WARNING: Jackie Robinson is my all time favorite player and I always get a little emotional seeing every player wear 42 running out on the field every April 15. I apologize in advance if this article gets super sentimental.
April 15, 1947, Ebbets Field shook with cheers and boos all simultaneously as an African American man stepped out of the dugout and marched his way to the batters box proudly wearing number 42 across his back. 26,623 spectators were crammed into the ballpark that day, that included 14,000 African American patrons. Baseball seemed to be ahead of its time, as Branch Rickey did not see color as a barrier, but instead he saw talent in a young man.