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Jackie Robinson Day: Baseball’s Stage of Equality

By Michael Johnson

American baseball player Jackie Robinson (1919 - 1972) grounds a ball at first place while warming up for an exhibition game against the New York Yankees, Ebbets Field, NYC, 1950s. (Photo by Hulton|Archive/Getty Images)
American baseball player Jackie Robinson (1919 - 1972) grounds a ball at first place while warming up for an exhibition game against the New York Yankees, Ebbets Field, NYC, 1950s. (Photo by Hulton|Archive/Getty Images) /
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As every Major League ballplayer approached their locker yesterday, they all had something in common – a No. 42 jersey was waiting for them to pull on and button up. No nameplate. No patch referencing their regularly assigned jersey number. Just the No. 42.

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson made his MLB debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers becoming the first minority ballplayer to play in a Major League Baseball game. 71 years later each MLB team participates in a tradition commemorating and honoring the most impactful event to ever take place in MLB history.

Back in April of 2004, Seattle Mariners great Ken Griffey Jr called former MLB Commissioner Bud Selig at his home. All he was hoping for was permission to change his own number for a day. He wanted to honor the man who broke the color barrier, affording him the opportunity to live out his dream. Little did Junior know, that conversation would lead to one of the most popular and meaningful traditions that continues annually in MLB today.

Although Jackie Robinson played his entire 10-year career as a Brooklyn Dodger, his No. 42 has been retired by every one of the 30 MLB teams. There will never be another professional baseball player assigned No. 42. That number belongs to Jackie and will forever represent a movement that has provided many young men of all shapes, sizes, and color the opportunity to play this game professionally. No. 42 no longer represents a player, but instead represents equality. And on one day each year – Jackie Robinson Day – the players unite and play as one. No. 42.
Although Jackie Robinson played his entire 10-year career as a Brooklyn Dodger, his No. 42 has been retired by every one of the 30 MLB teams. There will never be another professional baseball player assigned No. 42. That number belongs to Jackie and will forever represent a movement that has provided many young men of all shapes, sizes, and color the opportunity to play this game professionally. No. 42 no longer represents a player, but instead represents equality. And on one day each year – Jackie Robinson Day – the players unite and play as one. No. 42. /

Watching several MLB games yesterday, I couldn’t help but notice the overwhelming impact Jackie Robinson had on the game. Generally, I turn on a game and don’t think twice about the ethnicity of the players on the field. On April 15th of each year though, there is a heightened awareness that takes over with 18 No. 42s running on and off the field each half inning.

As an example of just how impactful this day in history has been, let’s zero in on the Mariners lineup in yesterday’s game vs the Athletics. Of the 10 Mariners starters yesterday, six of them would have never been found in a professional baseball box score prior to 1947. Dee Gordon, Jean Segura, Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, Guillermo Heredia, and Felix Hernandez. All players who might never have been allowed on that field yesterday if it weren’t for the courage of Jackie Robinson. It is hard to imagine today, but that was and is the reality.

Finally, thank you to Ken Griffey Jr for coming up with an idea that has become an annual reflection on our game’s past. An idea that has allowed us to celebrate the diversity and equality displayed on ball fields all across this country day in and day out.

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To some April 15th is just another day at the ballpark. But to me, it’s a day of reflection. Jackie Robinson Day is about more than baseball. It is about the American dream, the opportunities that thousands have been afforded because of the courage of a few. On a day like yesterday, I find myself proud that the game I love – baseball – stands on its grand stage and announces to all who choose to tune in, we are equals thanks to No. 42.

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