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Last Tuesday, April 8th, marked the 40th anniversary of Hank Aaron setting the all-time home run record, passing the Babe with 715 career home runs. Aaron would eventually close out his career with 755 home runs, taking his place on the throne as baseballs home run king. When Aaron hit a 1-0 fastball that night, he not only powered his way into the annals of baseball history, but onto the pages of American history, as well. An African-American player held what was, at the time, the most prodigious record in all of North-American sports. Aarons incredible milestone was a large step in the fight for racial equality in baseball, and across America, but it was a step that may not have occurred if it were not for # 42, Jackie Robinson. Twenty-Seven years prior to Aarons record breaking home run, Jackie Robinson stepped onto Ebbets Field, becoming the first African-American to play in the Major Leagues since the 1880s. April 15th, 1947 was undoubtedly a day of celebration for many across North America, but it also marked the beginning of a long, arduous journey for Robinson. Robinson endured through 10 seasons of racial abuse, unjust criticism, as well as threats on his life, from spectators, other players and even teammates. While professional athletes are often expected to perform under the pressures of a fanbases high expectations, Robinson carried a much heavier weight than the average ballplayer, an entire race of people depended upon him. In his first few seasons, Robinson knew if retaliated against his aggressors, he would risk delaying the breaking of the colour barrier. Instead, Robinson responded with his play on the field, showcasing his five-tool talent on his way to becoming one of the greatest second baseman that ever lived. For the past 10 seasons, April 15th has been a day where Major League Baseball pays tribute to the legacy of Jackie Robinson. Today, every Major League player will pay homage to Robinson by dawning his iconic #42, unifying under one number. To celebrate the 10th-annual Jackie Robinson Day, BarDown presents to you, three songs written in tribute for three of the most iconic African-American baseball players in history: Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and, of course, Jackie Robinson."Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?" - Buddy Johnson"There is not an American free in this country until everyone of us is free." - Jackie Robinson"Say Hey (The Willie Mays Song)" - The Treniers"To make it into the majors and to take all the name calling, he had to be something special. He had to take all this for years, not just for Jackie Robinson, but for the nation." - Willie Mays"715" - Peter Cooper"As Ive said many times, and Ill say it again, Jackie Robinson was a pillar of strength to me." - Hank Aaron Nikolaj Ehlers Jersey . Minutes before the final whistle of Sporting Kansas Citys 3-0 victory over a shorthanded Montreal Impact squad on Saturday afternoon, Saputo tweeted: "Our fans deserve better. Patrik Laine Jersey . Nine-year veteran Danny Granger did not make his debut with the Clippers because of a technicality on the teams active list, which is signed by coach Doc Rivers before every game and relayed to the officials. Grangers name was printed by hand by a member of the public relations staff under the heading: "Updated Roster Additions," but the number on the sheet was not circled along with the other active players by the required deadline of 6:30 p. http://www.officialwinnipegjetspro.com/Teemu-selanne-jets-jersey/ . -- Atlanta Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson is being checked for a possible concussion after blowing a tire on his way to the first workout of spring training. Bobby Hull Jersey . Poti played in 824 regular NHL games with four teams in his career; the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, New York Islanders and the Washington Capitals. Keith Tkachuk Jersey . The Brazilian driver had the second-best time in last months tests at Jerez and said the "good start" could play to his advantage when the season gets underway in Australia in March.TORONTO -- Aaron Sanchez didnt know which Boston Red Sox hitters hed be facing, and he didnt know the score. Making his major league debut against Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz and Mike Napoli protecting a one-run lead, the Toronto Blue Jays top prospect just tried to pretend no one was in the batters box. "My mentality out there was just me and the catcher," Sanchez said. With 35,696 fans watching, Sanchez did just about the best he could do, working two perfect innings to help preserve Torontos 6-4 victory over the Red Sox on Thursday night at Rogers Centre. "To be in that kind of ball game, thats what you dream of when you get to the big leagues," the 22-year-old said. "Maybe not your first one, but Im here to help the team win." On his second day in the majors, Sanchez debated asking bullpen catcher Alex Andreopoulos who hed be facing. Once he finally did, Andreopoulos told him it didnt matter. Sanchez, considered one of the top young arms in baseball, used a mix of a fastball that topped out at 99 mph and an effective curveball to get Pedroia, Ortiz and Napoli to each fly out. Starter R.A. Dickey (8-10), who got the win by allowing four runs in six innings, watched from the clubhouse and came away impressed with how Sanchez dealt with the pressure. "Hes coming in against the 2-3-4 hitters of the Boston Red Sox with a two-run lead as a 22-year-old young man," Dickey said. "I thought he handled himself with great poise and hopefully thats a microcosm of what hes going to become." When Jose Bautista added to his impressive night (2-for-4 with two RBI) with a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh, Sanchez did a little fist pump in the dugout knowing he had just a little more breathing room to work with. He didnt need it. Sanchez caught Daniel Nava looking for his first major league strikeout, got Xander Bogaerts to ground out and struck out Stephen Drew to make it through his second inning perfect. Of his 25 pitches, 16 were strikes. "You see different guys over the years and young kids that come up, they can look a little rattled," manager John Gibbons said. "I dont know how you can do it any better than that. But he look like he belonged." On the mound, Sanchez tried to calm his nerves, remembering what his triple-A debut was like. He managed to keep from thinking about the moment until after his outing was done. "I think at the end when Gibby told me that I was done and he gave me a big smile and he said, Its OK to smile, I think thats when kind of everything hit me that Id just pitched in the big leagues for the first time," Sanchez said. The Blue Jays (53-49) are sure glad he did. Barring a complete game or close to it by Dickey, Gibbons knew Sanchez was going to pitch Wednesday night because of how beaten up the bullpen was. When Dickey gave up a three-run home run to Ortiz in the first beforre even recording an out, it looked like it could be a long night for the knuckleballer.dddddddddddd Instead, the Blue Jays tied the score in the bottom of the inning and settled down. "The better thing was the way the team responded after falling behind 3-0," Gibbons said. "Thats key. They throw up a goose egg there, the emotions of the game, you dont know where it goes from there. Of course we turn around and score, it evens things out again." Dickey kept the Red Sox (47-54) off the board until Nava and Bogaerts hit back-to-back doubles in the fifth to make it 4-3. But in the sixth a triple by second baseman Ryan Goins tied it, and an error by Bogaerts at third on what wouldve been an inning-ending groundout by Reyes gave the Blue Jays the lead. That was the situation Sanchez faced, with his parents in attendance and major league career in front of him. Catcher Josh Thole said his fastball "felt like 130" after Dickeys knuckleball, but the rookie did everything else like a seasoned veteran. "It was nice to see him get in the ball game and be calm and just real even-keel when he was out there, not breathing heavy, there was no anxiety I felt," Thole said. "He commanded all of his pitches really well, even threw a couple change-ups that I thought he was commanding well. Any time youre throwing 98 and youve got a breaking ball like that, it makes it easy back there to call a game for him." Under any circumstances, it wouldve been a special night for Sanchez. But Gibbons was glad for the contribution the right-hander made in an important victory. "To give us two easy, shut-down innings was huge for the ballclub. Hell always remember that," Gibbons said. "We brought him here for a reason: Not just to debut, we brought him here to help us and that was a good start." Gibbons joked at the start of his news conference that he wanted to focus on team accomplishments before individuals because the Blue Jays are in a pennant race, chasing down the American League East-leading Baltimore Orioles. But in the scope of history, Dickey hopes Sanchezs debut is remembered as something special. "I think he was fantastic, and hopefully thats a glimpse kind of through the window of what might be," Dickey said. "I think its pretty neat to see something like that unfold." Notes -- Ortizs first-inning home run was his fourth in the three-game series and 37th in his 107th career game at Rogers Centre, good for first all time among visitors. He passed Alex Rodriguez. ... Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen, who struggled in a non-save situation Tuesday after coming back from illness, pitched a flawless ninth for his 14th of the season ... Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz took a bouncer to the side of the face in the first inning but remained in the game. Buchholz allowed four earned runs and five total on six hits to get the loss. 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