Yankees Honor Robinson With Memorial in Monument Park

NEW YORK (AP) -- The New York Yankees honored Jackie Robinson by dedicating a memorial in Monument Park to the former Brooklyn Dodgers star Tuesday.<br/><br/>Yankees manager Joe Torre, shortstop Derek

Tuesday, April 17th 2007, 11:01 pm

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) -- The New York Yankees honored Jackie Robinson by dedicating a memorial in Monument Park to the former Brooklyn Dodgers star Tuesday.

Yankees manager Joe Torre, shortstop Derek Jeter, closer Mariano Rivera and second baseman Robinson Cano, who is named after the Hall of Fame second baseman, helped unveil the plaque during a ceremony before New York played the Cleveland Indians.

The text of the plaque reads: "In becoming the first Major League player to break the color barrier, Jackie will forever be an inspiration with his grace, dignity and perseverance. His story and the stories of those who never had the same opportunity must never be forgotten."

In addition, Robinson's No. 42 was painted along the baselines for Tuesday night's game.

"It's a nice tribute. Certainly a guy worthy of it," Torre said. "He was a tough cookie. He certainly left his mark on baseball. I'm honored to say I met him one time."

Robinson played his first major league game on April 15, 1947, and the 60th anniversary of his debut was celebrated at ballparks all around the country Sunday.

Rivera is the only active player who still wears No. 42 after it was retired by Major League Baseball on the 50th anniversary of Robinson's debut in 1997.

The Yankees are also donating $1 million to the Jackie Robinson Foundation, which provides college scholarships and leadership training to minority students.