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"Above anything else, I hate to lose."
That was one of Jackie Robinson's most famous quotes, and for good reason: the man secured perhaps the greatest win in the history of sports 67 years ago today. That fact certainly isn't lost on current Major League Baseball players, who took to Twitter today to profess their appreciation for one of baseball's -- and America's -- great pioneers.
A few kept it simple:
Honored to be pitching today. #JackieRobinsonDay
— Garrett Richards (@GRICHARDS26) April 15, 2014
— Matt Carpenter (@MattCarp13) April 15, 2014
It's an honor for me to be wearing the jersey the #42 #salute #respect #JackieRobinsonDay #MLB
— billy hamilton (@BillyHamilton) April 15, 2014
Others delivered heartfelt messages:
So blessed and thankful for Jackie Robinson and what he did for baseball players and people everywhere. Very proud to where #42 tonight!
— Curtis Granderson (@cgrand3) April 15, 2014
Would not be where I am today if it wasn't for Jackie Robinson...a true hero #JackieRobinsonDay #ThankYouJackie pic.twitter.com/SsZWY7EnGR
— David Ortiz (@davidortiz) April 15, 2014
Tell your kids a story about a hero today. Jackie Robinson #42, your echo carries on. #respect
— Ian Desmond (@IanDesmond20) April 15, 2014
Without Jackie Robinson I wouldn't have the opportunity to play in the MLB. So for that I want to say thank you. #Jackie42
— L.J. Hoes (@MRLJHOES2U) April 15, 2014
To Jackie Robinson & every African American player b4 and after him that played or plays baseball to better this great game I say,THANK YOU.
— Evan Longoria (@Evan3Longoria) April 15, 2014
.@ElvisandrusSS1 reflects on #Jackie42: pic.twitter.com/N1lRkddk2M
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) April 15, 2014
You can never go wrong with quoting No. 42:
"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." Jackie Robinson #42
— Bryce Harper (@Bharper3407) April 15, 2014
How you played in yesterday's game is all that counts. #JackieRobinson
— Ervin Santana (@ErvinSantana_54) April 15, 2014
Several players gave the world a preview of their threads for the evening:
Thank you 42 #JackieRobinsonDay pic.twitter.com/xcSvXFb2nk
— Car Go (@CarGoMedia5) April 15, 2014
Happy Jackie Robinson Day! #42 #UCLA pic.twitter.com/RvCk7RmxS1
— Brandon Crawford (@bcraw35) April 15, 2014
Proud to wear 42. Thank you Jackie Robinson #MLB pic.twitter.com/8TcUqPFev1
— Nelson Cruz (@ncboomstick23) April 15, 2014
Last but not least, a few guys who aren't players, but whose influence on sports and society forces people to pay attention:
Thank you @MLB for honoring Jackie Robinson's legacy with Jackie Robinson Day and having all of the teams wear #42!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 15, 2014
No. 42. He hit it out of the park. #JackieRobinsonDay pic.twitter.com/LcRhzWq7DA
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 15, 2014