Baseball Set to Honor Robinson Today
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A remembrance of Jackie Robinson, the Brooklyn Dodger player who broke the color barrier in the major leagues 57 years ago, began Wednesday in Los Angeles with a proclamation.
The proclamation, presented on behalf of Mayor James K. Hahn by Councilman Tom LaBonge, went to Ray Bartlett, 84, a boyhood friend and teammate of Robinson’s at Pasadena City College and UCLA. Also receiving the proclamation was Duke Russell, local sports activist and former Dodger minor league player.
The proclamation designated April 15, 2004, as Jackie Robinson Day in Los Angeles.
That theme will be carried to every home ballpark in the majors today, commemorating the day in 1947 that Robinson played his first major league game with the Dodgers.
The featured celebration will be at Shea Stadium, where the Mets will play host to the Atlanta Braves. At that game, Robinson’s widow, Rachel, will be the honored guest.
Commissioner Bud Selig had announced earlier that baseball will honor Robinson and the memory of what he did in a similar fashion each year.
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