Ken Griffey Jr. was first to ask to wear No. 42 on Jackie Robinson Day
•Yahoo Sports
On the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's big-league debut, his number was retired. Ken Griffey Jr. asked to wear Robinson's No.
42.
Throughout MLB, Jackie Robinson's No. 42 is worn on April 15, Jackie Robinson Day. Former Moeller High School standout and Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr.
was the first to ask to wear Robinson's number on this day. In 1997, on the 50th anniversary of Robinson's big-league debut, then-MLB commissioner Bud Selig retired Robinson's number. Griffey, who was playing for Seattle at the time, asked to switch from his No.
24 to Robinson's 42. Griffey said Selig suggested asking Rachel Robinson, Jackie's widow. Griffey was told he could wear No.