Happy Birthday Jackie!

Today would have been Jackie Robinson’s 94th birthday, which gives us the opportunity to revisit Sunday, July 18, 2010. That night we celebrated the legacy of Jackie Robinson – the first African-American in the modern era to play in the major leagues.

As part of  “Jackie Robinson Tribute Night” at “The Joe,” in conjunction with the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the first 4,000 fans through the gates received a Jackie Robinson Hall of Fame plaque postcard.

The Hall also brought Robinson’s original bronze Hall of Fame plaque that hung in the Museum’s famous Plaque Gallery from 1962 – the year Robinson was elected to the Hall of Fame – until 2008. In ’08, the below plaque was replaced with an updated one that further documented his lasting legacy on the game.

Jorge De Leon poses with the original Jackie Robinson Hall of Fame plaque.

As you notice above, the team all wore #42 Dodger-style uniforms.

The jerseys were auctioned off during the game, with proceeds going to the New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation to use for local field renovation projects.

Ben Orloff presenting his game-worn jersey.

The grounds crew even painted a red star on the field with “42″ in the middle.

Minor League Baseball President Pat O’ Conner was in attendance and threw out a ceremonial first pitch.

Staff from the Hall of Fame’s Education Department was on hand with information about the Museum’s outreach and membership programs, along with information about Jackie Robinson and key lessons from the Hall of Fame’s cultural diversity education programs.

As for the game, the ValleyCats appropriately hosted the Brooklyn Cyclones.

The ‘Cats lost the game 7-6 in 10 innings. This was just about the point in the season where the ‘Cats turned it around and began the special run towards their New York-Penn League Championship title. The ‘Cats went on to sweep Brooklyn in the championship series.