Major League Baseball is celebrating Jackie Robinson Day on April 15, the 79th anniversary of Robinson’s 1947 debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers, which broke baseball’s color barrier. 

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Born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia, Robinson was the youngest of five children in a sharecropping family. His father left when he was a baby, and his mother, Mallie, moved the family to Pasadena, California, in 1920, seeking a better life. A gifted multi-sport athlete, Robinson excelled in football, basketball, track and field, baseball, and tennis in high school and set a national junior college record in the long jump at Pasadena Junior College. He later attended UCLA before leaving to support his family.

Robinson faced discrimination both on and off the field, but grew stronger through adversity. Drafted into the Army in 1942, he served as a second lieutenant in a segregated unit and was honorably discharged in 1944. He then signed with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues before Branch Rickey chose him to integrate Major League Baseball.

Despite relentless racism from fans, opponents, and even some teammates, Robinson played with grace and resolve. He was named the 1947 Rookie of the Year, earned six All-Star selections, won the 1949 National League MVP award, helped the Dodgers capture the 1955 World Series, and retired with a .311 career batting average and 197 stolen bases.

On Wednesday, every on-field player, coach, and umpire will commemorate the day by wearing Robinson’s iconic No. 42 in Dodger Blue — regardless of each club’s primary colors — along with royal blue “42” socks from Stance. Each team’s caps will also feature a “42” side patch.

MLB is launching a new campaign titled “We Are Jackie,” which includes a dedicated video spot airing across MLB media outlets and narrated by Hall of Famer CC Sabathia. The initiative features a social media interview series with current and former players who discuss how Robinson’s legacy of courage, equality, and leadership has shaped their careers. 

Teams across the league are holding special pregame ceremonies, youth academy events, and community recognitions. The Houston Astros will dedicate all pregame activities to Robinson, including a private “Breaking Barriers” panel with players, coaches, and Astros Youth Academy participants. A Youth Academy player will throw a ceremonial first pitch, the national anthem will be performed by Jeanette Spinks, the first African American police sergeant for the Houston Police Department, and the “Play Ball” call will be made by JC Hartman, the Astros’ first African American player. Some 350 Astros Nike Jr. RBI League players will attend the game.

The Texas Rangers will educate fans about Robinson’s legacy through coordinated storytelling across Rangers Sports Network television and radio broadcasts of Wednesday night’s game against the Athletics, as well as dedicated content on the club’s social media platforms.

Other clubs are marking the day with youth clinics, scholarship recognitions, art contests, broadcast tributes, and donations to local programs that promote baseball access and community leadership in Robinson’s name.

Jackie Robinson Day was established in 2004 and has since become one of baseball’s most unifying traditions.