Everybody's wearing number 42.

[Jeebo]

I'm watching the Braves at Phillies baseball game. Every player on both teams is wearing number 42. Does anybody know why? They probably explained it early in the broadcast, but I was doing other things and not listening closely.

-- Ron

[RDANGELO]

1. That was Jackie Robinson's number.

[Thomas Hurt]

2. Jackie Robinson

[underpants]

3. Jackie Robinson Day

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/mlb-to-celebrate-jackie-robinson-day-today/2420262/

[Ohiogal]

4. They are honoring Jackie Robinson this weekend.

Everyone wears his number 42. They do this every year.

[mr_lebowski]

5. It's the 75th anniversary (Friday I think) of Robinson's first game

or being picked up or something to that effect.

ALSO Chadwick Boseman played Jackie in the movie 42.

And died on the day of the 75th anniversary.

So I bet it has some special meaning this year.

[amb123]

8. Branch Rickey signed Robinson to the Dodgers on August 28, 1945

It's the 75th anniversary of that.

First Minor League game: March 17, 1946

First Major League game: April 15, 1947

[lapfog_1]

6. this

and this

[locks]

7. Jackie Robinson Day

is usually April 15 because that's the day in 1947 when he broke the infamous color line in baseball. But all the teams decided to honor Jackie and all baseball players who finally have decided to stand up (or kneel) in protest of racism and the sad actions of police against blacks. There aren't many black players but be sure to thank all players in all sports who are working to bring equity and destroy racism.

[Under The Radar]

9. I guess you have to be a "boomer" to understand

[packman]

10. Might have something to do with the passing of Chadwick Boseman

who starred in the Movie 42 portraying Robinson, but probably was a tribute to Robinson

[SharonAnn]

11. And, it's the answer to the "question about life, the universe, and everything."

According to “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.”

[Jeebo]

12. Thanks for clearing that up for me, y'all.

I noticed watching Sports Center highlights that other teams were all wearing that number today, too. I'm actually a little embarrassed about my ignorance, but that was the first major league baseball game I have watched from beginning to end since 2019. For the past few months I've been preoccupied with politics instead.

-- Ron