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| Jackie Robinson |
Friday marked the eighth annual Jackie Robinson Day throughout the Majors, commemorating and honoring Robinson, whose debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers, known today as the Los Angeles Dodgers, on April 15, 1947, ending years of baseball segregation.
Number 42 was the same number Robinson wore for Brooklyn from 1947-56.
Robinson, who is best known for becoming the first African-American major league baseball player of the modern era in 1947, the year he started 151 contests at first base for the Dodgers, including his historic debut on April 15 of that season.
The impact of his memorable career was recognized in 1997 when MLB retired Robinson’s number league-wide.
New York Yankees All-Star closer Mariano Rivera is the last player who will wear No. 42 regularly, because he is the only player still active who was wearing it at the time Robinson’s number was retired throughout the game.
"The number alone is a tremendous responsibility," Rivera said via MLB.com. "Being the last player to wear No. 42 is a blessing, a privilege and an honor. I always try to do my best."
In 2004, MLB designated every April 15 as Jackie Robinson Day.
Apart from multiple events throughout the league Friday, MLB has also launched the new IAM42.com online campaign, designed to provide fans a way to make a personal connection to the legacy of the Hall of Famer via online video sharing and social networking.
Personal tributes through video from 64 current players and legends are also featured in the site. Among the baseball greats and stars who gave tribute to Robinson were Hall of Famers Ernie Banks, Lou Brock and Andre Dawson; and MLB All-Stars Jason Heyward, Prince Fielder, David Price, Rivera and David Wright.
Meanwhile, one No. 42 jersey was signed by every player from every club after each game. It was auctioned off on MLB.com, with the proceeds going to the Jackie Robinson Foundation.
Every team, with the exception of the Braves and Mets, who were rained out in Atlanta, took part in the annual and unique festivities honoring Robinson.
