Marlins honor Robinson Day

Players pay tribute to Dodger’s legacy

MIAMI — On Sunday, the Miami Marlins and the rest of Major League Baseball paid tribute to Jackie Robinson on the 71st anniversary of the former Dodger breaking baseball’s color barrier.

As part of Jackie Robinson Day, every player in the league wore a No. 42 jersey with a patch on the right sleeve in honor of the Hall of Fame second baseman. Playing with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, Robinson started on Opening Day to end racial segregation in baseball.

For Marlins rookie outfielder Sunday marked his first Jackie Robinson Day in the majors. The Coral Springs alum said Robinson’s impact and legacy will never be lost on him.

“Just everything that [Robinson] went through, everything that he represents — especially for African-Americans

Lewis Brinson,

and people of color — it means a lot to us,” Brinson said. “He’s given us the opportunity to be here, to be in this clubhouse, take care of our families and live out our dreams. It means a lot to wear 42 on your back.”

,a 12-year MLB veteran, paid tribute to Robinson on Twitter, expressing his gratitude for Robinson being a trailblazer in professional baseball.

“Jackie Robinson provided athletes like myself, Lewis Brinson and so many others the opportunity to play the game we love,” Maybin tweeted. “I’ll forever use my platform to pay that forward. Thank you Jackie - this one’s for you!” Marlins manager

experienced an up-close view of Jackie Robinson Day during his five-year tenure as the Dodgers’ skipper from 2011-15.

“Being in LA you get a different feeling,” Mattingly said. “Meeting Mrs. Robinson and being part of the organization that basically broke [the barrier] — was something special for me to be a part of and it’s obviously a great day for all of

Cameron Maybin Mattingly Don

baseball.”

MICHAEL REAVES/GETTY IMAGES This is a detailed view of a patch on Lewis Brinson’s jersey commemorating Jackie Robinson Day on Sunday.