PHOENIX — "Maybe tomorrow, we will all wear 42. That way they won't tell us apart."
That quote was made famous by the 2013 film, '42: The Jackie Robinson Story,' a biopic about the baseball trailblazer.
It was said as a show of support for Robinson, played by the late Chadwick Boseman, from his Brooklyn Dodger teammate, Pee Wee Reese, played by Lucas Black, on the field during a game against the Cincinnati Reds after Robinson broke baseball's color barrier in 1947.
While that moment may have been dramatized for the movie — it was actually said in the Dodgers' clubhouse by a teammate in response to a death threat sent to Robinson in a letter, according to longtime Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully — the spirit behind it lives on.
On Monday, every player, manager and coach in Major League Baseball will trade in their normal number for a Dodger blue No. 42 to honor Robinson on Jackie Robinson Day.
Jackie Robinson Day is held every year on April 15, the anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier by playing his first game for the Dodgers at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York.
In the years since, MLB has continued to honor Robinson's legacy and on the 50th anniversary of Robinson's debut in 1997, his number was retired leaguewide. It is the only number retired by every MLB team.
April 15th has been dedicated by MLB as Jackie Robinson Day since 2004 and MLB has requested that all players wear No. 42 on that day since 2009.
This year, players, coaches, managers and umpires will also have a "42" patch on the sides of their hats and players will wear special Jackie Robinson Day-themed shirts during batting practice.
Many players will also wear socks and other accessories with a "42" logo to honor Robinson. You can see what the hats and jerseys will look like here.
A special tribute video, called "Pasadena Fields," will be shown in all ballparks on Monday. You can watch the video here.
How the Arizona Diamondbacks are commemorating Jackie Robinson Day
The D-backs are hosting the Chicago Cubs on Jackie Robinson Day.
A press release from MLB says the D-backs will hold a special pregame ceremony saluting "those in the community who are making a positive impact and carrying on the legacy of Jackie Robinson."
The national anthem and 'Lift Every Voice and Sing,' the Black national anthem, will be sung by the choir from Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Phoenix.
Raven Gibson will throw the ceremonial first pitch. She is from the Valley and is the founder of Legendary Rootz, a Phoenix-based business "that sells apparel and gift items celebrating the Black community and was one of Target’s featured businesses for Black History Month," according to the press release.
The D-backs will also honor the Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year.
The team will also recognize the East Valley United Black Firefighters, a group that focuses on "involvement and development in African-American communities, fostering promotion and advancement and promoting overall well-being," according to the press release.
Fans who purchase a special Jackie Robinson Day ticket package will also receive a hat with Robinson's No. 42 on the side. You can purchase tickets by clicking here.
The game will begin at 6:40 p.m. on Monday, but make sure to get to your seat early for the pregame ceremony.
To find out how other MLB teams are commemorating Jackie Robinson Day, click here.
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to five major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks and NHL's Arizona Coyotes.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale. The Coyotes play at Mullett Arena on ASU's Tempe campus.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events on a yearly basis, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
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