Adam Jones on Jackie Robinson Day

TORONTO - In recognition of the 70th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball, the Orioles will honor Robinson's legacy during today's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. All Orioles uniformed personnel will wear No. 42, Robinson's retired number, joining all other MLB teams in honoring Robinson's historic achievement.

No doubt this is a very special day in baseball.

But several national stories the last few days have pointed out one concerning fact: There are fewer African-Americans in baseball than at any other time in the last 60 years. According to a USA Today survery, African-Americans comprise just 7.1 percent of players on this year's opening day rosters, the lowest percentage since 1958. The African-American population in MLB has dwindled from 17.2 percent in 1994, according to the Society for American Baseball Research.

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones is one of the most prominent African-American players in the sport. I asked him yesterday his thoughts on Jackie Robinson Day and the statistics listed above.

"I know that data," Jones said. "The numbers are going down and down. I think (ESPN broadcaster) Stephen A. Smith had a good point today. He said the Latin population is covering for it. Blacks are down, Latins are up. So as long as people see color, they're OK with it.

"As a black American, you want to see more black Americans. But all I can do with my group of friends and other ambassadors around baseball, all we can do is to continue to influence the kids in our communities.

"I know the players union is really trying to do something. The Negro League Museum is working on some interesting projects. So in the coming years, there will be some fun projects that, knock on wood, I can be a part of to further this game in the inner cities of the United States."

Jones is very aware of the significance of this day but indicated yesterday that some of the issues in the sport that Jackie Robinson Day brings to light should come to the forefront not just on this day.

"I view every day as an opportunity to be great and create change," he said. "It doesn't need a day that everyone is celebrating to do it. You can emphasize it every day. Do it today. Why put off tomorrow what you can do today? It's a great thing that MLB does, but you can do it every single day. You don't need one day to say this is it."

Jones recently joined other black players, including an Orioles teammate, to tape an MLB Network roundtable show that will air at 8 p.m Sunday night. MLB Network's Harold Reynolds joins the players in a discussion of why there are fewer African-Americans in baseball and they also discuss ways to change the downward trend.

Jones wasn't tipping his hand yesterday on what the players presented in the special.

"You are going to have to watch it," he said. "There are some interesting takes with myself, (Andrew) McCutchen, Josh Harrison, Mychal Givens, (Chris) Archer and (Marcus) Stroman. All guys from different walks of life and with different perspectives. But one thing in common - we're African-Americans playing baseball. To hear some of the perspectives was eye opening."

Does Jones see progress coming?

"I don't know, I hope," he said. "That is why I am continuously going out to try to impact change in the community. Try to do it one step at a time. If it's not just baseball, it's education. It's something. Trying to better the inner cities."

Each Oriole player's game-worn No. 42 jersey will be authenticated, autographed, and auctioned at www.orioles.com/auctions to benefit the Baltimore Orioles Charitable Foundation and the Jackie Robinson Foundation. The auction will begin this afternoon at 1 p.m. and will conclude on Saturday, April 22 at 10 p.m. In addition, MLB.com will be auctioning off an Orioles team autographed No. 42 jersey at www.mlb.com/42jersey to benefit the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

Since 2009, the Orioles have raised more than $82,000 for the Jackie Robinson Foundation through the online jersey auction. To learn more about the Foundation, fans can visit www.jackierobinson.org or follow @JRFoundation on Twitter.

The #Orioles will join @MLB in honoring the legacy of Jackie Robinson by wearing No. 42 jerseys today. #Jackie42 pic.twitter.com/i5wkYxLQWJ

-- Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) April 15, 2017