MLB Programs & Initiatives

Social responsibility is one of the main tenets of Major League Baseball. Through their commitment to spreading awareness with these league-wide programs and initiatives, in partnerships with several non-profit organizations, each of the 30 MLB Clubs are able to make a large impact on the various communities they serve. Throughout the season, the Rangers celebrate these initiatives at Globe Life Field.

Robinson played his first Major League game at Ebbets Field on April 15, 1947 as a first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Major League Baseball has celebrated Jackie Robinson’s legacy in an extensive and unified League-wide show of support over the years, including retiring his number throughout the Majors in 1997, dedicating April 15th as Jackie Robinson Day each year since 2004, and requesting that every player and all on-field personnel wear his number 42 during games scheduled on Jackie Robinson Day since 2009. Major League Baseball aims to educate all fans about Jackie Robinson, his life’s accomplishments and his legacy, while also spearheading initiatives that support communities and meaningfully address diversity and inclusion at all levels of our sport. For more information, please visit MLBCommunity.org.

In collaboration with MLB and USA Baseball, Play Ball Weekend is an extension of the Play Ball initiative. It is the sport's largest effort to encourage widespread participation in both formal and casual baseball and softball activities. Play Ball Weekend also is a symbolic recognition of what MLB clubs do year-round to support the growth of youth baseball and softball in their respective communities and beyond.

Major League Baseball champions the “Going To Bat Against Breast Cancer” program in conjunction with Mother’s Day every year. The program, launched in 2006, helps to raise awareness and funds for research toward the fight against breast cancer. The initiative supports Stand Up To Cancer and Susan G. Komen.

In honor of Father’s Day and as part of the League’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness for various forms of cancer, all 30 Clubs throughout Major League Baseball will devote the day to celebrating fathers and increasing awareness of the fight against prostate cancer.

Major League Baseball dedicates a weekend in September to childhood cancer awareness in recognition of September being National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. MLB, in partnership with Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), is committed to eradicating the diseases that these brave young people face every day. As a founding donor of Stand Up To Cancer, Major League Baseball has pledged more than $50 million to SU2C’s collaborative cancer research programs, providing invaluable support.

Lou Gehrig joins fellow Baseball Legends Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente as the only players whose legacies are celebrated annually with dedicated, league-wide days. June 2nd was specifically chosen as the date for Lou Gehrig Day as it marks when Gehrig became the Yankees starting first baseman, thus cementing the start of his incredible streak of consecutive games played, as well as the day he passed from complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. This special occasion follows a campaign led by the “Lou Gehrig Day Committee” (www.lg4day.com), which is comprised of individuals, family and friends affected by ALS, as well as organizations leading the way on awareness and fundraising for the movement to end the disease.

Major League Baseball established Roberto Clemente Day in 2002 to complement the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, which annually recognizes a Major League player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions, both on and off the field.