42: Lindsay Guentzel

History can be changed on any given day, at any given time. For baseball fans, April 15 will always be a day where we take a minute and count our blessings for the opportunities we are given in life.

It’s nearly impossible to fully comprehend what Jackie Robinson accomplished – not only for America’s pastime but also for a country that was struggling to heal a national divide. Unfortunately for our generation, we weren’t able to see it first hand. But that doesn’t mean Jackie’s message holds any less value for us as we continue to celebrate his legacy today. Life threw Jackie a curveball and he handled it with an immense amount of humility, grace and courage, and it is because of his sacrifice that all players – regardless of their race, creed or color – are welcomed into Major League Baseball with open arms.

Everyone has their own feelings towards today, but for me personally, being able to wear the number 42 is an honor. I fell in love with baseball while watching the Twins with my dad, a sport he fell in love with while cheering on Jackie and the Brooklyn Dodgers as a kid. And someday I’ll get to share my love of the game with my own children, passing along the legacy that will forever be attached to number 42.