Jackie Robinson Way unveiled for 75th anniversary

Seventy-five years ago, before it was known that a Black man could be the President of the United States and the first female V.P. would be a Black woman, before interracial couples could legally wed and every citizen had the right to vote, there was a Black man named Jackie Robinson who wanted to play in Major League Baseball. 

On this date -- April 15 -- in 1947, at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, Robinson made his debut with the Dodgers, breaking the color barrier and becoming the National League’s first Black player, the first player in what was then considered Major League Baseball. 

On Friday morning, the 75th anniversary of his groundbreaking achievement, another landmark was bestowed upon Robinson roughly 10 miles northwest of that historic location. 

In a press conference in Times Square, the City of New York, in partnership with MLB, declared that 42nd Street and Broadway will temporarily be renamed Jackie Robinson Way. 

Commissioner Rob Manfred; Sonya Pankey, the eldest granddaughter of Robinson and his wife, Rachel; Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr., Mariano Rivera -- the last Major Leaguer to wear No. 42 -- and Joe Torre; and former big leaguers Willie Randolph, CC Sabathia and Butch Huskey all took part in the special unveiling ceremony. 

A close-up of the Jackie Robinson Way marker, which will go up at 42nd Street & Broadway this afternoon for all to see 

A close-up of the Jackie Robinson Way marker, which will go up at 42nd Street & Broadway this afternoon for all to see 

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