Granderson, teammates proud to honor Jackie Robinson

Atop Curtis Granderson's locker was a small model of Jackie Robinson in a classic slide, presumably into home plate. On a chair next to it sat a pair of custom-made shoes, with Robinson's No. 42 on the heels and tongues.

And in front of it stood a reporter, asking what reporters ask him every April 15. As always, he was happy to accommodate because, well, isn't talking -- and remembering -- the point of Jackie Robinson Day?

"People say, 'Are you worried it might be forgotten?' '' he said. "But I hear people tell stories of their sons' and daughters' first book reports being on Jackie Robinson. Six, 7-, 8-, 9-year-old kids . . . So I don't think it's going away anytime soon.''

Not if players such as Granderson and Major League Baseball have anything to say about it. Awareness of Robinson's legacy has only risen in the 15 years since Robinson's number was retired, other than for players already wearing it.

But some Jackie Robinson Days are bigger than others, and for the 65th anniversary of his integration of the majors, the Yankees honored his widow, Rachel, and daughter, Sharon, before the nationally televised game against the Angels. Each got pregame hugs from Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano, who is named for the pioneering Dodger.

"This is very important to bring back up the history and to think how much we went through to get a fully integrated Major League Baseball,'' Sharon Robinson said.

Every player wore No. 42 Sunday night, but one stood out. If Mariano Rivera retires after the season, it marked the final time a player will wear 42 as his regular number on Robinson's day. "It's a privilege,'' Rivera said.

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Yankees of all backgrounds seemed moved by the occasion. "What a special day for all major-leaguers,'' Mark Teixeira said, "especially here in New York, where history is everything.''

Said CC Sabathia: "I wouldn't be standing here without the things he went through and the things he sacrificed in his life. So I always think it's important, not just only on this day.''

Robinson's legacy is secure, but African-American players past and present are saddened by a sharp decline in American-born blacks playing baseball. Many have tried to help revive the sport in that community.

"I'm pretty passionate about it,'' Sabathia said. "I chose baseball because I met Dave Stewart when I was 9. That's why I'm always trying to let kids see that this is an opportunity. But it's tough.''

Granderson said the key is well-promoted role models.

"If you ask the players today, we all have Ken Griffey Jr. stories,'' he said. "That's because he constantly was out there being displayed, so you tried to hit like him. You wore your hat backward like him.''

Granderson recently signed with New Balance and was told it could make any sort of shoe he desired. He came up with the Robinson tribute. The shoes -- and the two jerseys he planned to wear -- will be auctioned, with proceeds going to the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

He figured it was the least he could do.