It’s been exactly 42 years since the MLB All-Star Game was hosted in Los Angeles, so it’s only fitting that at the home of the Dodgers there would be a tribute to a man that changed the franchise, the sport of baseball, and America in general — Jackie Robinson.
Before the first pitch of the 2022 edition of the exhibition game, actor Denzel Washington — donned in a No. 42 jersey, was the narrator in honoring the late great Hall of Famer with a touching speech, which included the use of some awesome virtual reality technology to bring the legends accomplishments “to life.”
What a moment
Denzel Washington honors the legacy of Jackie Robinson before the All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium.
75 years after Robinson broke the color barrier 🙌
(via @MLBONFOX)
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 20, 2022
After Washington’s speech, Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts led the crowd and players in attendance in singing “Happy Birthday” for Robinsons’ widow Rachel — who turns 100 today.
“Today’s a special day. It’s Miss Rachel Robinson’s 100th birthday,” Betts said. “So on the count of three, I want everybody here to say: ‘Happy Birthday, Rachel!'”
Mookie Betts led a "Happy Birthday Rachel" tribute from the crowd to honor Rachel Robinson, the widow of Jackie Robinson, who turns 100 today 👏
📹 @MLBONFOX pic.twitter.com/oj1rNWaKPG
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) July 20, 2022
Robinson broke the major-league color barrier in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers, who later moved to Los Angeles after the 1957 season. He died in 1972, with his legend being bigger than ever with his No. 42 jersey being retired throughout MLB in 1997.
There’s a statue honoring the Hall of Famer outside Dodger Stadium.
He was not only a legend on the baseball diamond, but he was a leader in the civil rights movement in helping gain equal rights for African-Americans, working together with Martin Luther King Jr. and other well-known leaders.
Class act move by MLB.
About Jasper Jones
A native east coaster via Connecticut, Jasper is a writer for The Comeback and Audacy Sports. He decided to head south for college, attending the University of Kentucky and graduating with a degree in broadcast journalism. Prior to joining The Comeback, Jones spent a year writing for FanSided's college football blog, Saturday Blitz, covering news surrounding the sport and recruiting. He spent the same amount of time doing some freelance work for the tabloid/sports outlet BlackSportsOnline. In his free time, Jones loves to cheer on his Kentucky Wildcats, collect sneakers, read a good book, and get in some gains at the gym. You can follow him on Twitter @jonesj2342.