42 is the Only Number Retired in Baseball: The True Story
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42 is the number retired in baseball in honor of Jackie Robinson. It’s the only number retired across all Major League Baseball teams. Learn the true story behind this significant number.
The Number 42
The number 42 is significant for a few reasons. It was the number worn by Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play Major League Baseball. The number has been retired by every team in MLB in honor of Robinson. It is also the only number that has been retired by every team in any of the four major professional sports leagues in the US.
The number’s history in baseball
The number 42 has a storied history in baseball. It was retired by every major league team in 1997 to honor the legacy of Jackie Robinson, the first African American player in the sport. But before Robinson broke the color barrier, 42 was just another number on a player’s uniform.
The number was first worn by Lou Gehrig, one of the greatest players of all time. Gehrig played for the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1939 and was a member of six World Series-winning teams. He was an All-Star eight times and won two MVP awards. In 1939, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurological disease that eventually took his life. Gehrig’s disease is now commonly referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s disease.”
After Gehrig’s retirement, Robinson took over the number 42 and made it his own. He wore it during his 10-year career with the Brooklyn Dodgers, during which time he won Rookie of the Year, an MVP award, and a World Series championship. Robinson is widely regarded as one of the most influential athletes of all time.
The number 42 was retired by Major League Baseball in 1997 to honor Jackie Robinson’s legacy as the first African American player in the sport. Every team in MLB wears Jackie Robinson Day patches on their uniforms every year on April 15, the day that Robinson made his debut in 1947.
The number’s retirement in 1997
The number 42 was retired by Major League Baseball in 1997. It is the only number to be retired league-wide. The retirement ceremony took place on April 15, 1997, which marked the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Every player who was wearing 42 at the time was given the option to keep wearing it. However, no new players have been given permission to wear the number since its retirement.
The True Story
Most baseball fans know that 42 is the only number ever to be retired throughout the entire sport. What many don’t know, however, is the story behind why this number is so special. Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball, was the one to originally wear the number 42. In 1997, on the 50th anniversary of Robinson’s debut into the MLB, Commissioner Bud Selig permanently retired the number 42.
The number’s connection to Jackie Robinson
Most people know that 42 is the only number that has been retired across all of Major League Baseball. But what many don’t know is the true story behind why this number has such significance.
The number 42 was first retired by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 in honor of Jackie Robinson, who was the first African American player to break the color barrier in baseball. Robinson donned the number 42 during his entire 10-year career with the Dodgers, and it has since become synonymous with his legacy.
In 1997, on the 50th anniversary of Robinson’s debut, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig announced that 42 would be retired across all major league teams. This decision was made to further honor Robinson’s memory and to stress the importance of diversity and inclusion in baseball.
Since then, every team in MLB has retired the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson, and it is now considered one be a sacred number in baseball history.
The number’s retirement in honor of Robinson
The number 42 was retired throughout Major League Baseball in 1997, on the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier. All players currently wearing 42 were grandfathered in and allowed to continue to wear the number.
Robinson’s widow, Rachel Robinson, threw out the first pitch at the game between the Dodgers and Mets on April 15, 1997, at Shea Stadium. At Dodger Stadium, a statue of Robinson was unveiled, and a ceremony was held before the game between the Mets and Dodgers. All of the active players wore Robinson’s number during the game.
