Baseball Talk

Jackie Robinson Day has generated large sums of media coverage since it was incorporated eight years ago.

The day, which is celebrated by Major League Baseball every April 15, honors the day that Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier when he broke into the league with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.

In honor of Robinson, every April 15, all players wear No. 42, which was retired by MLB in 1997.

Jackie Robinson in uniform for the Brooklyn Dodgers, wearing his #42. (Photo from: http://www.metshotcorner.com/nostalgia/jackie-robinson-breaks-the-color-barrier-64-years-ago-today/)

In that days that had led up to this year’s celebration of Jackie Robinson Day, there were numerous stories and press releases that could be found in newspapers and on the internet.

One press release that was put out by MLB.com, announced that it would launch a website to commemorate Robinson.

The website, ‘IAM42.com’, “features video tributes from MLB All-Stars Jason Heyward, Prince Fielder, David Price, Mariano Rivera and David Wright,” according to the release.

The press release by MLB was not the only place fans could find out about the launch of the website.

A story on Emissourian.com also made news of the new website, adding that the site was designed to “celebrate Robinson’s legacy, and give thanks.”

The press release from MLB contains all of the qualities of a typical news stories.

It is newsworthy as Robinson is obviously one of the most prominent figures in the sport of baseball, and the announcement of this website is fairly big news to the baseball world.

The release is well-written and follows AP style, just as any online story or a newspaper story.

It was not clear whether or not this particular press release generated other stories about the launch of the new website, however, it is very possible that it did have an impact on other stories that were written.

The story that was found to be related to the press release is considerably shorter than the release itself.

The news story only mentions that MLB has launched this new website in honor of Robinson, but the press release goes into much more detail, and explains what Jackie Robinson Day is all about, and what the new website is all about.

Here is an excerpt from the press release explaining the new website, www.IAM42.com:

“‘IAM42’ (www.IAM42.com) is a new digital campaign designed for fans to make a personal connection to the legacy of Baseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson through online video sharing and social networking via Twitter and Facebook. IAM42.com features personal video tributes from more than 60 current players and legends to honor the 64th Anniversary of Robinson’s historic moment, including Baseball Hall of Famers Ernie Banks, Lou Brock and Andre Dawson; and MLB All-Stars Jason Heyward, Prince Fielder, David Price, Mariano Rivera and David Wright. Launching on Jackie Robinson Day, fans of all ages are encouraged to share their thoughts on the enduring impact of Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier. The site will be updated throughout the year, in the lead-up to the 65th anniversary of Jackie Robinson Day, April 15, 2012. ‘IAM42.com’ is the latest MLB initiative aimed at educating all fans about Jackie Robinson and supporting his enduring legacy, joining Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI); Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life; Diverse Business Partners; and the MLB Urban Youth Academies. IAM42.com is powered by MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball.”

NOTE:

New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera is the only player who still wears No. 42 everyday. When the number was retired by MLB, players who still wore the number were told that they could continue to wear the number until they retired.