Dodgers Will Honor Jackie Robinson, Confuse Score Keeper

As aptly described at Fark Sports, the Dodgers April 15th game against the Padres will be just like that old Bugs Bunny episode.

Playing first base for the Dodgers, # 42. Playing second base for the Dodgers, # 42. Pitching for the Dodgers, # 42.

Because as announced on the Dodgers official site, the team will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball in a unique way.

the Dodgers decided to have their entire team wear uniform No. 42 on Jackie Robinson Day in tribute to the late Hall of Famer who broke baseball's color barrier while wearing Dodger Blue.

Check out Sons of Steve Garvey who obtained a sneak peak at the Dodgers scoreboard for that night. Additionally, Juan Pierre and Marlon Anderson will conduct a youth clinic at the MLB Urban Youth Academy in South Central Los Angeles the previous day. While there's no possible way for baseball to thank and honor Jackie Robinson enough for what he went through and endured in paving the way for many future black players, the Dodgers are certainly making their attempts.

Furthermore, Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey Jr. will also wear jersey No. 42 in honor of Robinson on April 15th. Griffey Jr. petitioned the league to wear the number, since it was retired throughout baseball in 1997 on the 50th anniversary. Padres OF Mike Cameron will also wear No. 42 in honor of Robinson when they play the Dodgers on the 15th, and he will even go completely old school.
With the lack of black players in the game becoming an increasing concern recently, I am particularly proud that the Dodgers and many current players are making extraordinary efforts to honor Robinson.

On a personal note, my favorite team is the Angels, and three of my favorite players on the team are black -- Garret Anderson, Chone Figgins, and Howie Kendrick. I couldn't even imagine what my experience growing up would have been like without Anderson to cheer for.

Just thinking about it -- there are so many other players without whom my love for baseball would not be the same. Tony Gwynn, Albert Belle, Frank Thomas, Rickey Henderson, Kirby Puckett, Cecil Fielder, Kevin Mitchell, Johnny Ray, Vernon Wells, Dmitri Young...I know I'm leaving people off, but it's hard to include them all.

All I know is that my baseball experience, and I'm sure yours as well, would not be the same had Jackie Robinson, and a man who doesn't receive nearly as much credit as he deserves, Larry Doby, not broken the color barrier in baseball.

Thank you to Jackie Robinson, Larry Doby, Branch Rickey, the Dodgers, and everyone else who contributed to my enjoyment of the current multi-racial game.

Previously at FanHouse:
Before Civil Rights Game, Preston Wilson Looks at MLB's Race Issue
C.C. Sabathia Wants to See More Black People in the Locker Room