Abdul-Jabbar told stories about becoming a Brooklyn Dodger fan at a young age because of Robinson and getting to meet him later in life. “Jack always had the idea that he was an equal human being

Jackie Robinson’s legacy is being celebrated around the major leagues on Tuesday, with the day named for the first Black baseball player of the modern era and marking the 78th anniversary of his debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Gathering at the Jackie Robinson statue in Centerfield Plaza has become a special annual tradition for the Dodgers every April 15, when the baseball world observes the anniversary of Robinson breaking Major League Baseball's color barrier.