42: MLB honours Jackie Robinson's legacy

While the day honouring the player to break baseball's colour barrier started in 2004, the tradition of all players and personnel wearing #42 began in 2009. The day itself was the brain child of MarinersGreat and Hall of Fame centre fielder Ken Griffey Jr..

Events will take place at ballparks across the major leagues and will include a special video tribute narrated by AJ Andrews, as well as Youth Empowerment events such JRF scholarships, the Trailblazer Series, and Nike RBI Day at the Jackie Robinson Museum.

Additionally, MLB Network will dedicate a block of programming to Robinson's continued legacy.

This will include longtime analyst - and former player - Harold Reynolds interviewing terview five MLB Develops alumni who are now all Division 1 baseball players and wear No. 42 to honor Robinson. They are Alton Davis II (University of Georgia), Troy Sanders (Grand Canyon University), RJ Austin (Vanderbilt University), Oliver Service (University of Texas) and Eddie King Jr. (Louisville).

While Jackie Robinson was not the first black player to play in the major leagues, that honour arguably belongs to Moses "Fleet" Walker, he was the first to break the "gentlemen's agreement" and his presence made black players gain more acceptance throughout baseball and society at large.

The Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves will join the other 28 teams in having every player wear 42 - Robinson's number - for the duration of the game.