New York City is honoring the 75th anniversary of the late Jackie Robinson breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier in a big way. The iconic 42nd Street and Broadway intersection has been temporarily renamed ‘Jackie Robinson Way’ on Friday in Manhattan.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, along with Robinson’s eldest granddaughter Sonya Pankey and Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr, Mariano Rivera and Joe Torre, unveiled a blue and white street sign showcasing Robinson’s logos to commemorate the 75 years.
Robinson made his debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. While baseball is known as America’s pastime, Manfred said it did not become so until “Jackie and those who followed him” integrated the sport.