Jackie Robinson was a pioneer for the game of baseball and the civil rights movement, first stepping foot onto a baseball field 64 years ago today as the first African-American player in Major League Baseball. It is no wonder baseball recognizes the Georgia native the way it does today.
↵The Braves are included in the ceremonies of the day. The biggest news of the day is the launching of IAM42.com, which is a social media project that allows fans to post video tributes to Robinson, telling their stories of how his heroic acts affected them.
↵Included in the project are video tributes by major league players, including Atlanta's own Jason Heyward.
↵↵↵"Jackie Robinson Day to me means he was a great person, one, but for the game of baseball and for the civil rights movement, of course," said Heyward, the Braves' second-year outfielder. "And for the people all across the world to show that we can put differences aside and play a game of baseball, and all be entertainment no matter what the ethnicity."
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As in previous years, all major league players will wear No. 42 in honor of Robinson. The number is retired by every team in baseball and is brought out once a year for this occasion. The Robinson family will be present at Yankee Stadium for a ceremony prior to their game at 7:05 on MLB Network.
↵For the Braves, they will have a pregame ceremony featuring a video of Robinson's story. The bases and lineup cards will be specially made for the event.