Hawkins noted the dwindling percentage of black players

Granderson's teammate, Mariano Rivera, is the only active player still wearing No. 42. The number was retired by MLB 15 years ago on the 50th anniversary of Robinson's debut.

"I think it's a great thing for baseball. I think it's a great thing for life in general, continuing to promote his legacy," Granderson said. "I don't think it's been forgotten, by the number of kids that are coming up to me saying, 'Hey, my first book report was on Jackie Robinson.' These are 6, 7, 8, 9-year-olds that are doing it."

Hawkins noted the dwindling percentage of black players in the big leaguers. There were only 8.5 percent on opening day in 2011 — there were twice as many in 1990 when the Richard Lapchick's Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports at the University of Central Florida started tracking the number.