BALTIMORE -- Byron Buxton was able to man center field at Camden Yards on Monday night because of the barrier broken by Jackie Robinson 77 years ago today, so in honor of MLB’s annual celebration of Jackie Robinson Day, Buxton took Jackie out to center with him.
The Twins’ center fielder did that by sporting a pair of custom Robinson cleats on his feet in the Twins’ 7-4 loss to the Orioles, colored solid black with blue laces, presumably in homage to Robinson’s career with the Dodgers.
The left side of the left cleat displayed an artistic representation of Robinson in his Dodgers uniform, while the right side of the right cleat was emblazoned with Robinson’s iconic quote:
“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”
Buxton also arrived at Oriole Park -- and departed -- on Monday wearing a Negro Leagues jersey to honor the occasion.
"If it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't be playing baseball now,” Buxton said. “So to break those barriers and to have [Black players] to be able to come over and play the game is something special and dear to me.”
Though the Twins are on the road, the organization will continue to honor Robinson’s legacy on Tuesday with a visit by mascot T.C. Bear and front office staff to a local elementary school in a continuation of the club’s “Reading is Powerful” program, as part of which they will educate students on Robinson’s values and teach through baseball-related stories.