There is a date that comes around every spring, which pays tribute to an American icon. This pioneer was a leader not only on the baseball field, but also outside of the diamond. This courageous individual represents the very ideals of what the American spirit is.

The date I talk of is April 15. This date signifies the day Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball and became the first black MLB player.

In fact, the exact year was 1947 and with this year came a nation at a crossroads. Before this event, racial segregation was an unwritten rule in the game. Actually earlier in the century it was a rule that was written down.

Getting to this point was no easy feat for Robinson. With this achievement he faced discrimination, threats and taunts.

Arriving to the majors at the age of 28, the astute individual changed the game and our country.

In his hallmark rookie season, he led the Brooklyn Dodgers to the Pennant and batted .297 and stole the most bags in the majors. His stats were so impressive he was awarded with the Rookie of the Year.

In his career, he also picked up the MVP title in 1949 and led the Dodgers to the World Series in 1955. Starting in 1949, he was also an All-Star for six straight years.

Since 2004, April 15 has been designated as Jackie Robinson Day in baseball. In 2007, MLB took a further step and commemorated his work by making every player wear his famous No. 42 for the day.

These nods are actually not some of the first signs of respect the game has given to the Hall of Famer. On the 50th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s feat under Commissioner Bud Selig, his famous No. 42 could no longer be worn. If a player had the number at the time, they were allowed to continue wearing it. Mariano Rivera is the remaining player wearing this number.

Jackie Robinson Day is a fantastic way for the game to honor the legend every season. Even with the landscape change, however, all is still not good in the majors. According to a USA TODAY Sports study Major League Baseball has the lowest percentage of African-American players since the game’s early days of integration. The African-American population in the game has dropped to 8.05 percent compared to in 1959 when the number stood at 17.25 percent.

The high for black athletes in the game was achieved in 1975, when 27 percent of MLB rosters were African-American.

Further, it was reported ten teams opened the season with no more than one African American on their roster. Additionally, 25 percent of African Americans are on three teams. The New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers are accountable for reaching this total.

There are many reasons for this decline. For instance, baseball is not as popular in urban areas.

To combat this problem, MLB has developed Reviving Baseball in Inner-Cities (RBI). This outreach program’s goals include increasing participation and interest in baseball and softball among underserved youth and promoting greater inclusion of minorities into the mainstream of the game.

Even with this, opportunities in baseball seem to be scarce to many. For example, the possibility of getting a baseball scholarship is so hard compared to larger team sports.

Although the color barrier is broken, I think it is still important for MLB to share the sport with their own citizens, preferably inner-city youth looking to find a chance to use their talents.

It is great MLB wants to expand baseball with games in Japan, but honestly being advertised as “America’s Pastime” should live up to the bill and involve all.

Some of our greatest players have been black. To name a few, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Rickey Henderson, Ken Griffey Jr and Barry Bonds with an asterisk.

When it comes down to it, it’s truly bad for the game if we are all missing out on the next big star due to a lack of awareness. Thankfully, Jackie’s legacy can at least keep the hope alive.

To contact The Ionian’s Christopher Sponn, e-mail him at [email protected]