Justin Crawford says ‘it means everything’ to wear No. 42 to honor Jackie Robinson, his favorite player

Justin Crawford spends a lot of time watching black-and-white footage of old baseball games on YouTube.

The Phillies rookie outfielder is a self-proclaimed “baseball junkie,” and as a second-generation major league player, he has a deep respect for the history of the game.

“I found a lot of different documentaries on them, books, YouTube videos, old interviews, all that stuff I’ve always been really into since I was young,” said Crawford, 22.

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He is a fan of the greats, like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Negro Leagues star Cool Papa Bell. But Crawford’s favorite player of all time is Jackie Robinson.

That’s why April 15 — the anniversary of Robinson’s historic debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 — has always been particularly special to him. Since 2004, the day that Robinson broke major league baseball’s color line and became MLB’s first Black player has been celebrated annually across baseball.

“Without him,” Crawford said, “I’m not playing this game.”

Crawford has celebrated Jackie Robinson Day as a minor leaguer by wearing cleats with No. 42 on them. On Wednesday, he wasn’t in the Phillies’ starting lineup against the Cubs for a scheduled day off, but he was excited to get to wear the No. 42 jersey alongside his teammates.

“It means everything,” Crawford said. “Being able to be out here for the first time on Jackie Robinson Day is really special, and I’m just trying to soak it all in.”

Crawford learns as much as he can about the players who came before him because he’s a history buff, but he also sees it as a way to pay tribute.

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In addition to the jerseys, the Phillies wore special commemorative No. 42 T-shirts for batting practice on Wednesday. The on-deck circles were also replaced with ones bearing Robinson’s name and image. In a pregame ceremony, Ron Duckett, whose late father Mahlon Duckett was the last living Philadelphia Stars player, threw out a ceremonial first pitch. Crawford caught it.

“He’s just a trailblazer. I wish I would have been able to meet him,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said of Robinson. “Those questionnaires in spring training: ‘Who would you want to play with?’ He would be one. That would have been fantastic.”

Right-handed reliever Zach Pop was placed on the 15-day injured list ahead of Wednesday’s game with a right calf strain, retroactive to Monday. He felt something in his calf after doing some agility workouts on Tuesday, according to Thomson, who said the injury was mild.

Pop has posted a 3.68 ERA in 7⅓ innings this season. He signed with the Phillies as a free agent over the offseason.

To fill Pop’s spot, the Phillies recalled lefty Kyle Backhus from triple-A Lehigh Valley. Backhus, a sidearmer, had made the Phillies’ opening day roster but was optioned when Orion Kerkering was activated from the injured list.

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Backhus allowed three earned runs over his first four appearances for the Phillies. Since he was optioned, Backhus has pitched three scoreless innings in triple A.

“He’s been throwing the ball pretty good,” Thomson said. “He’s had a couple of days off. He could give us probably two innings [Wednesday].”

The Phillies’ bullpen has seen some shuffling this week. Righty Jonathan Bowlan was placed on the injured list Monday with a right groin strain. Seth Johnson, who was initially recalled to fill Bowlan’s spot, was then optioned Tuesday for Chase Shugart.

“All through spring training I was talking about the depth in our bullpen,” Thomson said. “Because I really like the arms that we’ve got there, and there’s still some more guys there. So it really helps. It really does.”

Zack Wheeler allowed three earned runs on four hits over 5⅔ innings in his double-A rehab appearance Tuesday night. He struck out nine and didn’t issue a walk.

Pitch data is unavailable for double-A ballparks, but Thomson said his velocity was between 92-95 mph. Wheeler’s next appearance is scheduled for Sunday, when he will throw 90 pitches.

“He said he felt really good about it,” Thomson said. “He feels good [Wednesday]. Normal after a start. So that was good news.”

Brandon Marsh started in center field against Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga on Wednesday, with Crawford taking the day off. … Following Thursday’s off day, Taijuan Walker (1-2, 7.36 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday’s series opener against the Atlanta Braves.

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Previous episodes: Scott Boras | Brian Barber | Aaron Nola | Justin Crawford | Garrett Stubbs | Kyle Schwarber | Brad Keller | J.T.Realmuto | Orion Kerkering | Whit Merrifield