Major League Baseball dedicates season to 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's breaking color barrier

Major League Baseball officials recently announced that the 1997 season will be dedicated to the late Jackie Robinson in honor of the 50th anniversary of his breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947.

The sport will also donate $1 million to The Jackie Robinson Foundation, established in 1973 by his widow, Rachel, to provide scholarships for deserving minority students.

At a news conference attended by Mrs. Robinson, acting Commissioner Bud Selig called Robinson's breakthrough debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, "baseball's proudest moment."

Robinson played for the Dodgers from 1947-1956 and became a leading civil rights advocate. He was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame in 1962. He died in 1972 at the age of 53.

The salute to Robinson's historic feat calls for all 28 teams and major league umpires to wear "Breaking Barriers" arm patches this season, all teams to use commemorative balls in their home openers, 100,000 gold and 200,000 silver commemorative coins to be sold by the U.S. Mint, and video spots of Robinson (created by Spike Lee) to appear on stadium scoreboards.

In addition, there will be special events and programs throughout the season in honor of Robinson. President Bill Clinton said he will attend ceremonies and speak at New York's Shea Stadium on April 15 at a MetsLos Angeles Dodgers game -- the exact date of the 50th anniversary of Robinson's debut in the majors.

Baseball will also dedicate the All-Star Game in Cleveland to Larry Doby, the first Black to play in the American League. He joined the Cleveland Indians 11 weeks after Robinson leaped over baseball's racial hurdle as a Dodger.

Selig added that baseball will make a renewed effort to increase minority hiring by asking each team to establish goals, and he promised to monitor their progress.