Baseball Celebrates 60th Anniversary Of Robinson's Debut

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers solemnly lined up along the third-base line, each and every one wearing number 42. Jackie Robinson broke major league baseball's color barrier on April

Sunday, April 15th 2007, 8:34 pm

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers solemnly lined up along the third-base line, each and every one wearing number 42. Jackie Robinson broke major league baseball's color barrier on April 15th, 1947, with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The national pasttime celebrated the 60th anniversary of his debut throughout the country today when more than 200 players, managers and coaches wore his number.

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig called Robinson's breakthrough "an incredible story -- not just for baseball, but for society."

Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson threw out ceremonial first pitches. Fellow Hall of Famers Joe Morgan and Dave Winfield were on hand, joined by actors Courtney B. Vance and Marlon Wayans. Academy Award-winner Jennifer Hudson sang "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Robinson's widow, Rachel, also took part in pre-game ceremonies. Jackie Robinson died in 1962, the same year he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.