Roberts reflects on significance of No. 42

On Jackie Robinson Day, the only Black manager in Dodgers history recalled the first time he wore the No. 42 jersey.

“In some strange way, I sort of felt Jackie in me,” said Dave Roberts, who was playing for San Diego at the time. “Wearing the high pants and feeling like you’re trying to play as him, which was very cool.”

Major League Baseball chose to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day on Aug. 28 for two reasons. It’s the anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, which the Robinson family attended, and it also is the date in 1945 when Robinson met with Branch Rickey to discuss his future as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

In conjunction with the celebration, MLB announced a partnership extension with the JRF Scholarship Program, the Jackie Robinson Museum and the annual JRF ROBIE Awards. The extension is through 2023 and includes a $3.5 million commitment on behalf of MLB.

Roberts said in light of the nation’s current crisis over social injustice, bringing awareness to Robinson’s role in the Civil Rights movement intersecting with his breaking baseball’s color barrier is crucial.

“The challenge is us continuing to be proactive and not settling for status quo as an industry,” he said. “Conversations are great, but the execution and follow through is more important.”

The Dodgers have marked Jackie Robinson Day for several days this week. On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation hosted a conversation with first-base coach George Lombard, moderated by Marti Reed from the Positive Coaching Alliance. Lombard shared his story -- from his family history of Civil Rights activism to his unique path through college and the Majors. On Wednesday, the Dodgers hosted a virtual panel for students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities to illustrate the different career paths available within the sport of baseball.

On Thursday, The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation continued its Virtual Coaches Training Series presented by Nike with former Dodger Chase Utley as the guest speaker. In Arlington on Friday, pregame ceremonies featured prerecorded first pitches by a Dodgers Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholar alumnus and Rangers MLB Youth Academy scholar athletes. In addition, Rangers and Dodgers players and coaches are collaborating on a video honoring the legacy of Jackie Robinson, which will be shown on the Globe Life Field video boards.

Roberts said getting Black kids to play baseball in the inner city is vital.

“Keeping young Black boys off the street and teaching them about police brutality and understanding how to go about handling yourself when you’re not at home,” he said. “It’s sad those conversation have to be had with young Black boys, but that is reality.”

Roberts said he’s “emotionally spent right now,” but like his players understands the professional necessity of focusing on baseball at game time. That said, there’s the necessity of keeping alive the memory of Robinson and others who paved the way for him.

“Right now, I really miss the late Don Newcombe,” said Roberts of the former Dodgers player who died last year. “He would always tell stories of rooming with Jackie. Losing him, losing Frank Robinson and people that could tell a story. Maury Wills isn’t around [the team], Sandy’s not around [the team]. It’s just trying to get educated.”

• Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts narrated MLB’s Jackie Robinson Day national television spot, “4 Us 2 Remember,” using words from Robinson’s biography, “I Never Had It Made,” and insights from Robinson’s daughter, Sharon.