Robert Sabo.New York Daily News
Robinson Cano greets Rachel Robinson, Jackie's widow, while Derek Jeter speaks with Jackie's daughter Sharon (r.) at Yankee Stadium Sunday night.
If Yankees closer Mariano Rivera retires after this season, there no longer will be an active player in Major Le ague Baseball wearing No. 42. Rivera had to let that thought sink in on Jackie Robinson Day.
Being the last minority to be wearing this No. 42, its an honor and privilege and a challenge to carry this legacy of the number that is attached to his name, Rivera said Sunday.
PHOTOS: JACKIE ROBINSON HONORED AROUND BASEBALL
When the league decided that all players would wear No. 42 every April 15, the day that Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball in 1947, it was one of the greatest things that the sport could have done. While it doesnt erase one of the ugliest stains on American history, it provides an opportunity to reflect on just how far America has come and just how far it has to go with regards to race relations.
I dont think I can fully understand the sacrifices that he made and what he went through at that time. I didnt grow up during that time, Yankees ace CC Sabathia said. My parents did. It had to be tough. Its just good to be able to wear the number and to have guys recognize and understand that we wouldnt be here without him.
Sharon Robinson, Jackie Robinsons daughter, was at Yankee Stadium with her mother, Rachel, before the Yankees walloped the Angels on Sunday night. It was the 65th anniversary of her father breaking baseballs color barrier. She was only 6 years old when her father retired. She doesnt recall ever seeing him play, but she recognizes the significance of his legacy.
Here we are concerned with a decreasing number of African- Americans (in baseball) so its very important to bring back up the history and to think about how much we went through to get a fully integrated major league baseball. So it does resonate (today), Sharon Robinson said. Its important that the young people hear that story. So Im very happy the players feel that connected. In 1997 players were saying Jackie Who? So weve come a long way that they somehow feel theyre connected with the legacy.
Yankees center fielder Curtis Granderson was thinking of a way to honor Robinsons sacrifice when his shoe company asked him if he wanted to do something special with his customized shoes this year. Granderson had it create a pair of cleats bearing the No. 42 logo that he wore during Sunday nights game. He was to auction off the shoes and one of the two jerseys he wore following the game and donate the proceeds to the Jackie Robinson Foundation.
This day is the reason I get a chance to play this great game of baseball, Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier 65 years ago and doing a lot of things not only for baseball, but the civil rights movement, Granderson said, with a figurine of Jackie Robinson sliding into a base on the shelf in his locker behind him.
The number of African-Americans playing in the big leagues has been slowly declining over the years. Granderson doesnt see that as diminishi ng Robinsons legacy.
I dont think Jackies image was to get just African-Americans to play, because in the Negro Leagues you had Latin Americans playing baseball because they couldnt get a chance to play in the major leagues. It opened up doors for everybody. I think thats the one thing hed be proud of, Granderson said.
Angels right fielder Torii Hunter was one of the first players, along with Ken Griffey, Jr., to voluntarily wear Robinsons No. 42 jersey on April 15, long before it was instituted league-wide. Hunter sees Robinsons legacy whenever he looks around the Angels clubhouse.
On and off the field, all races, we all come together, Hunter said. We hang out. We look out for each other. Were like brothers. Jackie Robinson brought together a lot of people and now were showing love for every race thats out there.
Magic Johnson is part of a group of businessmen about to purchase the L.A. Dodgers. When the sale is finalized, Johnson will be the first African-American to own part of a major league team. Hunter believes that is significant in relationship to Robinsons legacy.
He (Johnson) is breaking ground, Hunter said. The Dodgers have done a lot of great things. They brought Jackie Robinson in as the first African-American player. Now they have Magic Johnson, the first African-American owner. Even a part ownership is great. I have a lot of respect for the Dodgers."
Can Johnsons part ownership of the Dodgers have an impact on increasing the number of African- American kids pursuing baseball careers?
Having an African-American owner like Magic Johnson, who is already a star and has won championships and is very much loved in California will help, Hunter said. I think its going to change a lot.
When I talk to a lot of my friends who I grew up with in Arkansas, theyre excited. Its there in the inner city. Trust me. They know.
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