This is Jackie Robinson Day!

 This day is Jackie Robinson Day. I got that $10.00 check from Uncle Sam yesterday BTW.

For those of you who weren't reading this blog a year ago or maybe just missed it. On this day I do a JRD annual post. Not one highlighting his cards or accomplishments. Nope. I have a slight take on how I honor one of the greatest ball players in history. 

First I will show 2 cards highlighting Jackie's jersey number....um retired jersey number. REtired the number in 1997.

One card will be a front view the other the back. After that I will show cards of players that also wore #42 in their playing days. Then I will show how Topps attempts at honoring the day, the latter still being used today. I'll even throw in a single Donruss card commemorating the day (but it is an awful attempt).  HERE WE GO!

The last two cards there from 2016 was how Topps put out a half-butt attempt to highlight JRD. I do appreciate them catching some photos for that particular series release. The day was first establish by MLB in 2004, and in 2009 had all on field personnel wear the number. I loved and still love that. RESPECT.  I wish I had more cards pulled showing players wearing the jersey number than the 2 above. 

In 2017 Topps released a JRD 30 card set using photos taken on JRD (for the most part). As you can see some of the photos would have been if you could see 42. I think they could add a little pizzazz by making the checklist 42 cards.

I am still in need of card 15 (Mike Trout). I need to do something about that.

Topps also puts out commemorative manufactured patch cards too. Those are a little tougher to come by (and cost more).

The 2018 set did get photos showing the 42. Much better job. Still not perfect as the set is part of their "Salute" sets and in my opinion takes away the honoring of Jackie. And of course after 2018, just near impossible to even figure out. Heck, what is really puzzling is that when Topps comes up with more and more parallels (57 this year alone) and that is just series 1, why couldn't they make a dedicated JRD set. Get it right guys      get it right. Donruss failed trying to do the border 42, but it didn't work.

My tribute to one of the greatest baseball players of all time. (I hear he was very very good at other sports too). :)