Every April 15, Major League Baseball and the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate Jackie Robinson Day, the man who broke the color barrier in 1947. Players wear No. 42 jerseys, patches on caps, videos in ballparks, and stories about Robinson everywhere. But these gestures mean nothing when placed against the backdrop of actions – or inactions – that go against what Robinson stood for.
The Celebration vs. The Reality
The Dodgers joined the Colorado Rockies at the Jackie Robinson statue at Dodger Stadium to talk about his life and legacy. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar even got emotional about Robinson’s lasting impact. But just days before, the Dodgers went to the White House to celebrate their 2024 World Series win with President Donald Trump – an administration that tried to remove Robinson’s military service from the Department of Justice website as part of their overall attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
When public pressure forced the DOJ to restore Robinson’s story, neither the Dodgers nor MLB condemned the erasure. And books about racism in sports were removed from Naval Academy libraries, including books about Robinson and other Black athletes.
As Abdul-Jabbar said in his speech, “You can’t honor the legacy of Jackie Robinson while erasing what he stood for.” Symbolic celebrations are hollow when there’s silence in the face of DEI attacks.
Dodgers’ Hypocrisy Under Microscope
When asked if celebrating Robinson while at the White House was hypocritical, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, “I don’t see it as talking out of both sides of our mouth.” He talked about unity and tradition, saying it wasn’t political but rather a long-standing practice.
But that ignores context. Previous presidents hosting championship teams never tried to undermine the legacies of those teams’ most iconic figures. This administration is actively attacking the values Robinson fought for—diversity, equity, inclusion—making the Dodgers’ decision far more complicated than just protocol.
Roberts said, “This isn’t a one-day situation. It’s Jackie Robinson’s day, breaking the color barrier, but this is an everyday mindset and appreciation.” If that’s true, then why hasn’t the organization supported Robinson’s principles beyond the annual tribute?
Treinen’s Precedent and Mixed Messages
In 2021, Blake Treinen opted out of a White House visit during Joe Biden’s presidency, citing personal beliefs. His choice was respected, yet no such exemption appeared available this time around. Mookie Betts and Roberts themselves had previously vowed not to attend events hosted by Trump during his first term, given the heightened awareness of racial injustice at the time. But now, amid shifting societal priorities, they prioritized team unity over individual convictions.
While it’s understandable to avoid distractions, their presence at the White House raises questions about the Dodgers’ commitment to social justice. Are they truly aligned with the causes championed by the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF), which focuses heavily on community empowerment and DEI? Or are these efforts merely performative, designed for good PR and tax benefits?
MLB’s Complicity in Silence
The league itself isn’t blameless either. Despite Commissioner Rob Manfred initially pledging to uphold MLB’s values on diversity, the organization caved under pressure. References to diversity were removed from its careers page, and the Diversity Pipeline Program—a critical initiative aimed at increasing representation in leadership roles—was scrapped entirely.
In its press release for Jackie Roosevelt Robinson Day, MLB altered language to downplay mentions of race, racism, or the significance of breaking the color barrier. This sanitized version glosses over the very struggles that defined Robinson’s career and contributions.
Abdul-Jabbar summed it up best: “Trump wants to get rid of DEI… And I think it’s just a ruse to discriminate.” By failing to resist such agendas, MLB undermines its own claims of celebrating Robinson’s legacy.
What Fans Deserve
For fans, corporations like MLB and franchises like the Dodgers often disappoint when profit trumps moral responsibility. But for an organization historically proud of its role in advancing social justice—from Jackie Robinson to Fernando Valenzuela—the Dodgers must choose a side. Either they actively support positive change, or they remain politically neutral. Straddling the fence only perpetuates hypocrisy.
Fans deserve better. They deserve an organization willing to stand firmly for the values it claims to uphold—not one content with symbolic gestures that mask deeper failures.