by A.J. Coltrane
Major League Baseball honors Jackie Robinson once each year by having all of the players wear the number 42, which was Robinson’s number.
That’d be fine, I think. But they go one step further and remove the player names from the backs of the uniforms.
Which makes it very difficult for me to watch:
“Who the hell is that?”
I say to myself.
Over and over and over again.
So the one day I won’t watch baseball is… Jackie Robinson Day.
And I was kinda looking forward to hanging out with the Mariners tonight.
FlatbreadGarden 
It’s the worst night of the year to watch baseball. This conversion will happen all over the country.
Person #1: Who just hit the home run?
Person #2: Number 42
Later the same night
Person#1: Who just threw that beautiful strike?
Person #2: Number 42, this one has a beard
Even later the same night
Person #1: Who just made that error?
Person #2: Number 42, Too bad it is so early in the season I don’t recognize them by sight yet.
Worst way to honor Jackie, make baseball fans not watch baseball.
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I disagree here. I think it is a fitting tribute. The idea is to honor Jackie by not making it about individuals, thus removing the name from the back of the jerseys. I actually never liked the NOB anyway – I am a traditionalist in that sense, along with home whites and road greys. It isn’t like football or basketball or hockey where players are out of postion all of the time. If a ball is hit to third, you know who the third baseman is. You know who is up at bat. You have announcers making the calls by name. Don’t see the issue here.
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Well, for starters, a lot of the time when baseball is on our the tv the volume is at or near zero. I’m mostly glancing at the action while I do other things. Like nap. Or cook dinner. Or work on the computer. Or whatever. I’m only sort of paying attention, and I’ll often catch bits and parts of at-bats. Much of the time I don’t know who’s up unless I happen to catch the start of an at-bat when they show the guys’ stats.
Secondly: I’m a fairly casual baseball fan. I’ll know if a player is good or not, but not generally what they look like. I doubt I could name even six starting third basemen from around the league, and even then I’m not sure I could pick them out of a police lineup. By sight I only know a few famous pitchers.
So most of the time it looks to me like #42 pitching to #42. When the ball is struck it goes to #42 for the putout.
Anyhows, my feeling is that if you’re not well informed, and you’re not paying close attention… it’s not doing much for everybody else. It’s just an annoyance that gets in the way of watching the game.
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I am glad to see hear that folks have a different opinion of the day and think this is a fitting tribute.
We are 14 games in to the season. I cannot name all 5 starting pitchers. I cannot name all 9 position players of my home team nine let alone the other team. Surely would not know if I was catching two National League teams are playing.
I agree with A.J. I am not always paying 100% attention when at home. As I am typing this comment, I looked up and have no idea who the right handed batter Felix has a 0-2 count on. Once he gets out I learn it was former Mariner Josh Wilson. I had no idea he was a Ranger or was even still in the league. I generally don’t watch the transaction wire to know who signed with other teams unless they are a big name.
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