April 15 is a special day in baseball history. "Jackie Robinson Day" celebrates the baseball legend's MLB debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, an appearance that broke MLB's color barrier. Seventy-two years later, Robinson's legacy lives on, as teams sport Robinson's now-retired No. 42 on his anniversary to honor his contributions to baseball.
Naturally, plenty of MLB players also came out to say thanks to Robinson and his contributions to the game, including Robinson Cano and Bryce Harper who will both wear unique pairs of Jackie Robinson cleats on Monday.
You inspired me to play the game that I love. You broke every barrier to pave the way for generations to come. Thank you Jackie. My name, my number. Honoring you today and every day. #Jackie42 #JackieRobinsonDay pic.twitter.com/uXv80xt1ZD
— Robinson Cano (@RobinsonCano) April 15, 2019
Robinson lettered in four sports -- baseball, track and field, football and basketball -- at UCLA, a record that will certainly never be matched. As a tribute to Robinson's time at UCLA, Harper collaborated with Under Armour for a UCLA-inspired UA Harper 3 that he'll be wearing for the Phillies on Monday night. Note the number 42 on the bottom, but there's also 28, which Robinson wore for the UCLA Bruins:
But the player tributes, of course, didn't end there.
Thank You Jackie 42 🖤 pic.twitter.com/G9ZAWX5EbS
— T A 7 (@TimAnderson7) April 15, 2019
Chills. Thank you Jackie https://t.co/WtjtfDsui5
— Chris Archer (@ChrisArcher22) April 15, 2019
Thank You Jackie!!! https://t.co/ic2KMTKvaO
— 10 (@SimplyAJ10) April 15, 2019
Thank you Jackie pic.twitter.com/eExPGsB6tx
— Nelson Cruz (@ncboomstick23) April 15, 2019
Thinking about my mentor and friend Newk today, teammates with Jackie. Thank you Newk, thank you #Jackie42 for paving the way for us today. 🙏🏾 @MLB pic.twitter.com/fCDmXXNj6w
— Kenley Jansen (@kenleyjansen74) April 15, 2019
Jackie, thank you for everything you did and went through. You made it possible for me to live my ⚾️ dream! #JackieRobinsonDay #Jackie42 pic.twitter.com/gKLKE7mc50
— CC Sabathia (@CC_Sabathia) April 15, 2019
This is unreal. https://t.co/BprKNwezxs
— Marcus Stroman (@MStrooo6) April 15, 2019
Thank you Jackie! https://t.co/CV8Kd8CklO
— Alex Bregman (@ABREG_1) April 15, 2019
The Los Angeles Dodgers are also donning throwback duds to honor one of the most important players in their illustrious history, including the Brooklyn "B."
The #LADodgers will wear 1947 throwback uniforms tonight in celebration of Jackie Robinson's debut
— Chris Creamer (@sportslogosnet) April 15, 2019
Pics, details, and side-by-sides showing the all the subtle but important differences here: https://t.co/44a1MPvesy pic.twitter.com/uW2TUqTfzM