Jackie Robinson Day: Stamford’s Bobby Valentine reflects on athlete and activist

Today is the anniversary of the day Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947.

After retiring from baseball, Robinson retired to Stamford where he lived until he died in 1973.

There is a park in Stamford dedicated to Robinson.

News 12 spoke with former Dodger Bobby Valentine who reflected on the discrimination that Robinson faced.

"He's in the Army. He refuses to sit in the back of the bus. They court martial him he gets out with an honorable discharge. He had to endure such ridiculous situations while playing in a Dodger uniform," said Valentine.

All MLB players will wear No. 42 today, which was retired for all teams in 1997 on the 50th anniversary of Robinson's achievement.