By CLTure
April 12, 2023
Photo: Laura Wolff / Charlotte Knights
Jackie Robinson made his Major League Baseball debut in front of 26,623 fans at Ebbets Field on April 15, 1947. Since 2004, MLB has celebrated Robinson on that day by having all players, coaches, and managers wear the number 42. On Saturday, the Charlotte Knights will honor the 76th anniversary of Robinson breaking the Major League Baseball color barrier by donning the iconic number in their game against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins.
In addition, Ray Banks, a Negro Leagues historian and ambassador, will bring an exhibit from his Hubert V. Simmons Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Baltimore to display at the ballpark throughout the weekend. Named after the late Negro Leagues pitcher and outfielder Hubert V. Simmons, a native of Tarboro, North Carolina, the exhibit will be set up on the concourse and will feature historic photos, baseball gear, and artifacts. Michael Webb, a local Negro Leagues historian, will also be on hand to share his knowledge with fans, along with filmmaker Ashleigh Gilliam, director of Toni. Mamie. Connie., a film about three women who played in the Negro Leagues.
Sunday will be a historic day for baseball in Charlotte, as the Knights take the field as the Charlotte Black Hornets — a Carolina Negro Leagues baseball team that played in the city from the late 1910s to the 1950s. For the first time ever, the Knights will wear the uniforms, redesigned from historical photos, during the 1:05 p.m. game. A limited amount of Charlotte Black Hornets merchandise — including jerseys, shirts, hats, and baseballs — will be available at the Knights Team Store and online this week.
Sunday’s game will also serve as the annual tribute to former Negro Leagues player and longtime Charlotte resident Eddie G.G. Burton, who passed away in October 2018. His family — wife Gaile and son Tony — will be honored during the pre-game festivities.
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The Charlotte Knights celebrate Jackie Robinson Day Saturday, April 15 at 6:05 p.m. against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and take the field wearing the Charlotte Black Hornets uniforms on Sunday, April 16 at 1:05 p.m.
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