Jackie Robinson's Grandchild Throws Out First Pitch at Dodgers-Mets Game

The annual Jackie Robinson Day celebration brought together generations to honor the baseball legend's enduring legacy.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 7:43am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game, with overlapping planes and shapes representing the connection between Jackie Robinson's family and the historic significance of the event.The ceremonial first pitch by Jackie Robinson's grandchild symbolizes the enduring legacy of a baseball pioneer who forever changed the sport and society.Los Angeles Today

On Jackie Robinson Day, the eldest grandchild of Jackie and Rachel Robinson, Sonya Pankey Robinson, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the New York Mets. The emotional pregame moment symbolized the continued connection between Robinson's family and the sport he helped transform.

Why it matters

Jackie Robinson's barrier-breaking debut with the Dodgers in 1947 forever changed baseball and the broader civil rights movement. The annual Jackie Robinson Day celebration allows the sport to reflect on his lasting impact, and having his grandchild participate in the pregame ceremony reinforces the intergenerational significance of his legacy.

The details

As the eldest grandchild of Jackie and Rachel Robinson, Sonya Pankey Robinson delivered a meaningful first pitch that connected the past to the present. The setting between the Dodgers and Mets added further significance, as both franchises trace their roots to New York, where Robinson broke baseball's color barrier.

  • Jackie Robinson Day is celebrated annually across Major League Baseball.

The players

Sonya Pankey Robinson

The eldest grandchild of Jackie and Rachel Robinson, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Dodgers-Mets game.

Jackie Robinson

The baseball legend who broke the sport's color barrier in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers, forever changing the game and the broader civil rights movement.

Rachel Robinson

The wife of Jackie Robinson, who supported her husband's pioneering efforts and has continued to preserve his legacy.

Mookie Betts

A veteran infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers who participated in the pregame ceremony with Sonya Pankey Robinson.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The baseball franchise that Jackie Robinson joined in 1947, breaking the sport's color barrier.

New York Mets

The baseball franchise that, like the Dodgers, traces its roots to New York, where Jackie Robinson made his historic debut.

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What they’re saying

“Jackie and Rachel Robinson's grandchild, Sonya Pankey Robinson, got to throw out the first pitch before the Dodgers game”

— SportsCenter

The takeaway

The ceremonial first pitch by Jackie Robinson's grandchild serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of a baseball pioneer whose courage and resilience helped reshape the sport and society. The annual Jackie Robinson Day celebration continues to bring together generations to honor his transformative impact.