ATLANTA -- When Major League Baseball celebrates the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the game's color barrier on April 15, Braves center fielder Andruw Jones will be one of many big leaguers honoring Robinson by wearing his retired No. 42 jersey.

Ten years ago, Commissioner Bud Selig honored Robinson by announcing that the No. 42 would never again be worn by any of Major League baseball's players, coaches or managers.

But after receiving a request earlier this week from Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., Selig opted to temporarily lift this ban. On April 15, which is annually celebrated as Jackie Robinson Day, he will allow Jones, Griffey, Barry Bonds and many other Major League players to honor Robinson by wearing the No. 42.

"It's just an honor for me," Jones said. "I'm happy to be the one that represents my team by wearing it."

The Braves will be hosting the Marlins on April 15, which will mark the 60th anniversary of the day Robinson debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers and became the first African-American to play in the Majors.

Jones, who hails from Curacao, will be the only Braves player wearing the No. 42.

While Major League Baseball had planned to celebrate Robinson's anniversary, it wasn't until Griffey provided his request that Selig decided to un-retire the jersey for one day.

"Jackie continues to be an inspiration to all of our players, and his impact will be felt for as long as our game is played," Selig said. "I thank Ken for finding another special way to mark Jackie Robinson Day."

Fireworks postponed: Because of high winds on Friday night, a fire marshall told the Braves that they wouldn't be permitted to present the postgame fireworks display that had been scheduled as part of the home opener festivities. The club made this announcement to the remaining crowd during the ninth inning.

Woodward starts against former mates: When Chris Woodward signed with the Braves in December, he knew he was joining a team that allows its bench players to get regular playing time. Four games into his career with his new employer, his confidence in manager Bobby Cox was confirmed.

With his former Mets teammates in town for the home opener at Turner Field on Friday night, Woodward found himself as the Braves' starting second baseman and leadoff hitter. He received just one at-bat during the season-opening three-game series against the Phillies earlier this week.

"I can't let [Woodward] sit," Cox said. "He's going to be one of our best pinch-hitters and I've got to get him in there."

Cox insisted his decision to play the right-handed-hitting Woodward had nothing to do with the fact the Mets were starting left-handed hurler Oliver Perez. The veteran manager said Kelly Johnson, a left-handed hitter, would assume his roles as the club's leadoff hitter and starting second baseman Saturday, when the Mets start veteran southpaw Tom Glavine.

Woodward, who played with the Mets the past two seasons, is obviously well respected by his teammates. As he took batting practice on Friday, Woodward found Billy Wagner and Carlos Beltran taking time to exchange genuine pleasantries with him.

"Opening Day against these guys," Woodward said. "That's pretty good."

Woodward went 1-for-4 in the game.

Philly disgust: If one were to have just been passing through Philadelphia on Friday morning, they might have gotten the impression that the Phillies had been officially eliminated from the postseason race.

Reacting to the season-opening sweep the Braves handed the Phillies, Philadelphia's two newspapers made sure to have some fun with Jimmy Rollins' proclamation that the Phils were the team to beat this year.

The front page of the Philadelphia Daily News had a picture of Ryan Howard with his head down and a headline that read: "The Team to Beat ... And Beat And Beat".

When asked Friday if he thought his team had used Rollins' proclamation as motivation, Cox quickly responded, "If that's what it takes to motivate our team, then I'm in the wrong business."

Hampton update: Mike Hampton is hoping that the discomfort and inflammation he's felt in his left elbow this week is just normal soreness that comes while coming back from Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery.

While the Braves share this hope, they are definitely anxious to see how he reacts when he throws a bullpen session on Sunday. Hampton hasn't pitched since undergoing the elbow ligament transplant surgery 18 months ago.

Home opener festivities: For the first time since 1995, the Braves staged home opener ceremonies that didn't include the recognition of the division title they'd won the previous season. But the ceremonies were still festive and patriotic.

As country music start Tracy Byrd concluded the national anthem, four military jets flew over the field, which was adorned with an American flag that encompassed nearly all of the outfield.

Coming up: When the Braves and Mets resume their three-game series at Turner Field on Saturday afternoon, John Smoltz will oppose his friend and former teammate Tom Glavine. Smoltz won the only previous matchup between these two former Atlanta hurlers. First pitch is set for 3:55 ET.