UCLA baseball will wear these throwback jerseys Saturday vs. Stanford.
On the 70th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the baseball color barrier, it's not just Major League Baseball remembering the Hall of Famer.
Robinson's alma mater UCLA will be taking the field Saturday against Stanford in throwback jerseys reminiscent of the Brooklyn Dodgers uniform that Robinson sported from 1947-56. The uniforms include the signature white "B" on a Dodger blue cap and even old-fashioned stirrups. This is the third straight year UCLA has unveiled special Jackie Robinson-inspired jerseys to honor his memory.
Check out the jerseys the Bruins are wearing today at Stanford in honor of #JackieRobinsonDay. #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/2HporXDMAy
— UCLA Baseball (@UCLABaseball) April 15, 2017Prior to Saturday's game, some of the current Bruins said what
Prior to Saturday's game, UCLA released a video of current Bruins showing appreciation for Robinson's lasting impact:
Thank you Jackie Robinson.#GoBruins l #JackieRobinsonDay pic.twitter.com/RnMJfRlfNG
— UCLA Athletics (@UCLAAthletics) April 15, 2017
The university also welcomed Jackie's wife Rachel Robinson and the Robinson family back to Westwood to visit the "42" monument in front of the Jackie Robinson Athletics & Recreation Complex on Friday. Robinson's No. 42, which he wore for the Dodgers, was retired across Major League Baseball in 1997.
Special moment yesterday as the Robinson family visits the 42 monument on Bruin Walk.#GoBruins l #JackieRobinsonDay pic.twitter.com/PhIR45EAR6
— UCLA Athletics (@UCLAAthletics) April 15, 2017
Robinson attended UCLA from 1939-41 and was a four-sport athlete in baseball, track and field, basketball and football. In 10 MLB seasons, he batted .311 and was honored as Rookie of the Year (1947) and Most Valuable Player (1949). He won the World Series with the Dodgers in 1955.
But Robinson's impact goes far beyond his stats. Robinson opened the door for other African Americans to play Major League Baseball and was a key civil rights advocate off the diamond.
UCLA plays its home games at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Outside its doors sits a bronze statue of Robinson, which was dedicated in 1985.