'Sacred' No. 42 on display in baseball
From coast to coast, players honor Jackie Robinson
By Mark Newman / MLB.com

On the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers as the first African-American player in the Majors, there was: widespread use of a "sacred" No. 42 jersey number by on-field personnel; a game won by Cleveland despite only one hit and a game won by Cincinnati despite only two; almost constant references by broadcasters to someone who played long ago; a walk-off homer by Oakland's Marco Scutaro off real No. 42 Mariano Rivera of the Yankees; and an almost-unthinkable six rainouts due to a massive weather system in the East.

Even the weather seemed to understand that this day was reserved for Jackie Robinson -- helping us all turn our eyes to Dodger Stadium for the evening's national celebration of this annual date on the baseball calendar.

Jennifer Hudson, don't stop singing.

Rachel Robinson, don't stop speaking.

Frank Robinson and Hank Aaron, don't stop throwing.

Tony Clark, don't stop swinging.

People everywhere, don't stop thinking.

"It's bigger than just a number," said Marlins pitcher Dontrelle Willis, who wore No. 42 for Sunday's game against the Braves. "This is American history. I might be going out on a limb, but I see so much emphasis on it the last couple of weeks about Jackie Robinson. . . . He opened the doors for everybody in baseball. If it wasn't for him, there wouldn't be a lot of the great storylines you see in baseball today. I hope they continue to have that intensity to remember Jackie Robinson at all times."

Rachel Robinson, the wife of Jackie Robinson and founder of The Jackie Robinson Foundation, was presented with the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award by Bud Selig hours before the Dodgers' game against San Diego. The award, created in 1998 to recognize achievement of historical significance, was given to Rachel for her contribution and sacrifice to the legacy of her late husband. Throughout her life, Rachel Robinson has championed numerous social and charitable causes and, in 1973, founded The Jackie Robinson Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide scholarships and leadership training.

"Rachel Robinson has played a significant role in the history of baseball through the strength she gave her husband, Jackie, and the way she has continued to champion the causes in which they both believed so strongly," Selig said. "On the 60th anniversary of Jackie's entry into the Major Leagues, it is fitting to honor Rachel with this prestigious award."

Along with that, the unquestioned highlight on this special day around the game was the wearing of the "Jackie Jerseys" by so many players, managers or coaches. Those jerseys will appear at the MLB.com Auction in coming days, with all proceeds going to The Jackie Robinson Foundation. And there will be plenty from which to choose.

It was the kind of day when you would click from one game to the other on MLB.TV and suddenly hear a broadcaster say: "In the 1955 World Series against Robinson's Dodgers, who wore No. 42 for the Yankees?" (Those guessing Jerry Coleman were right.)

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