42: MLB Clubs Honor Jackie Robinson's Legacy On 69th Anniversary

Today, all Major League Baseball clubs are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day.

Many took to Twitter to express their admiration for Robinson, including Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price. 

He tweeted, "Favorite day of the baseball season is today! Thank you, Jackie, for all that you did."

Robinson is known for breaking the color barrier in professional baseball. 

In 1947, when he made his April 15 debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers, he courageously challenged racial segregation in both the North and South.

“I felt that if the right man, not to exploit a sociological problem, but if the right man and ability on the field and with control of himself off the field, if I can find that kind of a man, the American public would accept him,” former Dodgers president Branch Rickey (1942-1950) once stated.

Robinson was that man.

So, Rickey approached him about joining the Dodgers. But at the time, the Major Leagues had not had an African-American player since 1889 when baseball became segregated.

When Robinson first wore the Brooklyn uniform, he pioneered the integration of professional athletics in the U.S.

By the end of his first season, Robinson was named National League (present day MLB) Rookie of the Year after recording 12 home runs and a league-leading 29 steals.

Later, in 1949, he was named National League Most Valuable Player and was also awarded a batting title.

During his career, Robinson stood strong against those who worked against racial equality and proved that one man can influence American culture.

“I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me; all I ask is you respect me as a human being," the baseball legend once said.

His inspirational journey paved a way for other great players of color and led the way to a fully integrated sport over a 12 year period.

From now and forever, number 42 lives on. 

Below is a list of the other players it took to fully integrate all 16 professional baseball teams of the time:

Larry Doby (7/5/1947- Indians)

Henry Thompson (7/17/1947- Browns and 7/8/1949- Giants)

Sam Jethroe (4/15/1950- Braves)

Minnie Minoso (5/1/1951- White Sox)

Bob Trice (9/13/1953- Athletics)

Ernie Banks (9/17/1953- Cubs)

Tom Alston (4/13/1954- Cardinals)

Curt Roberts (4/13/1954- Pirates)

Nino Escalera (4/17/1954- Reds)

Carlos Paula (9/6/1954- Senators)

Elston Howard (4/14/1955- Yankees)

John I. Kennedy (4/22/1957- Phillies)

Ozzie Virgil (6/6/1958- Tigers)

Pumpsie Green (7/21/1959- Red Sox)