Ryan Howard, Dusty Baker pay tribute to Jackie Robinson

Friday marked the 69th anniversary of the day Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers and the occasion was celebrated by every team.

The Phillies held a pregame tribute and all MLB players wore No. 42.

This is a day of deep appreciation and pride for major-league players, especially African Americans.

"Everything he went through, the adversities, the turmoil, it is not easy for somebody to do that," Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard said before the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. "For him to be able to do that and pave the way, not only for myself, to help change the country and views of the country, it speaks volumes."

Washington's Dusty Baker is one of two African American managers in the majors along with Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Baker, a two-time all-star as a player, was passionate when talking about the impact Robinson had on his life.

"It means a lot to me because I wouldn't be sitting here if it wasn't for Jackie Robinson," Baker said. "It meant a lot to my parents and most African Americans of past generations who were Brooklyn Dodger fans because of Jackie Robinson."

Baker says he could only imagine all the adversity that Robinson had to go through to break the color barrier.

"Not only to handle the pressure, but to handle everything meant a lot to me," Baker said. "It's ironic, somebody told me this was my 42nd [major-league] opening day and Jackie's number is 42 and I will be proud to wear it."

Robinson faced numerous incidents of racism, especially his initial season in the majors. When Brooklyn played in Philadelphia against the Phillies in 1947, he was the subject of racist taunts.

On Friday, City Council publicly acknowledged the mistreatment that Robinson endured.

"He faced tremendous racism in our city," Councilwoman Helen Gym said. "It was something he never forgot . . . but neither should we."

Gym presented a resolution, passed by the council last month, before about 100 children, city leaders and Robinson fans who gathered at the Philadelphia Stars Negro League Memorial Park.

Darin Ruf, who last played on Monday because of a left shoulder injury, was available for action Friday. Manager Pete Mackanin said Ruf would start against Nationals lefthander Gio Gonzalez on Sunday. . . . After the 16-striketout performance by Phillies righthander Vince Velasquez in Thursday's 3-0 win over San Diego, Mackanin said the veteran catcher Carlos Ruiz had the best line. "He said we've got a good rotation - that is our fifth starter," Mackanin said. . . . Second baseman Emmanuel Burriss became the third player to hit leadoff for the Phillies this year, joining Freddy Galvis and Cesar Hernandez. Burriss was playing for Hernandez, who was given a rest. . . . On Saturday, Nationals righthander Max Scherzer (1-0, 4.15 ERA) faces Aaron Nola (0-1, 3.21). Nola had a career-high nine strikeouts Monday in his last outing, a 4-3 loss to San Diego.