Jackie Robinson, the man who broke the color barrier
in Major League baseball, was the first African-American
to ever play in the majors. His debut was April 15, 1947, 63 years ago today. Baseball honors this day by wearing his #42 on everyone's uniform, including players, coaches and managers.
Uniform #42 was retired by Major League Baseball in 1997. No future players will be allowed to wear his #42. At that time though, a handful of players currently wearing #42, were allowed to continue to wear #42. Today, only Yankee's pitcher Mariano Rivera still wears #42.
What I learned today was that his #42 was not chosen by him, but given to him because it was available. He actually wore #10 in the Minors. If he kept #10, all players would be wearing #10 today. Catcher Bruce Edwards wore #10 for the Brooklyn Dodgers at that time.
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