McCourt Wants to Do This Every Year

The Dodgers celebrated the legacy of Jackie Robinson on Friday, the 58th anniversary of the day he broke baseball’s color barrier. In order to strengthen and enhance that legacy, owner Frank McCourt would like the Dodgers to play at home on the anniversary date each year.

“I think it would be a great tribute to Jackie Robinson if we could celebrate this great day every year here at Dodger Stadium,” McCourt said.

Such a scheduling arrangement would not be unprecedented. The Boston Red Sox play at home on Patriots’ Day each April, on the day of the Boston Marathon and the holiday that commemorates Paul Revere’s midnight ride and the subsequent battles of Lexington and Concord.

Major League Baseball last year launched an annual observance of April 15 as “Jackie Robinson Day,” with commemorative ceremonies before every major league game on that day. MLB President Bob DuPuy said he would consider McCourt’s desire, given the resonance between Robinson and the only major league team for which he played.

“I understand the connection between Jackie and the Dodgers,” DuPuy said. “It would be something we’d look at if scheduling issues allow.”

DuPuy joined Robinson’s widow, Rachel, and daughter, Sharon, for Friday’s festivities at Dodger Stadium, which included a video tribute and the introduction of Jackie Robinson Foundation scholars. As Rachel Robinson spoke before the game, the crowd gave her a standing ovation and the entire Dodger team lined up behind her.

“I’m a lifelong Dodger fan -- a die-hard Dodger fan,” she said in a pregame news conference. “I love this team very much, forever. Tonight is a great homecoming for me.”

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Brad Penny is scheduled to make his second minor league rehabilitation start Monday at triple-A Las Vegas. He said he hopes to rejoin the Dodgers thereafter -- meaning he could make his season debut next weekend at Colorado -- but Manager Jim Tracy said the team would make no decision until after Penny’s appearance Monday.

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DODGERS TONIGHT

DODGERS’ SCOTT ERICKSON

vs.

PADRES’ ADAM EATON

Dodger Stadium, 7

TV -- FSNW2. Radio -- 980, 1330.

Update -- In his Dodger debut last week, Erickson gave up four home runs in 4 1/3 innings of a 12-10 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. In eight career starts at Dodger Stadium, Eaton is 4-0 with a 1.11 ERA.

-- Bill Shaikin