Jackie Robinson Day 2020: How Sports World Is Honoring MLB Icon

Tim Daniels @TimDanielsBRFeatured ColumnistApril 15, 2020

In this Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019 photo, news articles about Brooklyn Dodgers baseball player Jackie Robinson are displayed at the exhibit

Seth Wenig/Associated Press

Jackie Robinson Day, the annual recognition of the former Brooklyn Dodgers superstar breaking baseball's color barrier in 1947, moved forward Wednesday despite the MLB season being delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

MLB Network @MLBNetwork
Today we celebrate the legacy of Jackie Robinson. #Jackie42 https://t.co/PnrrhqjY9n

The lack of games prevented the usual tradition of players wearing Robinson's No. 42 on their jerseys to celebrate the occasion, but the league, teams and today's stars still honored the Hall of Famer for his critical contribution to baseball and society as a whole.

MLB @MLB
Jackie was, and always will be, larger than life. #Jackie42 https://t.co/ExOl4x5X1c

Here's a look at some of the reaction:

MLB Communications @MLB_PR
On @MLB platforms today, all players will wear number 42 to observe Jackie Robinson Day. https://t.co/K6GO20oU0C

Jackie Robinson Foundation @JRFoundation
On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African-American player in @MLB when he stepped onto Ebbets Field to compete for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Today, we celebrate an American hero and civil rights icon whose legacy endures on and off the field. #JackieRobinsonDay https://t.co/TyWgEXvBW9

New York Yankees @Yankees
Even though we are not on the field today, we honor Jackie Robinson’s contributions to the game of baseball and impact on society. #Jackie42 @MLB's 2020 #JackieRobinsonDay Guide: https://t.co/QVbOhVON99 https://t.co/IVVX75TldW

Mookie Betts @mookiebetts
He showed us what the world could become. #42 https://t.co/i9Bs27Ael0

Baltimore Orioles @Orioles
“He’s opened the doors for everyone to be able to play.” What 4️⃣2️⃣ means to @richiemartinjr, whose grandfather played with Jackie in the Negro Leagues. Check back at 1pm as Richie reads a children’s book about Jackie’s legacy. #Jackie42 https://t.co/ik7kRqxuh1

Curtis Granderson @cgrand3
“𝗔 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀.” Although baseball may be on pause, today is bigger than baseball. #JackieRobinsonDay https://t.co/NXGN7TYkC8

Atlanta Braves @Braves
Forever an icon. Thank you, Jackie. #Jackie42 https://t.co/2sWm3tS9js

MLBDevelops @MLBDevelops
Jackie, you were a man of action. How do we put our appreciation into words? #Jackie42 https://t.co/Tr2HmcR7yT

CC Sabathia @CC_Sabathia
April 15, 1947 until forever. His LEGACY is breaking the color barrier for every African American player to be in the big leagues, without him we wouldn’t be here! Today, we celebrate an icon on and off the field. #Jackie42 #JackieRobinsonDay https://t.co/bY0ObA5yiS

Marcus Stroman @STR0
Beyond thankful and grateful for the legendary life of this man. Your trailblazing efforts paved the way for African Americans to play the sport I love. THANK YOU 42! https://t.co/QpzkrXGjLN

Washington Nationals @Nationals
Jackie Robinson changed baseball forever. Jackie was a Hall of Fame player, person and pioneer to usher in a new era of baseball; one that promoted inclusion. We're physically apart today, but we stand together for Jackie Robinson. Thank you, Jackie. #Jackie42 https://t.co/BMz1mQzrwC

ESPN Stats & Info @ESPNStatsInfo
On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers, breaking Major League Baseball’s long-standing color barrier. Robinson was 0-3 in the game, but his run in the 7th inning proved to be the game-winner. He went on to win 1947 Rookie of the Year. https://t.co/NUbRQjAX5O

David Price @DAVIDprice24
Happy Jackie Robinson day! Eternally grateful for Mr. Robinson! I have been looking forward to this day since being traded to LA. Can’t wait to get back to doing what we love! In the meantime let’s just stay home and stay safe.

Sharon Robinson, Jackie's daughter, told Bill Ladson of MLB.com her father's ambitions went beyond baseball and that he continued his work after retirement.

"At the dinner table, the focus was on the Civil Rights Movement," she said. "So when he retired from baseball, he was excited to participate in the Civil Rights Movement in a different kind of way. It was built into his contract with Chock full o'Nuts [a coffee brand that employed Robinson as vice president after his retirement from baseball] that he could spend as much time as needed with the Civil Rights Movement."

MLB will air a special 1955 World Series film on YouTube at 7 p.m. ET featuring the second baseman and his Dodgers taking on the New York Yankees in the Fall Classic. Brooklyn won the series in seven games.

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Robinson died in 1972 at the age of 53. Jackie Robinson Day was established in 2004 to honor his legacy.