MLB Celebrates the 75th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s Debut
April 15, 2022
Today, Major League Baseball (MLB), in coordination with the Jackie Robinson family, MLB Clubs and various partners are hosting new and refreshed tributes to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s historic MLB debut. Since 2004, Jackie Robinson Day has been commemorated on April 15, the day that Robinson helped change American society when he broke baseball's color barrier, becoming the first African American to play for an MLB team, the Brooklyn Dodgers back in 1947.
From his birthplace in Cairo, GA to New York City, where he changed the game and the country, to Los Angeles, where he grew up and where his Dodgers reside, Jackie Robinson’s importance to sport and society are being recognized today, representing MLB's most ambitious celebrations to date. The partners will educate on his life’s accomplishments and legacy, while also spearheading initiatives that support communities and meaningfully address diversity and inclusion at all levels of the sport.
“Seventy-five years ago, Jackie Robinson took the field under incredibly challenging circumstances and unimaginable pressure. Yet through his courage, character, skill and values, he brought well-needed change to our game and advanced the Civil Rights Movement in our country,” said Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr.
“During this special anniversary year, it is a top priority for MLB to honor Jackie’s contributions and legacy, recognize the impact Rachel [Robinson's widow] has made through the Jackie Robinson Foundation, and continue to keep Jackie’s memory and values alive for today’s generation of players and fans.”
Black Americans have played baseball since the game spread across the US during the Civil War. However, beginning in the 1860s, Black Americans were barred from the highest levels of organized baseball by racist Jim Crow laws, segregation and unwritten agreements between team owners.
After signing a contract with MLB on April 15 in 1947, Robinson took first base on Ebbets field to play for the then Brooklyn Dodgers. Shortly after, he was awarded the first-ever ‘Rookie of the Year Award’ by The Sporting News, which was renamed the ‘Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award’ in 1987.
Throughout his life, even before his Hall of Fame baseball career, Robinson stood up for social justice and fought against racial inequality. Robinson believed that “a life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives,” and set an example of positive change and activism that is still as relevant today as it was back then.
“Our family is thrilled to see the many wonderful tributes to Jack’s historic moment 75 years ago,” said Rachel Robinson. “We will continue to honor his memory and legacy through our work with the Jackie Robinson Foundation. We are proud to have Major League Baseball and so many others as supporters of the young men and women we impact each year.”
Robinson passed away in 1972 from a heart attack. In 1973 his wife Rachel Robinson established the Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) to perpetuate the memory of her husband. JRF administers one of the nation’s premier scholarship and leadership development programs for minority college students. In 2020, MLB expanded its philanthropic partnership with the JRF to include greater investment in its scholarship program and exposure to MLB careers. The $3.5 million commitment to JRF also includes support for the Jackie Robinson Museum.
Historically, MLB and its Clubs have contributed approximately $20 million to the Jackie Robinson Foundation, including supporting college scholarships for more than 150 JRF scholars.
The 75th Anniversary celebrations encompass a wide range of activations. Here are just a few:
- MLB produced a powerful visual tribute titled, ‘Play, Run, Win, Rise’, that reflects on Jackie’s legacy as a Hall of Fame and trailblazing player, social justice advocate, civil rights icon and pioneer in business and broadcasting. The video also highlights the critical influence Rachel Robinson has had on their family’s legacy, particularly through the Jackie Robinson Foundation. It was written by Eljon Wardally and narrated by famed actor and singer Leslie Odom Jr.
- The Milwaukee Brewers, in partnership with Everfi, launched the Jackie Robinson Art Challenge, encouraging Wisconsin fans under 18 years old to use their creativity and imagination to submit an original artistic expression that captures the spirit of one or more of Jackie Robinson’s values.
- The Los Angeles Dodgers are kicking off a reading series in partnership with Longfellow Elementary School in Pasadena, where every student will receive the book, ‘I am Jackie Robinson’. In the evening, the Dodgers’ pregame will include a 50/50 Raffle with proceeds benefitting JRF scholarships, and tomorrow they will unveil phase two of the Jackie Robinson Stadium, Rachel Robinson Field, Field 42 and Kershaw’s Fitness and Training Zone at Gonzales Park in Compton.
- In association with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, hundreds of Mayors from across the United States and Puerto Rico will participate in a social media campaign to “Tip Their Caps” to Jackie Robinson today.
- On April 9th, MLB began a 12-city ID Tour to identify African-American and Latino baseball talent (in grades 8-10) within underserved communities across the country. The goal is to discover the best athletes, whether they are playing baseball or not, to invite them to future baseball development programs, such as the Breakthrough Series, DREAM Series or Hank Aaron Invitational, many of which will be held at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex.
MLB.com and all 30 club sites will have extensive editorial content and coverage highlighting each team's special connection with Robinson, as well as special features that explore his impact as a baseball pioneer and his influence over today's players.