Jackie Robinson Way Could Be Long Beach's Newest Street

LONG BEACH, CA — Long Beach's City Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether to change a portion of 28th Street near Veteran's Park to Jackie Robinson Way.

City officials said in the proposal that renaming the street will commemorate the nearby Jackie Robinson Academy, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in Long Beach.

"The street name change also serves as an enduring tribute to Jackie Robinson, who broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier and left a lasting impact on civil rights and social justice," according to city officials. "His legacy continues to inspire students, educators, and the broader Long Beach community."

If approved, West 28th Street, from Pacific Avenue to Pine Avenue, and East 28th Street from Pine Avenue to a dead-end by the Metro Blue Line will be changed to Jackie Robinson Way.

Robinson served as a role model for Southern California athletes of color during his tenure with the Dodgers and his contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, including many in Long Beach who would follow in his footsteps.

The name change proposal comes on the day Major League Baseball established in 2004 as Jackie Robinson Day, in honor of the hall-of-famer's legacy.

Although Robinson's number is retired across the league, every MLB player on April 15 wears the no. 42 Dodger blue on their jersey.