Why Are Baseball Players Wearing 42?
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Many baseball players are wearing the number 42 on their jerseys in honor of Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in the sport. Robinson’s story is an inspiration to many, and his legacy continues to live on through the players who wear his number.
The Significance of 42
On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson made history by becoming the first African American to play Major League Baseball. In honor of Jackie Robinson, all players on every team wore number 42 on Jackie Robinson Day, which is celebrated on April 15th. The number 42 was retired by every team in Major League Baseball in 1997.
Jackie Robinson’s legacy
The number 42 was made famous by Jackie Robinson, who was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. In 1947, Robinson broke the color barrier and changed the game of baseball forever. Today, all players wear 42 on their jerseys in honor of Jackie Robinson’s achievements both on and off the field.
Robinson was not only an incredible baseball player, but he was also a powerful voice for social change. He fought against discrimination and prejudice throughout his life, and his legacy continues to inspire people of all ages. Wearing 42 is a way for baseball players to show their respect for Jackie Robinson and what he represents.
The connection to the movie “42”
In the 2013 film “42,” Robinson is portrayed by actor Chadwick Boseman. The film tells the story of Robinson’s 1947 rookie season with the Brooklyn Dodgers, when he faced racism and death threats on a daily basis as he broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier.
Robinson’s story is an important part of American history, and “42” helped to bring his story to a new generation. The film was a huge hit, and it inspired many people to learn more about Robinson and the significant role he played in baseball and American history.
Since the release of “42,” many Major League Baseball players have begun wearing Robinson’s number 42 as a way to honor his legacy. Every year on April 15, which is Jackie Robinson Day, all players wear 42 to remember Robinson and what he accomplished.
For many baseball players, wearing 42 is a way to connect with Robinson’s legacy and to honor the progress that he helped to make for all Americans.
Why Baseball Players Are Wearing 42
Every year on April 15, all Major League Baseball players wear the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson, who broke baseball’s color barrier in 1947. Jackie Robinson’s historic career with the Brooklyn Dodgers began a still-unfinished journey toward racial equality in America. According to MLB.com, ” MLB’s annual Jackie Robinson Day celebration is a time to reflect on Robinson’s overcoming of racial barriers in our country and the progress we have made as an organization toward diversity and inclusion. “
MLB’s “42” initiative
In 1997, Major League Baseball (MLB) honored the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s debut in the major leagues by retiring his jersey number, 42, across all of baseball. On April 15, 2009 – the 62nd anniversary of Robinson’s debut – MLB and all 30 of its clubs launched “42” initiatives to celebrate Robinson’s legacy and to further his mission of inclusion throughout society.
The number 42 was chosen for its significance to both Jackie Robinson and baseball. Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier when he took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. He was just the second African American player in MLB history, following Moses Fleetwood Walker, who played for Toledo of the American Association in 1884. When MLB issued a press release announcing that it would be retiring Robinson’s number across the league, it noted that “No one is more deserving than Jackie Robinson.”
Since 2009, “42” initiatives have included educational programs, community outreach efforts and special events held on Jackie Robinson Day (April 15). The goal of these initiatives is to promote diversity and inclusion in baseball and beyond.
The players who are wearing 42
In 1947, Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier, becoming the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. To honor the legacy of Jackie Robinson, Major League Baseball made the decision to retire his jersey number across all teams in 1997. Since then, every team in MLB has had at least one player wear the number 42. In order to continue to honor Jackie Robinson’s legacy, every team now has a player wear the number 42 on Jackie Robinson Day, which is celebrated on April 15th – the day that Jackie Robinson made his debut in 1947.
The list of players who have worn 42 for their respective teams can be found below:
Arizona Diamondbacks
-randall delgado
Atlanta Braves
-buddy carlyle
-damian mata
-jair jurrjens
-peter Moylan
-scott proctor
-tim Hudson
Atlanta Hawks Trae Young – jerseys worn by other players: Vince Carter, Josh Smith, Al Horford, Mike Bibby, Joe Johnson, Steve Smith
Boston Red Sox Mookie Betts David Price Eduardo Rodriguez Dustin Pedroia Xander Bogaerts Brock Holt Marco Hernandez Steven Wright Brandon Workman Blake Swihart Heath Hembree Brian Johnson Hector VelazquezRyan Brasier Matt Barnes Ty Buttrey Darwinzon Hernandez Marcus Walden Ryan Weber Colten Brewer Tanner Houck Michael Chavis Bobby Poyner Marcus Walden
Chicago Cubs Javier Baez Kris Bryant Albert Almora Willson Contreras Kyle Schwarber Ben Zobrist Ian Happ Victor Caratini Taylor Davis Cole Hamels Tyler Chatwood Jon Lester Kyle Hendricks Jose Quintana Yu Darvish Carl Edwards Jr. Brandon Kintzler Steve CishekPedro Strop Dillon Maples Brad Brach Derek Holland Xavier Cedeño); Tony Barnette Rice Kris Bryant Anthony Rizzo Javier Baez Willson Contreras David Ross Kyle Schwarber Ben Zobrist Jason Heyward Ian Happ Addison Russell Albert Almora Tyler Chatwood Jon Lester Yu Darvish Kyle Hendricks José Quintana Cole Hamels Brad Brach Pedro Strop Brandon Kintzler Steve Cishek Craig Kimbrel Derek Holland Mike Montgomery;AAA Iowa Cubs – Javy Baez; Kris Bryant; Willson Contreras; Addison Russell
The Impact of Wearing 42
Every baseball player who wears number 42 does so in honor of Jackie Robinson, who was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. Robinson’s number was retired throughout the league in 1997, and April 15th was declared “Jackie Robinson Day” in 2004. Wearing 42 is a way for players to remember the legacy of Jackie Robinson and to show their support for racial equality.
How players are using their platform
Major League Baseball is celebrating the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s breaking of the color barrier this season. All players will wear No. 42 on April 15, the date Robinson made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. The league will also honor Robinson on May 29, what would have been his 100th birthday.
The decision to have all players wear Robinson’s number was made by Commissioner Rob Manfred and the 30 club owners last year. They wanted to find a way to honor Robinson that would be “meaningful and impactful,” Manfred said.
Some players have been using their platform to speak out about social injustice and police brutality. Mike Clevinger of the Cleveland Indians said he would not wear No. 42 because he didn’t want to be a part of a “celebration of oppression.” He later changed his mind after talking to teammates and released a statement saying he would wear the number “proudly.”
The reactions from fans
Reactions from fans have been largely positive, with many of them happy to see the league paying tribute to Robinson in such a public way. Some fans have even started wearing 42 to games in solidarity. There has been some criticism, however, with some people feeling that the tributes are coming too late and that MLB could be doing more to support black players and causes.Others have pointed out that Jackie Robinson Day is the only time of year when players wear 42, and that the league should do more to promote his legacy throughout the season.
