Jackie Robinson's life and legacy honored by the Arizona Diamondbacks during weekend outreach baseball clinic and in-game celebrations on Monday, April 15
April 15 is a special and meaningful day across Major League Baseball, as teams commemorate the lasting impact of Jackie Robinson’s MLB debut on April 15, 1947. Breaking baseball’s color barrier, Robinson’s memorable career served as a powerful catalyst for necessary changes both in our sport and in our nation. Players will proudly don his #42 on their jerseys during Monday’s game against the Chicago Cubs, and the Diamondbacks will honor Robinson’s contributions by making a positive impact in our community, specifically by providing a space where all kids can have the opportunity to learn and play baseball and empowering our outstanding youth through the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley. To learn more about Jackie Robinson, visit dbacks.com/Jackie, mlb.com/42 and JackieRobinson.org.
The Diamondbacks kicked-off their commemoration of Jackie Robinson Day over the weekend, with a free, Superstar Camp outreach clinic that welcomed 100 kids from the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley and Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church to Chase Field to learn the fundamentals of baseball. Presented by Super Star Car Wash, the clinic was hosted by Diamondbacks Baseball Academy coaches and special guest, Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas, who taught the basics of hitting, catching and running bases. All kids received a glove, hat, and Diamondbacks t-shirt with #42 on the front, Thomas #5 on the back and a Jackie Robinson Day logo on the sleeve.
Jackie Robinson Day at Chase Field – Monday, April 15
On Monday, April 15, the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation will continue their annual support of scholarship opportunities for the Boys & Girls Clubs with two charitable gifts of $4,200 in honor of Jackie Robinson’s number 42 during a special pregame ceremony. One of the recipients of the $4,200 scholarship is the Diamondbacks Branch Youth of the Year, Alessandra Mendoza, who, through her nine years at the Club, has been able to build self-confidence through loss and personal challenges and even got to deliver the game ball to the mound for World Series Game 3. In addition, the Diamondbacks Foundation will present another $4,200 scholarship to Jaydon Moore from the Jim & Vicki Click Club of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson, who has a passion for attending USC to pursue a career in sports medicine.
The East Valley United Black Firefighters, a non-profit, professional development group operated by professional firefighters, will also be recognized during pregame for their incredible efforts in promoting diversity within the fire service through recruitment and volunteering within the Valley’s Black community. Since its start in 2021, the group has provided interested fire department candidates with interview preparation, one-on-one mentorship, classroom workshops, physical fitness, and fire-based skills training to ensure their success.
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church will perform the National Anthem and the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
The Ceremonial First Pitch will be thrown out by Arizona native Raven Gibson, the founder and owner of Legendary Rootz. Raven attended Betty H. Fairfax High School and later pursued a degree in biochemistry from Arizona State University. She launched her business, Legendary Rootz, in 2016 to provide a platform for black women to express themselves through bold, statement-making clothing and Afrocentric home decor. During Black History Month in February, Legendary Rootz was featured at Target.
Jackie Robinson Day Ticket Package
Fans can commemorate Jackie Robinson Day with the Diamondbacks through a special ticket package, purchased at dbacks.com/Jackie that includes an exclusive Diamondbacks hat featuring Jackie’s number 42 along with a ticket to Monday’s game against the Cubs.