UCLA pays tribute to Jackie Robinson with new retro baseball uniforms

UCLA unveiled a new retro baseball uniform on Monday, April 13 that will be worn throughout a weeklong celebration in honor of Jackie Robinson.

The throwbacks were revealed to the media and the No. 1-ranked team in the nation in a presentation by Sonya Pankey, Robinson’s eldest granddaughter and executive vice president of brand development for The Jackie Robinson Estate.

The uniforms feature a navy blue hat with the UCLA script B logo and cream-colored jerseys and pants with navy piping and a "Bruins" block wordmark across the chest. While players will have their own last names across the back, each jersey will have Robinson's iconic No. 42.

“Jackie Robinson was a true visionary, an advocate for social justice, a progressive change agent and not just a number on a jersey,” Pankey told reporters. “He was a pioneer, he used his platform to challenge injustice, inspire change and open doors for generations to come.”

Robinson broke MLB's color barrier as its first Black player on April 15, 1947. The anniversary of that day is commemorated every year as Jackie Robinson Day, with No. 42 worn by players across the big leagues. Robinson, who grew up in Pasadena, California, lettered in baseball, basketball, football and track at UCLA from 1939-41.

The Bruins have honored one of their most important alumni in several ways over the years, including with a No. 42 monument in front of the John Wooden Recreation Center and christening their baseball stadium in his name.

Pankey will throw out the first pitch of Tuesday night's game against UC Santa Barbara following a pregame ceremony. UCLA is also rolling out promotions for each of its four home games this week, including raffles, prizes for fans wearing Jackie Robinson jerseys, legacy hat giveaways and $1 hot dogs for the first 142 fans in attendance.

“The story doesn’t end here,” Pankey told the UCLA players, many of whom wore navy blue "42" hoodies. “You guys are the future and I hope you use his story as a guide for your future mission. To the Bruins, wishing you guys continued success to the season, I hope you wear the jersey with pride and let it inspire you to build your own legacy that opens doors and creates opportunities for others to follow.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UCLA baseball honors Jackie Robinson with throwback uniforms