The Miami Marlins, in partnership with NIKE, hosted the fourth annual Jackie Robinson Classic last week as part of the club’s ongoing commitment to honor the enduring legacy of Hall of Famer and civil rights icon Jackie Robinson.
The special event, held at LoanDepot Park, featured a matchup between two local high school baseball teams: Homestead High School and North Miami Beach High School. It continued the tradition of using sports as a platform for education, inspiration and social progress.
This year’s game ended in a thrilling 7-7 tie, showcasing South Florida youth’s grit, determination and talent. Due to the time limit for gameplay, both teams walked away with heads held high after an evenly matched contest that celebrated more than just a final score.
“This game is bigger than baseball,” said Charles Johnson, 1997 World Series Champion and former Marlins catcher.
“It’s essential to give a lot of these young men an opportunity to play on a big-league field. I had an opportunity to talk to them today and motivate them to keep playing baseball,” Johnson added.
The Marlins added great detail to the event, ensuring that each time a player went up to bat, their photo was shown on the jumbotron, just like it’s done in the major leagues.
A Community Celebration
The Jackie Robinson Classic celebrates Robinson’s nine core values: courage, determination, teamwork, persistence, integrity, citizenship, justice, commitment and excellence. Each player from the participating high schools received a custom Marlins shirt with the number 42 on the back, printed alongside one of those nine values to inspire and guide them on and off the field.
The South Florida community was invited to attend the game free of charge, and hundreds showed up in support, filling the ballpark with energy, unity and pride. The atmosphere reflected Robinson’s vision of inclusion and opportunity, highlighting how the sport of baseball can catalyze positive change.
Looking Back: Jackie Robinson Classic Results
The Jackie Robinson Classic has become a cherished tradition for Miami’s baseball community. Here’s a look back at the matchup scores from previous years, with each winner emphasized in bold:
2023: Piper High vs. South Broward
2024: Boyd Anderson vs. Booker T. Washington
Each of these games has celebrated athletic skill, resilience and strength of character inspired by Robinson’s groundbreaking legacy.
Honoring Robinson
The celebration continued on Tuesday, April 15, officially recognized as Jackie Robinson Day across Major League Baseball. The Marlins hosted the Arizona Diamondbacks at LoanDepot Park, with both teams’ players and coaches wearing the iconic number 42 in Robinson’s honor.
Before the game, a special pre-game ceremony included the student-athletes from Homestead High and North Miami Beach High and members of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, a Miami-based mentoring and dropout prevention program for young men of color. These young leaders engaged in a panel discussion centered around Robinson’s nine values and the impact of his courageous journey.
Several Marlins players also visited Lenora B. Smith Elementary School to lead an educational session about Robinson’s life, values and historical significance. The event included a hands-on activity encouraging children to reflect on how Robinson’s character traits, including perseverance and integrity, can apply to their lives.
Why Robinson’s Legacy Still Matters
When Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947, he didn’t just change the game — he changed America. His courage to endure hostility, discrimination and pressure while performing at the highest level paved the way for generations of Black athletes and industry leaders. His legacy resonates today, reminding fans of the power of resilience, equality and unshakable determination.
As South Florida’s rising stars took the field under Robinson’s number, they walked in the footsteps of a giant. Events like the Jackie Robinson Classic reinforce how sports can educate, empower and elevate communities when guided by purpose and history.