Major League Baseball has found a new way to honor the legend Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier for professional baseball.
The news: MLB players, managers, coaches and umpires will all wear Robinson’s jersey number, No. 42, today, which has happened every year since 2009, per the Associated Press.
- But this year, MLB players will wear No. 42 in Dodger blue, which is a change from previous years, when teams would wear the number in their regular colors.
75 years ago today, Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play Major League Baseball.
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 15, 2022
Today, we honor his legacy. #JackieRobinsonDay pic.twitter.com/K7JXnksN64
Why it’s happening: The change comes as 2022 marks the 75th anniversary of Robinson joining the Brooklyn Dodgers, shattering the color barrier in MLB, according to the Associated Press.
- There will also be a 75th-anniversary logo on the umpire uniforms.
The bigger picture: Robinson made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, per NBC News.
- He had previously played for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Leagues before signing with the Dodgers’ minor league team in Montreal.
- Robinson then began playing for the Dodgers in 1947.