Jackie Robinson Day: Difference between revisions
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===2009=== |
===2009=== |
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The 2009 Jackie Robinson Day tribute is scheduled to be held at [[Citi Field]], the new home of the [[New York Mets]], where the Jackie Robinson Routunda is located. The |
The 2009 Jackie Robinson Day tribute is scheduled to be held at [[Citi Field]], the new home of the [[New York Mets]] as the second game ever to be played in that new facility, where the Jackie Robinson Routunda is located. The host Mets will play the [[San Diego Padres]] in that game, and the pre-game tribute will include the formal dedication of the rotunda in Robinson's honor. |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 22:20, 12 October 2008
Jackie Robinson Day is a traditional event which occurs annually in Major League Baseball, commemorating and honoring the day Jackie Robinson made his major league debut. Initiated for the first time on April 15, 2004, Jackie Robinson Day is celebrated each year on the same date. The festivity is a result of Robinson's memorable career, best known for becoming the first African-American major league baseball player of the modern era in 1947.[1][2] His debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers (today known as the Los Angeles Dodgers) ended approximately eighty years of baseball segregation, also known as the baseball color line, or color barrier.[2] He also was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, remembered for his services with the number 42 jersey.[2]
The gala is often celebrated at varied ballparks by Major League team players. Shea Stadium is one of the prominent venues hosting the event, having commemorated the retirement of Robinson's number 42 jersey in 2007. The numbered jersey is still worn to mark the event every year. Bob DuPuy described Jackie Robinson Day as a significance "not only for baseball, but for the USA in general."
History
2004
The first Jackie Robinson Day was on April 15, 2004.[3][4] That day was a start to an annual tradition throughout Major League Baseball and an inspirational reminder about what happened on that day exactly fifty-seven years earlier when Jackie Robinson became a Major League Baseball player.[3] The day would be the first official league-wide Jackie Robinson Day, having festivities taking place at all 13 ballparks where Major League games were scheduled to be played.[4] It began that Thursday morning with Sharon Robinson, ringing the ceremonial Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange.[4] Rachel Robinson (Jackie Robinson's wife), officials from the Major League Baseball foundation, and officials of the Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) took part in the special ceremony honoring Jackie Robinson.[4]
2005
April 15, 2005, was the 58th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's major league debut. Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig officially declared that April 15 was Jackie Robinson's day and it would be celebrated each year throughout Major League Baseball.[5][6] Every ballpark in Major League Baseball in the United States celebrated Jackie Robinson Day, unlike in 2004 when it was only celebrated in 13 ballparks.[5] Each ballpark showed a video tribute to Robinson, and many brought out Jackie Robinson Foundation scholars onto the field before the games.[5] In Cincinnati, Ohio, Ken Griffey Jr. spoke of how much every African-American baseball player owes Robinson, who was chosen by manager Branch Rickey to break the color line because of Robinson's inner courage and ability to keep his temper in check.[5]
2006
April 15, 2006, was the 59th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's major league debut. Rachel Robinson attended the ceremony, having former Negro Leagues players Robert Scott and Armando Vazquez also attending the ceremony.[6] His widow was honored and celebrated at Shea Stadium. After a video tribute on the scorebaord of Shea Stadium of Jackie Robinson, Rachel Robinson walked to the pitcher's mound before the New York Mets hosted the Milwaukee Brewers, along with Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, and New York Mets manager Willie Randolph.[6] "I've got a picture of Jackie in my office, so I think about that every day," Randolph said. "I'm just happy to be a part of this day."[6] A large blue, gray and white circle with "42" on it was put over home plate representing the colors of Jackie Robinson's uniform with the Dodgers as a major leaguer.[6]
2007
April 15, 2007, was the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's major league debut. Players were invited to wear the number 42 just for that day to commemorate Robinson. During the 2007 regular season, Ken Griffey, Jr. called Bud Selig to ask for permission to wear number 42 on Jackie Robinson Day.[3][7] Number 42 had been retired for every Major League Baseball team. This meant that no future Major League Baseball player could wear it. The number was retired in a ceremony which took place in 1997 at Shea Stadium to mark the 50th anniversary of Robinson's first game with the Dodgers.[8] Selig embraced the gesture and encouraged other Major League Baseball clubs to have a player wear number 42 on Jackie Robinson Day as well.[3][7] More than 200 players wore number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson's retired number, including the entire team rosters of the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, and Pittsburgh Pirates.[9]
2008
April 15, 2008, was the 61st anniversary of Jackie Robinson's major league debut. It was celebrated that night before the Mets played the Nationals at Shea Stadium.[10] When the teams took the field, all players, managers and coaches were wearing number 42, and was repeated at all other 14 ballparks that had scheduled games that day.[10] "The significance of Jackie Robinson Day is not lost on anyone," said Bob DuPuy. "As more and more people realize what April 15 means, not only for baseball, but for our country in general, I think you're going to see the celebration grow annually."[10] All members of the New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals, and Tampa Bay Rays teams wore number 42.
2009
The 2009 Jackie Robinson Day tribute is scheduled to be held at Citi Field, the new home of the New York Mets as the second game ever to be played in that new facility, where the Jackie Robinson Routunda is located. The host Mets will play the San Diego Padres in that game, and the pre-game tribute will include the formal dedication of the rotunda in Robinson's honor.
References
- ^ Rothe, p544
- ^ a b c "Jackie Robinson, Los Angeles Dodgers Hall of Fame Baseball PLayer, Civil Rights Leader and Humanitarian". africanamericans.com. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
- ^ a b c d "Jackie Robinson Day". Baseball-Almanac.com. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
- ^ a b c d "Ringing in Jackie Robinson Day". mlb.com. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
- ^ a b c d "Robinson honored throughout Majors". mlb.com. Retrieved 2008-10-06.
- ^ a b c d e "Jackie Robinson Day celebrated throughout majors". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
- ^ a b "Griffey, Jr., others to wear No. 42 as part of Jackie Robinson Day Tribute". MLB. 2007-04-05. Retrieved 2007-04-07.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Baseball remembers Jackie Robinson - International Herald Tribune". Iht.com. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
- ^ "A Measure of Respect for Jackie Robinson Turns Into a Movement". The New York Times. 2007-04-13. Retrieved 2007-04-15.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b c "Robinson's legacy celebrated at Shea". mlb.com. Retrieved 2008-10-07.