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.

Two most common complaints about Citi Field

WFAN callers are sometimes right on the spot when it comes to fan opinions. The two most common questions that have been repeated by numerous callers are:

1. Why so much Jackie Robinson tribute? Why did they build an entire museum and dedicate an entire Rotunda to him? I respect him and all, but wasn't he a Brooklyn Dodger and what exactly does that have to do w/ the Mets?

2. Why are there so few Met colors in the Ballpark? Why are the seats green instead of blue and orange? Why are there so few Met stuff in the Ballpark?

I have my own answers, but I would honestly just be playing Devil's Advocate. As a fan, I'm not crazy about some of their aesthetic decisions in their new ballpark and agree w/ the fans' sentiments.

I'm quite confused as to what exactly is the Met connection w/ them and the Brooklyn Dodgers, besides the obvious. At Shea, there were zero Brooklyn Dodger tributes or museums of any sort and all of a sudden, they build an entire Rotunda that tries to replicate Ebbetts Field?

And what about the baseball Giants? Weren't they kinda important in Met history? Remember, the Mets did play 2 years in Manhattan at the old Polo Grounds so technically, Manhattanites should have some kind of birth loyalty to their "ex-hometown" team.

I admit that the Dodger tribute adds a nice touch to Citi Field, but I would have paid equal attention to the baseball Giants as well. How about a horse shoe shaped outfield? Okay, that's a bad idea but at least I'm thinking of something.

Answers:

1A. Well, Jackie Robinson was a big hero to Fred Wilpon and he thought it was a great way to honor him. What were they going to honor instead? The only truly great Met player is Tom Seaver and I doubt they would want to name an entire entrance to Mr. Met (I've heard that he hates being referred as that name or the Franchise). NYers should know that there's a Parkway named after him. So in this sense, it blends in w/ the rest of NY lingo.

2A. The green is a classier color and is somewhat reminiscent of the old Polo Grounds. But otherwise, the Met owners have not officially discussed the decision to color the seats dark green, instead of the classic orange and blue at Shea.

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]