This day is extra special for Pierre

Juan Pierre’s introduction to Jackie Robinson’s legacy came the way many kids learn about a historical figure -- a third-grade history report.

The story of the man who broke baseball’s color barrier in 1947 captured the imagination of the Louisiana schoolchild, and Pierre has tried to emulate Robinson ever since.

Visitors to Pierre’s Florida home can’t help but notice the famous portrait of Robinson stealing home on the foyer wall.

Visitors to Dodger Stadium can’t help but notice that Pierre wears his socks high in the tradition of Robinson and others of his era.

Today, Pierre and his teammates will wear No. 42 to honor the 60th anniversary of Robinson’s first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

“It will be a real special thing, a real special day,” Pierre said. “It’s about appreciating the sacrifices he made to make the game what it is today. I can only imagine how bad it must have been when people didn’t want you to play.”

Pierre and Marlon Anderson are the only African Americans on the Dodgers’ active roster, although rookie outfielder Matt Kemp is on the disabled list.

Catcher Russell Martin’s father is African Canadian and his great-grandparents migrated from the U.S. He is from Montreal, where Robinson played minor league ball before joining the Dodgers.

“I grew up in a tolerant city, and I didn’t grow up in the era when racism was as big an issue as it was back in the day,” Martin said. “My father did and he’s talked about it.

“It took a special person to be the first black in the major leagues. It’s amazing how one person could affect so many people to this day.”

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When outfielder Milton Bradley labeled Jeff Kent a racist two years ago after Kent privately called him out for not hustling on the basepaths, other African Americans who knew Kent, such as Dusty Baker, refuted the charge.

Kent says he will wear Robinson’s No. 42 proudly, adding that spending the last 16 years in major league dugouts and clubhouses has made him a more tolerant person and given him an appreciation for racial diversity.

“Absolutely, I’ve gained more respect for other cultures than if I’d just taken another job out of [college],” he said. “As a baseball player, I’ve played with Koreans, Japanese, Mexicans, other Latinos, blacks and whites. Playing with all of them, you learn to appreciate their cultures, attitudes and personalities, and you educate yourself through the game. That’s been pretty cool.”

Although Kent doesn’t pretend to be a baseball historian, he says it will be humbling to wear No. 42.

“To say it’s special because I’m wearing the same number, playing the same position and wearing the same uniform as Jackie Robinson, absolutely not,” he said. “There is no way I could come close to matching what he’s done. I admire him because he was gritty, a grinder, a fighter with tremendous courage.”

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Although Pierre was batting only .186, he wasn’t happy about Manager Grady Little’s decision to keep him out of the starting lineup for the first time. Pierre, who entered the game defensively in the eighth inning and had an infield single, has played in 511 consecutive games.

“I’m a guy who can be 0 for 25 and feel like today’s the day,” he said. “But I’ve got nobody to blame but myself. Hopefully nobody is hitting the panic switch.”

Said Little: “The man just needs a break. It’s one of those deals where you might hate me right now but you’ll love me tomorrow.”

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The parking gates at Dodger Stadium will open today at 2:40 p.m. -- 30 minutes sooner than usual -- to give as many fans as possible a chance to be seated for the pregame celebration to honor Robinson.... Each fan will receive a copy of Brett Tomko’s charcoal sketch of Robinson sliding into home plate.

steve.henson@latimes.com