MLB Honors Jackie Robinson Day by Highlighting Last Players to Wear #42

Leagues pays tribute to baseball legend who broke modern color barrier in 1947.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 6:39pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic motion of a baseball player in action, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in a palette of navy, green, and red.MLB's annual Jackie Robinson Day celebration honors the baseball legend who broke the sport's color barrier and advanced the civil rights movement.Havana Today

Major League Baseball is celebrating Jackie Robinson Day on April 15, the anniversary of when the legendary player first took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, breaking the league's color barrier. As part of the annual tradition, all players will wear Robinson's iconic #42 jersey. To mark the occasion, the league is highlighting the last player from each MLB team to have worn that number.

Why it matters

Jackie Robinson's historic debut in 1947 paved the way for the integration of professional baseball and helped advance the civil rights movement. Honoring his legacy each year on the anniversary of his first game is an important way for MLB to recognize his immense contributions to the sport and society.

The details

While Robinson's #42 was retired league-wide in 1997, some players were grandfathered in and allowed to continue wearing the number until they retired. The last player from each MLB team to don #42 serves as a symbolic link to Robinson's trailblazing career.

  • Jackie Robinson made his MLB debut on April 15, 1947.
  • MLB has celebrated Jackie Robinson Day every April 15 since 2004.

The players

Jackie Robinson

The first African American player in the modern Major League Baseball era, Robinson broke the sport's color barrier when he debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.

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What they’re saying

“Jackie Robinson's impact on baseball and society can never be overstated. Honoring his legacy each year is the least we can do to recognize his immense contributions.”

— Rob Manfred, MLB Commissioner

The takeaway

Jackie Robinson's pioneering career paved the way for the integration of professional baseball and helped advance the civil rights movement. MLB's annual celebration of his legacy on the anniversary of his debut serves as an important reminder of the sport's ability to drive social change.