MLB retired the #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson at the start of the 1997. However, anybody who was wearing #42 at that time was allowed to continue to wear it. Rivera is the last active player who was wearing #42 at the time it was retired. Once Rivera retires, no one will wear the #42 again.
The Yankees' Rivera and Mo Vaughn of the Boston Red Sox were allowed to wear #42 after Major League Baseball retired the number in honor of Jackie Robinson.
Furthermore, Rivera's rookie season in 1995 was before the universal retirement of Jackie Robinson's number in 1997. When Rivera retires, no one will be issued #42 ever again in professional American Baseball.
Jackie Robinson was number 42...
42
Jackie Robinson wore No.42 and played for the Dodgers.
it was Jackie Robinson day
Jackie Robinson's number was 42
42
Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson wore #42 for the Brooklyn Dodgers between 1947-1956.
On Jackie Robinson day, players in the Major Leagues all wear the #42 on their jersey to honor a true hero and baseball legend.
number 42.
It was Jackie Robinson.
Jackie Robinson's number
Jackie Robinson wore #42 during his career (1947-1956) with the Brooklyn Dodgers.