Jackie Robinson's #42 retired across Major League Baseball! (Re-live the day of the announcement)

Kevin Campbell receiving warm applause from the crowd after a marvelous rendition of the impossible dream the opening moments of the ceremonies about to take place honoring Jackie Robinson Spike Lee among those on in and now the president of the United States and Rachel Robinson the widow of Jackie Robinson I've been just introduced to the crowd. They are now making their way out onto the field Well guarded well supported of course the president still recovering from the fall he took it break Norman's house a short time ago So using the crutches to support himself Also with Rachel Robinson and the president is the acting commissioner of baseball But but Seelig who before the game was talking about growing up in Milwaukee and seeing Jackie Robinson bedeviled the Milwaukee Braves and Warren Spahn and Lou Burdette a Very special moment for baseball a special moment for America and now the flashbulbs popping As the fans from all sections taking photos of the president on the field As I said an exciting moment But also a an enjoyable moment as baseball takes a rare break in the middle of the game right now the acting commissioner About to say some words president, but Seelig. This is Robinson ladies and gentlemen Throughout its long history Major League Baseball has operated under the premise that no single person is bigger than the game No single person other than Jackie Robinson in his life and in the remarkable legacy he left for all Americans Jackie Robinson was and remains bigger than the game Jackie's entry into Major League Baseball 50 years ago today Will forever remain baseball's proudest moment This evening we are paying tribute to Jackie for his great achievements and the significant contributions He made to society all of which helped make our country a better place In honor of Jackie Major League Baseball is taking the unprecedented step of retiring his uniform number number 42 in perpetuity those players Those players who currently wear 42 including those like Butch Husky of the Mets and And move on of the Boston Red Sox who wear the number in Tribute to Jackie may continue to wear the number for the remainder of their careers however Number 42 from this day forward will never again be issued by a Major League Club Number 42 belongs to Jackie Robinson for the ages Ladies and gentlemen, may I now direct your attention to the left field wall for a special unveiling Ladies and gentlemen Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce the president of the United States bill Ladies and gentlemen, this is Robinson members of the Robinson family It is hard to believe That it was 50 years ago at Ebbets Field That a 28 year old rookie changed the face of baseball and the face of America forever Jackie Robinson scored the go-ahead run that day and we've all been trying to catch up ever since today, I think every American Should say a special word of thanks To Jackie Robinson and to Branch Rickey and to the members of the Dodger team Who made him one of their own and proved that America is a better? Stronger richer country when we all work together and give everyone a chance And today I think we should remember that Jackie Robinson's legacy did not end with baseball For afterward he spent the rest of his life Trying to open other doors and keep them open for all kinds of people He knew that education not sports was the key to Success in life for nearly everyone and he took that message to young people wherever he went. I Has given hundreds of young people a chance to build the life of their dreams. I Can't help thinking that if Jackie Robinson were here with us tonight He would say that we have done a lot of good in the last 50 years But we can do better We have achieved equality on the playing field But we need to establish equality in the boardrooms of baseball and throughout corporate America And we need to make sure That even as we celebrate his brilliant successor Tiger Woods victory in the Masters We need even more of our young people from all walks of life To get their master's degrees and help to make more of their lives in this country And he would remind us look around this stadium tonight That as we sit side-by-side at baseball games We must make sure that we walk out of these stadiums together We must stand for something more magnificent even than a Grand Slam home run We ought to have a Grand Slam Society a good society where all of us have a chance to work together For a better tomorrow for our children Let that be the true legacy of Jackie Robinson's wonderful remarkable career and life Ladies and gentlemen, please. Welcome mrs. Rachel Robinson Mr. President on behalf of the Robinson family the Jackie Robinson Foundation Major League Baseball and all of our constituents We wish to express our deep appreciation to you tonight for your presence and for the leadership that you are giving to us in crucial aspects of this celebration This this anniversary has given us an opportunity as a nation to celebrate together the triumphs of the past and The social progress that has occurred it has also Given us an opportunity to reassess the challenges of the present It is my passionate hope that we can take this reawakened feeling of unity and Use it as a driving force So that each of us can recommit to equality of opportunity for all Americans I believe the greatest Thank you, I believe That the greatest tribute that we can pay to Jackie Robinson is to gain new support For a more equitable society and in this heady environment of unity It is my hope that we can carry this living legacy Beyond this glorious moment. This is a great moment for all of us Thank you