Dodgers, Mets' historic meeting on Jackie Robinson Day reminds us there's still work to do

It's been over two decades since MLB started recognizing Jackie Robinson Day annually, but the Dodgers and Mets — who will wrap up a three-game series tonight in LA — have never been matched up on April 15 since the tradition began.

It doesn't really make sense. You have the team that Robinson broke the color barrier with in the Dodgers, and the team that has ostensibly replaced them in New York, who play in a stadium with a facade modeled after the legendary Ebbets Field in the Mets. This should be the matchup every year.

The Dodgers have seen the Giants multiple times on April 15, which also works given the two clubs' histories in New York City, but something about old guard vs. new just makes more sense.

The Dodgers already have this series in the bag off of a fantastic eight-inning start for Justin Wrobleski in the opener and a 7 2/3 inning, one-run effort that announced his 2026 Cy Young campaign. There are no real stakes for anyone involved going into this finale (even though the Mets probably want to snap this ridiculous seven-game losing streak they're on), but Wednesday's game is just going to feel different.

Unsurprisingly, the Dodgers do more than any other team to recognize Robinson's legacy. This year, they're giving away a commemorative jersey. They, along with the visiting team, always hold a reflection outside the stadium at Robinson's memorial statue, usually featuring his descendants. They're also hosting a career development panel through their foundation and the Dodgers Black Action Network.

It's good work. It's necessary work. But the work isn't over after just one day.

Dodgers should be carrying Jackie Robinson's legacy with every day, not just on April 15

Since Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, Black players have remained underrepresented in the game. In 2024, MLB had "its lowest Black population in the sport since 1955." That number has increased over the last few years, from 5.7% in 2024 to 6% in 2025 and now 6.4% in 2026.

But Devin Williams, Marcus Semien, and Tommy Pham are the only Black American players on the Mets' roster. Mookie Betts is the only Black American player on the Dodgers' 40-man roster. Jackie Robinson's team has only a single Black player.

This isn't just a Dodgers problem; it's a baseball problem.

Per the 2024 census, the median household income for Black families is lowest among five polled racial groups. While this is, of course, not a catch-all, young Black kids oftentimes just can't afford the same opportunities as others, and the monetary barrier to entry into organized baseball is getting harder to overcome.

MLB does make efforts to grow the game through cost-subsidized or free programs to support kids who otherwise might not be able to afford gear, or parents who might not be able to afford the time to support their kids' endeavors. But more can always be done. More should always be done.

The Dodgers honor Jackie's legacy by working closely with the foundation in his name, they do it by donating to a Little League non-profit whose statue of Robinson was desecrated. They do it by wearing 42 on April 15 and remembering what he did and endured for the game.

But this, though we wish it wasn't, is a constant struggle. The Dodgers, as Jackie Robinson's team, have more of a responsibility than anyone to engage in it not just on every April 15 but every day in between.

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