Jackie Robinson Day: Celebrating a Legend

(The image to your right is a print by Peter Chen -- his excellent artwork can be found on his blog The Painted Baseball)

Happy Jackie Robinson Day, an entire day devoted to celebrating the life and legend.

Today is the 65th anniversary of the date when Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, becoming the first black man allowed to play the game outside the Negro League, playing his first big league game with the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field on April 15, 1947. He went on to win the Rookie of the Year honors and play in six All-Star games.

As with every April 15 since 200 players and coaches did so in 2007, every single man on every single field will wear no. 42 to honor Robinson's legacy.

Atlanta Braves right fielder Jason Heyward and Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones will be taking it one step further, sporting these badass Jackie Robinson cleats, which are powder blue and yellow for UCLA, where Robinson attended college.

Visit the incredible iam42.com site for players' perspectives, great informational videos, and a twitter feed including the hashtag #IAM42. Now try not to cry while you watch this commercial.

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson