Did you know that the large number 42 on the fence of Nat Bailey Stadium in ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½Σ³»is there to honour the first Black person to ever play on a major league baseball team?
It's true. If you hadn't yet noticed it, next time you're there take a look just to the right of the foul pole out in right field.
Jackie Robinson broke the colour barrier in 1947 when he was brought onto the roster of the Brooklyn Dodgers, who went on the become the Los Angeles Dodgers. He wore the number 42.
In his first season, Robinson won the Rookie of the Year award and after that had a successful 10-season career in the majors. In six of those seasons, he won the National League batting title and was a member of the Dodgers when they won the World Series in 1955.
His number was retired in all of baseball in North America in 1997, 50 years to the day that he played his first game. Major league and minor league stadiums all across North America hung up the number 42, and each year the majors celebrate Jackie Robinson Day.
The day is generally held on April 15, which was the opening day of Robinson's first game in 1947. Every single player, coach, manager and all of the umpires in the MLB league wear the number 42 during their games in solidarity and to honour Robinson's legacy.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of Robinson's first game in the majors, and the Dodgers have marked it with a massive mural at their stadium, to complement many other nods to the man including a statue and of course his retired number which is displayed prominently throughout.
And while Robinson's legacy touches all of baseball there's also a direct connection to our minor league team, the ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½Σ³»Canadians.
The team was previously known as the Mounties, and four players on it also played on the Brooklyn Dodgers alongside him.
John "Spider" Jorgenson, Joe Hatten, Erv Palica, and Bruce Edwards all played on Jackie Robinson's Dodgers during his inaugural season in 1947.
And now you know.
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