MLB Honors 79th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson Day

Major League Baseball marked the 79th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the sport's color barrier on Wednesday, with every player, coach, manager and umpire across the league wearing his iconic No. 42 during games. The tradition, observed annually since 2009, honors Robinson's debut on April 15, 1947, when he started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers in a 5-3 victory over the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field in New York.

Robinson, a Georgia native raised in Pasadena, California, went hitless in four at-bats that day but scored the winning run in front of an announced crowd of 25,623. His arrival ended baseball's longstanding segregation policy, a milestone that faced fierce opposition from players, fans and executives. Over his 10-year career, all with the Dodgers, Robinson batted .311, earned Rookie of the Year honors in 1947, won the National League Most Valuable Player award in 1949, made six All-Star teams and helped lead the team to six pennants and a World Series title in 1955.

The league-wide commemoration included royal blue accents on uniforms, such as jersey numbers, caps with a 42 patch and socks, along with special base jewels, lineup cards and batting...