Steve Webb
Release Coincides with the Upcoming Anniversay
LOS ANGELES — If you’re in the market for a new pair of kicks, I have just the thing for you! DodgersBeat learned today that Nike will be releasing a special edition of their “Dunk” lowtops to honor the 75th anniversary of Dodger Jackie Robinson breaking the MLB color barrier on April 15, 1947. Which was kind of big deal.
According to the shoe blog “House of Heat” (which I read religiously of course), Nike will be releasing the shoe in both adult and junior sizes. The release gives stylish nods to classic Dodgers unis, with cream suede uppers and vibrant Dodger blue overlays. Embedded in the overlays is a collage of Robinson’s famous quotes on civil rights, save the Swoosh which features a dual-layered suede finish.
“I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me… all I ask is that you respect me as a human being.”
Jackie Robinson
There are also a lot of nice details, including forefoot mini Swooshes, baseball-stitch laces, and special 75th-anniversary insignia at the tongue, as well as #42 detailing at the heel, and graphic insoles that mirror the pair’s overlays. All of this sits atop a white and black sole unit, complete with contrast blue stitching.
Though Robinson never made it to Los Angeles as a player, the legacy of Branch Rickey’s decision to put Robinson in the Brooklyn lineup in the spring of 1947 still resonates around the world to this day. It was a rough first year for Robinson from the fans, but his play on the field was as intense as it was beautiful. He made Rookie of the Year that first season, and never looked back. He finished his Hall of Fame career in 1957 with a .313 lifetime batter average and an .858 OPS.
No word yet from Nike on the retail price or exact release date, but these shoes are sweet. Hopefully, they’ll sell a ton of them.
