The Associated Press

NEW YORK - As a boy, Bud Selig went to Wrigley Field to watch a rookie named Jackie Robinson. More than a half-century later, the memory still sticks with the commissioner.

"We were the only white people in the upper deck," Selig said. "I never saw so much excitement."

At ballparks all across the majors Thursday, fans and players got to see and hear about the Hall of Famer's legacy. Baseball paused for Jackie Robinson Day, with video tributes, speeches and commemorative No. 42 signs honoring the man who broke the sport's color barrier.

"When you look back on the history of our game, Jackie Robinson coming into baseball - there's no question in my mind that April 15, 1947, was the most powerful moment in baseball history," Selig said at Shea Stadium.

INDIANS: Josh Bard will spend more time in Buffalo and on the disabled list than expected.

The Indians' catcher will be sidelined at least 2 1/2 months after having lower abdomen surgery on Wednesday, a setback that started when he got hurt running the bases during spring training.

Bard had arthroscopic surgery in Philadelphia for what the team described as a sports hernia. He will begin limited rehabilitation today in Cleveland.

Trainer Lonnie Soloff said the team hopes Bard can be back playing games in 10 weeks.

TWINS: Minnesota first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz left Thursday night's game against the Indians in the first inning after spraining his right ankle.

Mientkiewicz was injured when he stepped on Cleveland pitcher Jason Stanford's right foot while trying to beat out an inning-ending double play.

The Twins said X-rays were negative and their first baseman was day to day.

EXPOS: Montreal right fielder Carl Everett was put on the disabled list because of an injured right shoulder and will be out three to four weeks. An MRI exam revealed a tear and bruise, assistant general manager Tony Siegle said.

METS: Center fielder Mike Cameron was a late scratch from the starting lineup because of muscle soreness on the inside of his right thigh.

• John Ricco was hired as assistant general manager.

COLLEGE PITCHER RESCUES WOMAN: The flames, blood and a possible explosion did not deter Ashley Roque. The Jacksonville University pitcher simply did what he thought was right.

He pulled a woman from her burning car after a highway accident, and probably saved her life.

The 21-year-old relief pitcher was driving near St. Augustine, Fla., Tuesday evening. He noticed the car ahead of him swerve to avoid a car that had pulled onto the highway.

Roque also had to swerve to pass the car. He saw the car driven by Laura Beth Thompson go airborne, crashing into trees and catching fire. Roque called 911 on his cell phone. He then headed for her car, where he pulled her to safety, though she suffered some broken bones and a collapsed lung.

The woman was listed in stable condition Thursday.