By Dan Hock
April 15, 2024
The Cincinnati Reds are joining with all of Major League Baseball to commemorate Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson breaking Baseball’s color barrier 77 years ago on April 15, 1947.
The Reds play in Seattle on April 15 at T-Mobile Park and the Mariners will celebrate Jackie Robinson Day with the game beginning at a special start time of 6:42 p.m. PDT/9:42 p.m. EDT.
All players, managers and coaches will wear Nike ‘42’ jerseys to honor Robinson’s historic debut. Additional uniform elements include Nike Breaking Barriers batting practice tees, New Era caps with a “42” side patch and Stance socks with a commemorative “42” logo.
Reds Activations To Honor Jackie Robinson
April 13 & 14: High School Baseball & Softball Teams wearing “42” jerseys at the Reds Youth Academy,
The Skyline Chili Reds Futures High School Showcase presented by Cincinnati Children’s Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics celebrated Jackie Robinson Day on April 13 & 14 by hosting Cincinnati Public Schools baseball and softball teams. In honor of Robinson, all baseball and softball players wore “42” jerseys provided by Nike.
April 17: HBCU Baseball Game at the Reds Youth Academy
HBCU schools Wilberforce University and Kentucky State University will play in the annual Joe Morgan Classic on Wednesday, April 17 at 1 p.m. at the P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy in Roselawn. Players from both teams will wear authentic replica Negro Leagues jerseys and will receive custom baseball cleats from Nike.
April 19: Reds Players at Woodward High School
Reds pitcher Hunter Greene and outfielders Will Benson and Bubba Thompson are scheduled to visit Cincinnati Public School’s Woodward High School on Friday, April 19 to speak to the baseball and softball teams about their journey to the major leagues.
April 19: Jackie Robinson Day at Great American Ball Park
The Reds will celebrate Jackie Robinson Day on Friday, April 19 at Great American Ball Park (vs. Los Angeles Angels, 6:40 p.m.) with pregame ceremonies and a fan giveaway.
• Throwing out a ceremonial first pitch will be Cincinnati Cyclones hockey team head coach Jason Payne, one of the two Black head coaches of the ECHL. The Cyclones made history on March 30 when Black players Landon Cato, Elijah Gonsalves, Jalen Smereck, Kyle Bollers, and Josh Burnside took the ice as the starting lineup.
• Members of the AACE LLC ownership group, Reds shareholders since 2005, will be recognized during pregame ceremonies. The AACE group was one of the first Black ownership groups in American sports history.
• Fans in attendance will receive a Jackie Robinson Baseball Card, presented by LifeCenter.
In conjunction with Jackie Robinson Day, the Reds Country Cares initiative for April focuses on the message that “Reds Baseball Welcomes All” to highlight the Reds commitment to diversity, inclusion and disability awareness. More information on Jackie Robinson Day activities and how the Reds promote positive change and inclusiveness through Reds Country Cares and other initiatives is available at www.reds.com/Unity.
Jackie Robinson Day Background
Robinson played his first Major League game at Ebbets Field on April 15, 1947 as a first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Major League Baseball has celebrated Jackie Robinson’s legacy in an extensive and unified League-wide show of support over the years, including retiring his number throughout the Majors in 1997, dedicating April 15th as Jackie Robinson Day each year since 2004, and requesting that every player and all on-field personnel wear his Number 42 during games scheduled on Jackie Robinson Day since 2009. Major League Baseball aims to educate all fans about Jackie Robinson, his life’s accomplishments and legacy, while spearheading initiatives that support communities and meaningfully address diversity and inclusion at all levels of our sport. For more information, please visit www.MLBTogether.com.
COURTESY REDS MEDIA RELATIONS
