Yesterday, players in every MLB game donned the #42 worn by Jackie Robinson as he played his first game as a Brooklyn Dodger and broke the color barrier 63 years earlier.  It is a nice tribute, in theory.   But those of us who know who Jackie was, and how he helped change things don’t need to see 42 on everyone’s backs to remember.  And those who don’t know, may never understand.

Here are two ideas that I think would make the #42 mean something again.  As you may know the number was retired by MLB years ago.  Players who already were wearing the number were allowed to keep it- but no new numbers would be issued.  Mariano Rivera is the last of those players.  What if MLB while working with the Robinson foundation allowed players who wanted to sign an integrity agreement to apply to wear the number.  Only those who have shown outstanding character would be allowed to don the number.  The process would be secret, and not every player who applied would be permitted- but each year on April 15th the new players who had been granted permission could be announced.

Come on now, we know that there are players who wore #42 yesterday who it means nothing to.  What if getting to wear the number again really meant something to the person- and perhaps helped him choose to make better choices.  That new #42 would be a role model for young people today, as Jackie was 63 years ago.  Stories could be written about these new players that would speak to the good being done today- as well as why wearing that number matters.  Its what Rachel Robinson wants to have happen, you know.  She wants that number to matter.   Wearing it yesterday didn’t make that happen.

My second idea is to take the money spent on uniforms for all MLB teams and open an Urban Youth Academy in Brooklyn.  Begin to honor that legacy right wear it started.  It should bear Jackie’s name, and the kids from it should be who we physically honor each April 15th.

Jackie Robinson’s legacy is important.  Perhaps the most important legacy in baseball.  We shouldn’t honor it by putting it in and around baseball.  It should be above baseball.  That’s wear that #42 should stand.

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