On Monday, Major League Baseball announced a partnership with the Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) to create a year-long schedule of events aimed at honoring Jackie’s legacy in baseball and throughout society. Beginning Thursday, January 31st (which would have been Robinson’s 100th birthday ) MLB will hold Play Ball events tied to Robinson’s baseball journey, a traveling museum exhibit, efforts from all 30 MLB teams plus fund-raising and awareness efforts throughout the year.
The new initiative will serve as an extension of Jackie Robinson Day, which the league has observed on April 15 since 2004. The league-wide celebration of Jackie Robinson Day has become one of the most important dates on MLB’s calendar, commemorating the anniversary of Robinson becoming the first African-American player in league history. Every year, the players pay their respects by wearing Robinson’s retired No. 42. However stating this year, he celebration will not be limited to one game or one ballpark on one single day, or even one week.
In addition to the added community events, the Jackie Robinson celebration will carry over to MLB-licensed video games.
More details on the events to be held throughout the year can be found in the link below.
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