CHICAGO -- Friday will mark the 70th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers. It will also be the 10th consecutive season in Major League Baseball in which all uniformed personnel will wear his number on Jackie Robinson Day, which this year will see the 42-clad Reds play the 42-clad Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
The tradition started on April 15, 2007, when Reds right fielder Ken Griffey Jr. sought permission from then-Commissioner Bud Selig and Robinson's widow, Rachel, for permission to wear No. 42. From that moment, all players were given the green light to continue the tribute.