Martin Luther King Jr. Day was observed on Monday in celebration of what would have been his 93rd birthday. The civil rights icon was honored across the sports world, including MLB, which saw the Los Angeles Dodgers and other teams remember his life and legacy.
Dodgers part-owner Magic Johnson recognized King in a series of tweets, expressing his gratitude and reminding of the importance of justice and equality for all.
The Dodgers also paid tribute to King by showing his image on the video boards at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers and King have been connected for decades, including most recently last year when the Martin Luther King Jr. Brotherhood presented manager Dave Roberts with the 2021 Brotherhood Award.
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/sxsChia5bC
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) January 18, 2022
“The Martin Luther King Jr. Brotherhood Celebration Breakfast is a Los Angeles institution, and I’m honored to receive the Brotherhood Award and share the stage with two dear friends and community leaders – Sharon Robinson and Stedman Graham,” Roberts said at the time.
“I’ve long admired The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles’ mission and impact, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to join them in celebrating Dr. King’s legacy in our community and beyond.”
King, Dodgers connected through Jackie Robinson
The Dodgers and King were first intertwined through Jackie Robinson, who famously broke MLB’s color barrier on April 15, 1947. Robinson and King simultaneously received honorary doctorates from Howard University, and were together for the March on Washington.
King once commended Branch Rickey for his support and commitment to establishing equality for all, and he thanked Don Newcombe, Roy Campanella and Robinson for helping inspire change.
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