The 2022 All-Star Game spent some of its pregame ceremony at Dodger Stadium on honoring the legacy of Jackie Robinson, who played for the Dodgers and broke the color barrier with them.
But that was not the only Robinson family member who was being honored. Tuesday also happened to be Rachel Robinson’s 100th birthday.
Both the entire American and National League rosters gathered on the field around home plate with Dodgers All-Star outfielder Mookie Betts in front of them holding a microphone and addressing the crowd.
“I know this is the 2022 All-Star Game, but today is a special day: It’s Miss Rachel Robinson’s 100th birthday,” he said. “So on the count of three, I want everybody here to say ‘Happy Birthday Rachel.’”
It was a nice moment that MLB was able to give to Rachel Robinson, but it was also not the only message Betts had prior to the game.
During batting practice, the six-time All-Star was wearing a large black T-shirt that read, “We Need more Black People at the Stadium.”
Major League Baseball has seen the amount of Black players in the league dwindle over the years and the sport tried to make more efforts to attract young Black fans to the game.
Sunday’s MLB Draft was an encouraging sign that trend could be changing as four of the first five draft picks were Black — a first in MLB history.
With Robinson being honored on Tuesday, Betts was certainly doing his part in continuing his legacy.
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