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Honoring Jackie Robinson extends into orbit this year

Member of the Atlanta Braves baseball team, including manager Fredi Gonzalez, left, wear No. 42 in recognition of Jackie Robinson Day before a baseball game against Miami, Wednesday, April 15, 2015, in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) (MARIETTA DAILY OUT, GWINNETT DAILY POST OUT) LOCAL STATIONS OUT (WXIA, WGCL, FOX 5) Member of the Atlanta Braves baseball team, including manager Fredi Gonzalez, left, wear No. 42 in recognition of Jackie Robinson Day before a baseball game against Miami, Wednesday, April 15, 2015, in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) (MARIETTA DAILY OUT, GWINNETT DAILY POST OUT) LOCAL STATIONS OUT (WXIA, WGCL, FOX 5)

By Associated Press April 15, 2015 1 min read

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Jackie Robinson Day has been celebrated even in space this year.

While Rachel Robinson, the player’s widow, and Commissioner Rob Manfred were set to honor Robinson in a ceremony at Dodger Stadium in conjunction with Major League Baseball’s annual Civil Rights Game, astronaut Terry Virts wore a Dodgers jersey with Robinson’s No. 42 along with a Brooklyn cap at the International Space Station orbiting the Earth.

Wednesday marked the 68th anniversary of Robinson breaking the major league color barrier.

Virts says in a video posted on MLB.com that “I can remember reading a book about Jackie when I was in the first grade. Even at that young age, I was really impressed with what he did beyond baseball.”