The Los Angeles Dodgers and all teams are celebrating the 76th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the MLB color barrier on Saturday.
As is tradition for the April 15 date, players, managers and coaches will once again wear Robinson’s iconic No. 42 in Dodger Blue, regardless of their primary team colors. Additionally, all uniformed personnel and umpires will have New Era caps with a 42 side patch.
The Dodgers are honoring the legacy of Robinson in a multitude of ways, beginning on Saturday with a “Play It Forward” baseball clinic. Andre Jackson is providing instruction in the clinic along with former Dodgers plyers Andre Ethier, James Loney and Jerry Hairston Jr.
For a third consecutive season, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will gather the team, front office members and other personnel in front of the Jackie Robinson statue in the center field plaza of Dodger Stadium to reflect on the Hall of Famer’s impact.
Guests will speak in addition to Roberts, including several Jackie Robinson Foundation scholars as well as Jackie’s granddaughter, Ayo Robinson. Ayo Robinson is also be throwing out the first pitch ahead of the Jackie Robinson Day game against the Chicago Cubs.
Furthermore, all fans in attendance at Dodger Stadium on Saturday will take home a retro Jackie Robinson jersey. Fifty scholars and alumni from the Jackie Robinson Foundation will be honored on the field to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the organization by circling the 42 in the outfield.
The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will additionally continue its efforts in supporting the Jackie Robinson Foundation by donating proceeds from the 50/50 raffle and online auction.
Since 1987, the LADF has donated more than $3.5 million to the Jackie Robinson Foundation, which includes the team’s significant contribution to the Jackie Robinson Museum and LADF’s $200,000 annual support.
Nike releasing Jackie Robinson Air Force 1 ’07
Nike is releasing a limited-edition Jackie Robinson Air Force 1 ’07 on Saturday morning. This season’s Air Force 1 features Robinson’s No. 42 in red on the side of both shoes, along with baseball stitching down both heels.
The white upper is accented with a blue tongue that includes the Brooklyn Dodgers logo, blue Swoosh and “CHANGE THE WORLD” is printed in text throughout the shoelaces.
The shoe also includes lace buckles that commemorate the year Robinson broke the color barrier (1947) and when he retired (1956). Robinson famously decided to retire rather than continue playing after being traded to the New York Giants.
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