Saturday, April 15, 2017, marks the 70th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's history-making and history-shaking major-league debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. By breaking the color barrier at the highest level, Robinson altered not only the game of baseball but also all of society. As a result of his perseverance, personal courage, strength, and on-field excellence, Mr. Robinson is rightly regarded as a baseball legend and a genuine American hero.
In his honor, the Dodgers unveiled a new Jackie Robinson statue at Dodger Stadium on Saturday. Fittingly, it's Robinson stealing home. Here's a look:
Right at home. #Jackie42 pic.twitter.com/QNkF1t6mYR
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 15, 2017
Needless to say, Robinson's legacy on Saturday was getting its proper respect all around baseball. Here's a sampling of the many ways in which teams and players paid tribute to the great Jackie Robinson on Saturday ...
A sneak peak at the Jackie Robinson statue, which will be unveiled tomorrow at Dodger Stadium. pic.twitter.com/My24oKzoZo
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) April 14, 2017
In honor of #Jackie42. pic.twitter.com/Ten5LFRQmy
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 15, 2017
Today we are honored to play in the Jackie Robinson Celebration Game at Dodgertown. Game vs. the Florida Fire Frogs at 6:35. #STLMetspic.twitter.com/JE2CnOHS2M
— St. Lucie Mets (@stluciemets) April 15, 2017
Thank you. #Jackie42pic.twitter.com/DP0t4IAEpg
— MLB (@MLB) April 15, 2017
Thank you for breaking barriers and paving the way! #JackieRobinsonDay@Jumpman23@MLBpic.twitter.com/Kwjh9b0OJ5
— Marcus Stroman (@MStrooo6) April 15, 2017
Thank you for showing everyone what real courage and determination looks like... #Jackie42pic.twitter.com/DGOTr5ZElI
— Rookie Davis (@rookdavis24) April 15, 2017
We honor the life, legacy and broken barriers of the great Jackie Robinson.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 15, 2017
Thank you. #Jackie42pic.twitter.com/Tp8dwm32KV
From Mallex and from all of us, thank you, Jackie. #Jackie42pic.twitter.com/OqeOleRvpk
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) April 15, 2017
The game never forgets.
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) April 14, 2017
Thank you No. 42. #JackieRobinsonDaypic.twitter.com/aRwklCpiUg
.@adidas creates special edition cleats to honor Jackie Robinson & celebrate #JackieRobinsonDay on 4/15 https://t.co/fD9su04tb5#teamadidaspic.twitter.com/M8Gi4cFmPW
— Paul Murphy (@PabloMurphy) April 10, 2017
Nike and @nikebaseball athletes celebrate Jackie Robinson Day with Equality + 42 shirts pic.twitter.com/TKh8qww0qA
— B/R Kicks (@br_kicks) April 14, 2017
Honored to wear these today! Thank you Jackie! #JackieRobinsonDaypic.twitter.com/awtLgjY1c7
— Josh Harrison (@jhay_da_man) April 15, 2017
#JackieRobinson Though you weren't treated with the same equality as others, you showed if we all work 2gether, greatness happens! pic.twitter.com/wDvXrwiFZs
— andrew mccutchen (@TheCUTCH22) April 15, 2017
Thank you Jackie #42 #jackierobinsonpic.twitter.com/j1IHokgstM
— Dexter Fowler (@DexterFowler) April 15, 2017
In 1947, Jackie Robinson stood up in front of thousands of people who were rooting against him & did what he did best - played ball! #heropic.twitter.com/NHoic5zap8
— Curtis Granderson (@cgrand3) April 15, 2017
42
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) April 15, 2017
It's #JackieRobinsonDay and the @BiloxiShuckers will celebrate by taking the field as the Biloxi Dodgers pic.twitter.com/zQuajq3cPu
— Minor League Promos (@MiLBPromos) April 15, 2017
42
— Alex Bregman (@ABREG_1) April 15, 2017
Thank you, Jackie. #Jackie42pic.twitter.com/yO2LEDDHjM
— MiLB.com (@MiLB) April 15, 2017
Today, we honor the life and legacy of Jackie Robinson by joining @MLB & @MiLB by celebrating #JackieRobinsonDay at #RegionsField. pic.twitter.com/dq0C90Sza5
— Birmingham Barons (@BhamBarons) April 15, 2017
No. 42. #Jackie42pic.twitter.com/Fd16hBA50n
— MLB (@MLB) April 15, 2017
There was, of course, much more, and yet it pales in comparison to Robinson's impact on baseball to this day.