LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jackie Robinson’s legacy is being celebrated around the major leagues on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, marking the 78th anniversary of his debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson's historic achievement preceded President Harry S. Truman's desegregation of the military in 1948. Robinson served in the Army for two years before his pro baseball career. He made a cultural impact not only through his success on the field. His character and his belief in nonviolence in the face of harassment by fans and racist attitudes among some of his fellow players won Robinson widespread respect and admiration.
After his career ended, Robinson campaigned for civil rights, was active in politics and spoke out about baseball's lack of minority managers and personnel at MLB headquarters. “I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me,” he said. “All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.” On opening day this year, 6.2% of MLB players were Black, up from 6% in 2024 and the first year-over-year improvement since 2018, according to MLB.com.
What is Jackie Robinson Day? It's the day every year that Major League Baseball honors Robinson. His debut on April 15, 1947, ended 80 years of segregation in the sport. It's celebrated at every major league park hosting games that day. It was first held in 2004.
Who was Jackie Robinson? Jack Roosevelt Robinson broke baseball's color line when he started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers at the relatively advanced age of 28. Until the team signed him, Black players had been relegated to the Negro Leagues since the 1880s. Born in Georgia, Robinson grew up in Pasadena, California, where his family encountered racism and his brother, Mack, could only find work as a street sweeper after winning a silver medal behind Jesse Owens in the 200 meters at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Robinson participated in football, baseball, basketball and track at Pasadena Junior College and UCLA, where he became a star football player for the Bruins. Robinson's name and likeness now adorns various sites around Pasadena, including the historic Rose Bowl. He played 10 years with the Dodgers, earning the Rookie of the Year award in 1947, was a six-time All-Star and became the first Black player to win the National League Most Valuable Player award in 1949. He played in six World Series and contributed to the Dodgers' 1955 championship team. He was inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame in 1962, his first year of eligibility. Robinson died at age 53 of a heart attack in 1972. He's buried at Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn.
Why was Robinson in the news recently? A Department of Defense webpage describing Robinson’s military service was restored last month after it was missing. Pages honoring a Black Medal of Honor winner and Japanese American service members were taken down, which the Pentagon said was a mistake. The Defense Department has been removing online content singling out contributions by women and minority groups, which President Donald Trump's administration considers to be diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Why are all players wearing No. 42? Robinson wore No. 42 during his playing days with the Dodgers. In 2009, every player, manager, and coach began wearing the number to honor Robinson, which can make identifying them confusing. The umpires also wear the number, the only one universally retired by all major league teams.
Why is Jackie Robinson Day on April 15? The date marks the anniversary of Robinson's debut in 1947. It was also opening day in baseball that season. He started at first base and went 0 for 3, but reached base on an error and scored the winning run in a 5-3 victory over the Boston Braves in Brooklyn.
Cincinnati Reds infielder Elly De La Cruz is expected to wear Nike Griffey 2 MCS Jackie Robinson Day cleats to honor Jackie Robinson. Ken Griffey Jr.'s Swingman logo is embroidered on the heel of the shoe, and "42" logos in colors representing MLB teams are featured, with additional "42" branding on the insoles. Every player league-wide is wearing No. 42 on their jersey and hat to honor Robinson, thanks to Griffey. Last year, De La Cruz wore custom Jordan 4 shoes with "JRD" and "42" on them for Jackie Robinson Day. Teammate Hunter Greene is a Nike client as well.
Ken Griffey Jr. was the first to ask to wear No. 42 on Jackie Robinson Day. In 1997, on the 50th anniversary of Robinson's big-league debut, then-MLB commissioner Selig retired Robinson's number. Griffey, who was playing for Seattle at the time, asked to switch from his No. 24 to Robinson's 42. Griffey said Selig suggested asking Rachel Robinson, Jackie's widow. Griffey was told he could wear No. 42, with the offer also extended to any player wanting to honor Robinson in such a way. In 2009, Selig announced that everyone in uniform would wear the number on Jackie Robinson Day.
Each year on April 15, Major League Baseball commemorates Jackie Robinson Day. MLB employees, through MLB Together and in partnership with the non-profit organization Henry Street Settlement, started the celebration with a volunteer opportunity at the Commissioner’s Office on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Over 50 MLB employees took part in assembling 200 hygienic "shower kits" for New Yorkers in need. The Henry Street Settlement was founded in 1893 by Lillian Wald. MLB is the first corporate partner to take part in any sort of "shower kit" packing initiative with the non-profit.
Amelia DeCeanne, senior coordinator of community affairs at MLB, said, “We all know Jackie Robinson as a great baseball player, but he was also just such a great humanitarian. And so for us as MLB Together to really celebrate that and be able to give back like he did … It's really an honor to be able to do that as Major League Baseball.”
Events like these serve to further establish MLB’s role in the sports world as a leader in community service and outreach, values that Jackie Robinson carried with him every day. “Everyone knows these days, time is money,” Chung said. “Employee time is more valuable than ever before in times like this, and for MLB to be able to carve out this time for a purpose like this, I think is really meaningful.”
Jackie Robinson Day is a time not only to reflect on the accomplishments of a great athlete but also to recognize the ongoing fight for equality and inclusion in sports and society. As MLB continues to honor Robinson's legacy, the hope is that his spirit of perseverance and dedication will inspire future generations both on and off the field.
