Game 10 Thread: April 15 vs. Padres, 1p (Jackie Robinson Day)

Today's game is much anticipated in Dodger-dom for two key reasons:

1) Vin Scully is returning to the broadcast booth after having missed the rest of the homestand due to illness. Though Vin historically has hated that people get so upset and worried about him, he's going to have to understand that this is because he means so much to Dodger fans the world over. Don't tell the Dodger ticket sales this fact, but I was going to go to the game again today until I knew Vin would be back in the booth; instead, I'm staying home so that I can hear him call the game. Welcome back, Vinny. I'll be on the sofa, as per usual.

2) It's marvelous that Vin will be back just in time to help walk us through one of our favorite days of the season: Jackie Robinson Day. 65 years ago today, Jackie broke the so-called color barrier in baseball. Today, not only the Dodgers but every team around the league pays tribute to the life and legacy of Mr. Jackie Robinson. Players all don the hallowed #42, and many wear items specially designed for the day only to auction them off for the benefit of the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

The main idea behind holding the annual Jackie Robinson Day is not only to recognize the contributions he made both on and off the field, but to learn from them and, hopefully, pass along such knowledge to future generations. Hats off to the Dodger organization for always prioritizing this charge. This week, the Dodgers visited John Muir High School in Pasadena, Robinson’s alma mater. Dodger panelists included Dee Gordon, Tommy Davis and “Sweet” Lou Johnson, who spoke about Robinson’s impact on baseball and on American society. The players and former players answered questions from students and presented them with tickets to today's game. Hat tip, too, to MLB, who always focuses much attention on the importance of this day to baseball and to our country's social fabric.

John Muir High School event

Speaking of Dee Gordon, here's a great picture he Tweeted of himself a few minutes ago:

MVP Matt Kemp:

Here is what some of our Boys in Blue are saying this morning re: Jackie Robinson Day:

@skinnyswag9: #Blessed to wear the #42 today!!! Thank God for giving #JackieRobinson the strength and courage to break the color bearer.

@TheRealMattKemp: Thank u Jackie Robinson!!!

@TommyLasorda: Thank you Jackie for your contributions to the @dodgers, to @MLB and to our country. #42

@JoshLindblom52: "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." #JackieRobinson. Honored to be able to wear #42.

And Big Papi weighs in, too:

@davidortiz: Honored and Proud to go out and play on Jackie Robinson Day #42 #ThankYouJackie

Let's get back to this one. Today's game features a re-match from the season opener, with Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw going up against Edinson Volquez for the series sweep. This time, presumably Clay won't be throwing up at warmup and between innings. Though the way the Padres have been playing, that might actually make it a fair fight. Dodgers go for win number nine, which would equal their best start in franchise history (1981, a year in which they went on to win the World Series). Should be a great day for baseball, so either get out to the Yard or catch Vinny's comeback if you can (but don't call it a comeback).

UPDATE: Dodgers will be honoring their and Jackie's Brooklyn roots by sporting Brooklyn Dodger caps for today's game. Here, manager Don Mattingly is seen wearing one in a pre-game interview:

Photos: 1-Courtesy MLB, 2-Courtesy Dodgers, 3- Skinny Swag tweet, 4- MVP tweet, 5- SoSG Dusty