Griffey the first to honor Jackie Robinson by wearing 42?

In the [ESPN/AP] recap of the Angels v. Mariners game tonight, Ken Griffey Jr. is believed to be the first MLBer to specifically wear #42 as a tribute to Jackie Robinson on April 15th, Jackie Robinson Day.

Griffey was believed to be the first major leaguer to wear 42 to honor Robinson in a game, 12 years ago with the Mariners. He just went up to the Mariners' equipment man weeks before the game and said he wanted to do it -- he didn't think to ask for the league's permission because no one had done it.

I think it's gotten a little ridiculous this season with every player and coach required to wear 42. It makes it pretty confusing watching the games with every single player wearing 42.

All MLB players and coaches to wear 42 on April 15

All players, coaches and umpires will wear No. 42 on Wednesday to honor Jackie Robinson on the 62nd anniversary of the day he broke major league baseball's color barrier.

More than 330 players, managers and coaches -- including nine entire teams -- wore Robinson's No. 42 last year to celebrate the Hall of Famer's accomplishments, and commissioner Bud Selig requested all on-field personnel wear the number this year for the first time.

"With all major league players, coaches and umpires wearing Jackie's No. 42, we hope to demonstrate the magnitude of his impact on the game of baseball," Selig said in a written statement Monday. "Major League Baseball will never forget the contributions that Jackie made both on and off the field."

[ESPN/AP]