In 2004, MLB established April 15 as Jackie Robinson Day because that was the day he debuted for the Dodgers and broke the league's color barrier in 1947.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are the team most closely linked to Jackie Robinson Day, because when he wore that blue No. 42 in his trailblazing MLB career, it was for the Dodgers. But a mid-career move to Hollywood for Robinson and the Dodgers doesn't wipe out where his initial color barrier-breaking actions happened: in Brooklyn.

MLB chose to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day on April 15 to mark the anniversary of his first game with the Dodgers. Robinson officially broke the color barrier April 15, 1947. On that date, Robinson started at first base and hit second in a 5-3 win over the Boston Braves. Robinson went 0-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt in his first game in the majors.