MLB to honor Jackie Robinson with league-wide tribute

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Last edited Mon Apr 14, 2014, 08:14 PM - Edit history (1)

All Players to Once Again Wear Number 42 on April 15th with Clubs Hosting On-field Ceremonies at Ballparks

MLB Hosted a Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities Clinic Near Yankee Stadium featuring MLB Network Analysts Harold Reynolds and Cliff Floyd and Players from the Yankees and Red Sox

Major League Baseball will celebrate Jackie Robinson Day on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 to honor the legacy of the legendary Hall of Famer, and for the sixth consecutive year, all players and on-field personnel will wear Number 42. The annual celebration to commemorate the 67th anniversary of Robinson breaking Baseball's color barrier in 1947 will feature on-field, pre-game ceremonies in ballparks throughout the League, including a special celebration featuring the families of Jackie Robinson and Nelson Mandela at Yankee Stadium.

"Jackie Robinson is an American icon whose accomplishments and leadership continue to inspire us in Baseball and our society at large," Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig said. "Major League Baseball proudly celebrates his enduring legacy, which is reflected by extraordinary on-field diversity of players from all backgrounds, enthusiastic participation in youth baseball and softball, and proven results in diverse business efforts."

"I am quite proud that when Jack stepped onto the field on April 15, 1947, and broke the color barrier in baseball, he helped to further social change in America," said Rachel Robinson. "On behalf of our family and the Jackie Robinson Foundation, we are thrilled that Major League Baseball continues to honor him and works to ensure that what he stood for will not be forgotten by future generations."

The annual MLB Diversity Business Summit, which is co-hosted by the New York Yankees, will be held in New York City on Monday, April 14th and on Jackie Robinson Day on Tuesday, April 15th. The Summit is the premier sports employment conference and supplier diversity trade fair, and uniquely and directly connects attendees with decision-makers for employment and business opportunities from all 30 MLB Clubs, MLB Network, MLB Advanced Media, Minor League Baseball Clubs and MLB's Central Office in New York City. Various elements of the third annual MLB Diversity Business Summit include a keynote speech by Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig, league-wide networking, matchmaking sessions for entrepreneurs, interviews for job seekers, panel discussions, workshops and more.

Yesterday, MLB held a clinic for Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) youth from the greater New York City area at Macombs Dam Park, which is across the street from Yankee Stadium, featuring Sharon Robinson, Jackie's daughter, MLB Educational Programming Consultant and author, MLB Network Analysts Harold Reynolds and Cliff Floyd as well as Jackie Bradley, Jr. of the Boston Red Sox and Dellin Betances of the New York Yankees. The RBI program is the MLB youth initiative designed to give young people from underserved communities, ages 5 to 18, the opportunity to play baseball and softball, encourage academic success and teach the value of teamwork and other important life lessons.
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