LOS ANGELES — It has become a Jackie Robinson Day tradition at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers players, coaches and staff surround the statue of Jackie Robinson in the center field plaza, joined by the visiting team (in this case the Colorado Rockies) with everyone wearing Robinson’s jersey No. 42.
Guest speakers have become a part of the tradition as well with former Dodgers player and coach Reggie Smith and civil rights activist Harry Edwards speaking last year and NBA and UCLA great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar this year.
“It’s great to be here on this day, especially, because he was a hero of mine from Day 1, when I became aware of him,” Abdul-Jabbar said, telling stories about becoming a fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers because of Robinson and then getting to meet him for the first time in 1970.
“Jack always had the idea that he was an equal human being to everybody else. … I’m very proud of being able to emulate Jackie in the right way. You can do things the wrong way but Jackie showed us how to do it the right way and I’m very thankful for that.”
Robinson’s legacy has been up for discussion recently after the Department of Defense removed a story about his military service from the government website as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to purge DEI programs (diversity, equality and inclusion).
The story was returned to the website after a public backlash.
That makes Tuesday’s recognition of Robinson throughout baseball even more important, Abdul-Jabbar said.
“I think it’s absolutely important,” he said. “Trump wants to get rid of DEI. And I think it’s just a ruse to discriminate. So I’m glad that we do things like this, to let everybody in the country know what’s important. They also tried to get rid of (abolitionist and social activist) Harriet Tubman. But that didn’t work. There was just uproar about that. But you have to take that into consideration when we think about what’s going on today.”
One of only two black managers in MLB (along with Angels manager Ron Washington), Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said there is a need for “a continued wakeup call” about racism in America.
“This is not a one-day situation,” Roberts said. “It’s Jackie Robinson’s day for breaking the color barrier, but this is like an everyday sort of mindset, appreciation.”
The Dodgers were criticized by some for visiting President Trump at the White House in the midst of the DEI purge and the removal of Robinson’s bio from the DOD website. But Roberts said celebrating Robinson is a separate issue.
“I don’t personally view it as talking out of both sides of our mouth,” he said. “I understand how people feel that way. But I do think that supporting our country, staying unified, aligned, is what I believe in personally. I just believe in doing things the right way and I think people are going to have their opinions on what we did last week but I do know that we all stand unified and we all have different stories and backgrounds and economic, political beliefs. But I was proud that we all stood together.”
MOTA STROKE
Dodgers legend Manny Mota was hospitalized after suffering a stroke Monday.
According to the team, the 87-year-old Mota is recovering and is “responsive to commands and resting comfortably.”
Mota’s son, Jose, is a member of the Dodgers’ broadcast. He said Manny had a blood clot removed and has responded well. He could be released from the hospital soon to recover at home.
Mota spent 20 seasons in the big leagues, including 13 with the Dodgers, where he was an All-Star in 1973 and one of the best pinch-hitters in baseball history. When he retired, he held the record for the most career pinch hits (a record that has since been broken). He has been a coach and broadcaster with the Dodgers as well.
MILLER TIME
Right-hander Bobby Miller will be promoted from Triple-A Oklahoma City and start for the Dodgers on Wednesday.
After going 11-4 with a 3.76 ERA in 22 starts as a rookie in 2023, Miller regressed badly in 2024 and was demoted to Triple-A for much of the season. This spring, he was hit in the head by a line drive during his first Cactus League start, delaying the start of his season.
Miller has pitched 12 innings in three games for OKC (two starts and one following an “opener”) with a 2.25 ERA but 11 walks and 11 strikeouts.
REHAB ROUNDUP
Right-hander Tony Gonsolin made his third rehab start with OKC on Tuesday and threw 66 pitches over four innings.
Gonsolin retired the first six batters he faced but allowed three runs in the third inning. In all, he gave up six hits in his four innings, walked one and struck out five.
Reliever Evan Phillips made his fifth rehab appearance in the same game and gave up two runs on three consecutive hits before striking out two to end the inning.
ALSO
Outfielder Teoscar Hernandez rejoined the Dodgers on Tuesday and went through a full workout. Roberts said he expects Hernandez to be back in the starting lineup on Wednesday. Hernandez was the third Dodgers player to miss time with a stomach illness in recent weeks, joining Mookie Betts and Kiké Hernandez.
UP NEXT
Rockies (RHP German Marquez, 0-2, 4.60 ERA) at Dodgers (RHP Bobby Miller, 2-4, 8.52 ERA in 2024), Wednesday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM