Dodgers celebrate Jackie Robinson Day
It’s the 65th anniversary since integrating baseball
The Los Angeles Dodgers joined the rest of Major League Baseball in celebrating Jackie Robinson Day on Monday, April 16, marking the 65th anniversary of his breaking baseball’s color barrier.
Ceremonial first pitches were thrown by Don Newcombe, a teammate of Robinson’s with the Brooklyn Dodgers and now a Dodgers special adviser to the chairman, and Tommy Davis, who signed with the Dodgers in 1956 after receiving a call from Robinson.
Seven of the Dodgers’ “Team 42” scholars, who receive college scholarships through the Dodgers Dream Foundation and the Jackie Robinson Foundation, were recognized on the field before the game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers Dream Foundation, the team’s charitable arm, funds 42 college scholarships each year as part of the “Team 42” program.
The First AME Church Unity Choir performed the national anthem and “God Bless America.” A video will be shown highlighting Robinson’s story.
All uniformed personnel—players, managers, coaches and umpires—throughout Major League Baseball will wear Robinson’s No. 42 Sunday. The number was retired throughout Major League Baseball in 1997 on the 50th anniversary of Robinson’s breaking the color line.
Commissioner Bud Selig allowed it to be worn in 2007 by any player on the 60th anniversary on the suggestion of then-Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr.
This is the sixth consecutive year on Major League Baseball’s Jackie
Robinson Day that all Dodger personnel have worn the number and the fourth consecutive year all major league personnel also wore the number.
“Jackie Robinson changed the world,” Dodger outfielder Matt Kemp said. “If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be wearing this baseball jersey right now. Who knows what would have happened?”
To Kemp, Robinson was a “great man, great man of character.” Dodger first baseman James Loney said “it means a lot” to be able to wear Robinson’s number.
“Playing in the organization he played for is really special,” Loney said.
One No. 42 jersey from each team will be signed and auctioned off on
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The City Council celebrated the 12th annual Jackie Robinson Day in Los Angeles today, three days before the 66th anniversary of his breaking baseball’s color line.
A bio-pic on Robinson, “42,” also opened this week.
“There’s a lot of energy out here because of the movie that’s out, but the energy has been here all along,” Councilman Ed Reyes said.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Los Angeles Dodgers will join the rest of Major League Baseball today in celebrating Jackie Robinson Day exactly 66 years after he broke baseball’s color line, with his widow, Rachel, his daughter, Sharon, and son, David, scheduled to attend the game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium.
The larger-than-life story of baseball great Jackie Robinson will open on the big screen this month along with the beginning of the new baseball season.
“42” is slated to open on April 12, just three days before the 66th anniversary of Robinson’s debut game that broke baseball’s color barrier.
The film follows Robinson, the first African American to play Major League Baseball, as he plays for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and highlights the bond that formed between Robinson and Dodgers general manager and president, Branch Rickey.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles Dodger fans will get their first chance to see the off-season improvements to Dodger Stadium tonight when the team faces the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in an exhibition game.
The improvements include new high-definition video boards in left field and right field; a new sound system; what is described as a state-of-the-art Wi-Fi network and cellular antenna system to support cellphone and Internet connectivity from mobile devices; wider concourses; expanded and renovated
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—The City Council today threw its support behind an effort to give Los Angeles Dodgers fans a chance to own the ball club.
The council approved a resolution calling on Congress to make such an ownership change possible. Councilwoman Janice Hahn, who is running for Congress and introduced the motion, said she is not proposing the city of Los Angeles take ownership of the team, but rather to let fans invest during a public offering.
