As the first African-American player in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB), former Brooklyn Dodger Jackie Robinson broke the restrictions of race and color in the league and became a role model that inspired generations of players. . Every April, around the historic moment when he made his first appearance in the season opener on April 15, 1947, there will be an upsurge inside and outside the major leagues to remember and commemorate Robinson. This day is also designated as the annual Jackie Robinson Day. (Jackie Robinson Day), professional players and amateurs will wear No. 42 in various activities to show respect for this legend.
In the MLB CUP Youth Baseball Open Spring Game, the “First Baseball Lesson” offline themed special event, the Cheap MLB Jerseys College Baseball and Softball Open, and the MLB Baseball Development Center, for the first time, localized commemorative activities will be carried out simultaneously, linking with the North American stadium. , jointly pay tribute to the legendary superstar, and convey Jackie Robinson’s perseverance fighting spirit and courage to challenge injustice to Chinese baseball fans. Use the role models from legendary superstars to spread baseball culture among young people.
Targeting core audiences in different circles, MLB carried out Jackie Robinson’s Japan-localized commemorative activities in a variety of colorful ways through diversified event layouts. While paying tribute to the great legendary superstars, it also conveys the brave and hard-working sports spirit to a wider audience.
With youth events as the core, the MLB CUP Youth Baseball Open joins hands with Haikou, Shenzhen, Wuxi, and Zhengzhou to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day. In the opening game, all participating players wore jersey No. 42, echoing the MLB North American stadium and paying tribute from afar.
At the same time, MLB focused on college campuses and launched Jackie Robinson Day commemoration activities. In the MLB College Baseball and Softball Open Beijing Tournament held on April 16, female softball players from Tsinghua University and China University of Geosciences also wore No. 42 jerseys and paid tribute to the superstar with every run and swing. Show the charm of softball and ignite the youthful flames belonging to softball girls.
In addition, MLB’s “First Baseball Lesson” simultaneously launched Jackie Robinson Day-themed special sessions in Beijing and Shanghai, continuing to create zero-based baseball experience courses to encourage more people to “hit the first pitch in life.” Shao Ting, the former captain of the Chinese Women’s National Basketball Team, and well-known football commentator Du Guaiwei were invited to the Beijing Experience Day to unlock the baseball experience as captains with athletes. On-site participants wore Jackie Robinson Day-themed T-shirts and experienced the baseball spirit of Jackie Robinson while immersing themselves in baseball.
School players from the MLB Baseball Development Center in Wuxi and Changzhou also paid tribute to the legendary superstar No. 42 in a special way. During the training on April 15, all players wore exclusive Jackie Robinson Day commemorative stickers on their training uniforms, bats, helmets, and gloves to remember the spirit of No. 42 while swinging the bat and stepping on the bases.
The meaning of jersey number 42
Since Jackie Robinson made his MLB debut wearing jersey No. 42 on April 15, 1947, his legendary and dazzling baseball career has begun: National League Rookie of the Year in his rookie season, National League MVP in the 1949 season, selected to the All-Star for six consecutive years, 1955 He won the World Series in 1962 and entered the Hall of Fame in 1962… On April 15, 1997, MLB designated the No. 42 jersey as his exclusive and retired it across the league. Robinson also became “Forever No. 42.” As the first African-American to play in MLB, he broke the racial barriers in baseball and paved the way for many other players of color. Today, 76 years later, his courage and perseverance still influence the entire world and inspire people to move forward.
At the MLB CUP Youth Baseball Open event, Qi Dong, managing director of MLB China, told reporters: “The number 42 not only represents our memory and respect for Robinson, but also commemorates Robinson’s courage to challenge conventions and do anything. The spirit of fear and perseverance. By promoting Jackie Robinson Day, we hope to cultivate the will and quality of young players, inherit the noble character of bravery and perseverance like Robinson, and let the baseball spirit infiltrate more Chinese teenagers.”
MLB not only conveys the sporting spirit of baseball in China, but is also committed to promoting the cultural stories behind baseball and inheriting the sports spirit of love and equality. Jackie Robinson’s major league debut highlighted baseball’s spirit of equality, respect and cooperation and historically changed the game. This time, MLB will combine Jackie Robinson Day with a number of events and activities, covering 6 cities and all age groups. In the “name of baseball”, the courage and fighting spirit of this legendary figure will be passed down and continued to promote baseball culture. spread to a wider population. In the future, MLB will continue to build a multi-dimensional baseball ecosystem, penetrate various events through diversified channels, take root in China’s young soil, activate the new generation of Chinese baseball, make baseball a way of life, and let the baseball spirit be passed down from generation to generation.