Lee to honor Jackie Robinson by wearing No. 42, on April 15
Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 10:19 pm
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hea ... 91116.html
Carlos Lee, the Astros' slugging outfielder, has embraced the opportunity to wear Hall-of-Famer Jackie Robinson's retired No. 42 on April 15, the 60th anniversary of Robinson's breaking baseball's color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
"It's an honor, "Carlos Lee said. "No. 45 is just a number, but No. 42 is something special. It's going to be heavy on my back.
Robinson's No. 42 was retired throughout baseball on April 15, 1997. Since then, only players who already wore that number were allowed to continue wearing it. Lee has worn No. 45 throughout his career, but he jumped at the chance when general manager Tim Purpura offered him the privilege.