Jackie Robinson statue replaced after theft in Kansas

Former major league players and current youth baseball participants gathered in Kansas on Monday as officials introduced a new statue honouring Jackie Robinson, replacing one stolen and irreparably damaged earlier this year.

There’s good news out there. Here’s the unveiling of the Jackie Robinson statue at Wichita’s League 42, replacing the one stolen back in January. They rebuilt it. Higher. pic.twitter.com/bVGmwgs40P

— Anthony Castrovince (@castrovince) August 5, 2024

The League 42 youth baseball league unveiled the statue of Robinson, who broke baseball’s colour barrier in 1947, during an evening ceremony attended by hundreds, including numerous youngsters. The event took place at the Wichita park from which the original statue was taken.

Marcus Jones, a youth player, honoured the MLB Hall of Famer, stating Robinson “put a spark in all of us.”

Notable attendees included former American League Cy Young Award winner CC Sabathia, appointed in 2022 as a special assistant to the commissioner to “promote equity in baseball,” and Jeremy Guthrie, a 13-year MLB veteran who spent four seasons with the Kansas City Royals.

Sabathia expressed his motivation for attending, saying, “Jackie showed up every single day of his life in baseball and his personal life, every single day for us. I thought it was important for me to show up here today.” He also serves on the board of the Players Alliance, advocating for equity in baseball and softball.

Authorities reported the original Robinson statue was stolen shortly after midnight on January 25. Days later, firefighters responded to a trash can fire at another park where they discovered pieces of the statue after extinguishing the flames.

Tony Reagins, MLB’s chief baseball development officer, described Monday’s unveiling as a moment of healing and resilience. “Jackie’s legacy through all of these young people is alive and well. Jackie’s nine values are alive and well, and we (in MLB) are thrilled to be a part of this,” he said.

A man, who admitted to stealing the statue and other offences, received an 18-month prison sentence and was ordered to pay $41,500 in restitution. He attributed his actions to a fentanyl addiction, as stated in a Kansas court.

The new statue portrays Robinson, who also played a season in the Negro Leagues in Kansas City, Missouri, with a bat on his right shoulder. The first statue was severed at the ankles, leaving only two bronze shoes.

Funds for the replacement statue were raised through a GoFundMe campaign. The original mould was still usable, allowing for a duplicate to be created.

League 42 Executive Director Bob Lutz acknowledged the support received, stating, “I’m just simply amazed by the support we’ve gotten from so many since this heinous act happened back in January.”

Approximately 600 children participate in the urban youth baseball league, named after Robinson’s number with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson, who was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1947 and its Most Valuable Player in 1949, passed away in 1972.