75th Anniversary Of Jackie Robinson’s MLB Debut To Include MLBbro Legends & Celebrations at Iconic NYC Locations

by MLBbro Staff | Apr 15, 2022 | THE THREE SPOT

Ken Griffey Jr., Mariano Rivera, CC Sabathia, Joe Torre, Willie Randolph and Butch Huskey will all participate in multiple activities throughout the day as every player in baseball dons No. 42 in honor of the most important singular figure in MLB history, on the 75th anniversary of his racial-barrier breaking MLB debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on this day in 1947.

Activities to Honor Jackie’s Legacy Include Youth “PLAY BALL” Activation & Press Conference in Times Square, Empire State Building Lighting Ceremony and Street Renaming

WHO: 

Robert D. Manfred, Jr. – Commissioner of Baseball

Sonya Pankey – Eldest grandchild of Jackie and Rachel Robinson; Consultant, MLB

Ken Griffey Jr. – Baseball Hall of Famer; notably, the first player to request wearing “42” in honor of Jackie

Mariano Rivera – Baseball Hall of Famer; last Major Leaguer to wear “42” every game

CC Sabathia – Six-Time All-Star and 2007 Cy Young Award Winner; Co-Founder, The Players Alliance

Joe Torre – Hall of Fame Manager; Brooklyn native; Special Assistant to the Commissioner

Willie Randolph – Former All-Star second baseman, New York Yankees; former Manager, New York Mets

Butch Huskey – Last Mets player to wear “42”

SCHEDULE OF MLB ACTIVITIES IN HONOR OF JACKIE ROBINSON DAY/75TH ANNIVERSARY

7:30-9:00 a.m., “PLAY BALL” – Up to 50 kids, among five groups representing each of the five NYC boroughs, will participate in a special PLAY BALL baseball/softball activation on “Pedestrian Plaza” on Times Square.

Programs include: BedStuy Sluggers RBI (Brooklyn), DREAM Charter Schools (Manhattan), Castle Hill Little League & RBI (Bronx), Mid-Island Little League (Staten Island) and Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of NY (Queens).

Address: Outdoor Plaza on 44^th Street & 7^th Avenue

Key People Involved: ALL ABOVE

9:30 a.m., “Press Conference in Duffy Square” – Commissioner Manfred, Sonya Pankey and Ken Griffey Jr. will be among speakers at special press conference to celebrate the iconic day.

Address: Duffy Square on 47^th Street & 7^th Avenue

Key People Involved: ALL ABOVE + Representative of Mayor Adams’ administration

SPECIAL VISUAL REVEAL OF NYC STREET SIGNAGE HONORING JACKIE

Street signage will be headed to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown following April 15^th

10:30 a.m., CONFIDENTIAL – “Surprise Shopping Spree for Kids” – Legends will surprise the 50 kids from earlier in the morning with a shopping spree at MLB’s Official NYC Store.

Address: 1271 Avenue of the Americas

Key People Involved: ALL ABOVE

12:00 p.m., “Empire State Building Lighting Ceremony” – One icon will honor another as the Empire State Building will host a lighting ceremony for Jackie Robinson Day. The Empire State Building will shine its world-famous tower lights in blue and white with a rotating “42” on display that evening.

Address: 350 5^th Avenue

Key People Involved: Sabathia, Rivera, Torre, Randolph, Huskey and Meta Robinson (Jackie and Rachel granddaughter)

1:30 p.m., “NYC Street Signage Ceremony” – The special signage, which was unveiled at 9:30 a.m. press conference, will be formally placed at corner of 42^nd Street & Broadway.

Address: 42^nd Street & Broadway