The desecration of a cherished statue rocked a tight-knit community. Now they're regaining their footing.
Onlookers gather at McAdams Park in Wichita, Kansas, on Jan. 27, two days after the bronze statue of baseball legend Jackie Robinson was cut down and stolen from this spot. At noon, when Bob Lutz left the old mechanic's garage that had been turned into the gleaming headquarters of the youth baseball league he founded, he liked to look across the street at the statue of Jackie Robinson.
And he built it for kids like Ohmari Johnson, an 11-year-old who hadn't played baseball before and was in search of a sport that fit him. After some time in League 42, he liked it enough to play a tabletop version of the game that mixes dice, math and the sport's rules. Once he learned about Robinson and what he overcame, Johnson found one word to describe how Robinson's story made him feel.Every year on Jackie Robinson Day, the country reflects on Robinson's legacy.
Through a series of leads, police identified a suspect, Ricky Alderete, a 45-year-old man who police said had open felony warrants. According to the affidavit, police reached one of Alderete's friends and viewed their text messages. Police said they found parts of the statue in the trash can. ESPN contacted Timothy J. Hale, whose name and number were listed on a police document. A person at the number confirmed discovering the fire and texted a photo of the statue's head and bat on the ground where concrete met grass. The bronzed Brooklyn cap was charred on its left side. Police told ESPN that the investigation into the fire was ongoing.
A GoFundMe page set up by the league raised nearly $200,000 before the fundraising link was closed Feb. 5, less than two weeks from when the statue went missing. There were additional donations, including $10,000 from an anonymous former professional baseball player and $35,000 in contributions to the league's PayPal account. Lutz estimated that League 42 received between $500,000 and $600,000 in total.
"We tip our caps to the leadership of League 42 and appreciate its continued impact on the development of the next generation of young leaders and players, who can follow the heroic example of their league's namesake." "Jackie Robinson wouldn't want you to react like this," Lutz said."Look at the adversity he faced and that he overcame. And if he had bailed at the first sign of this kind of adversity, we wouldn't be telling his story."Bob Lutz, executive director of the youth sports league League 42. A retired sportswriter, Lutz founded the organization in 2013 in an effort to increase the number of Black kids playing baseball. On Feb.
According to an affidavit, Alderete told police that he was picked up at a Wichita drug house by Rodriguez, the husband of the woman to whom the GMC Sierra was registered. Workman, the general manager of Art Castings of Colorado, said the original statue was made of 95% copper, the most sought-after metal.
Kendrick said the statue was a symbol of what Robinson represented, and the explanation owed to League 42 players is the hardest part. It was the first thing players saw when they arrived at the field. That's why the cleats will be displayed in the museum. It's part of Robinson's story and the story of Black players, of any age, in baseball.
Over the years, the conditions in McAdams Park improved. The city of Wichita pledged $1.5 million to help kickstart League 42. Lutz said the money went toward a turf ball field for the league's youngest players and an area for restrooms and concessions. Then the rusty fences disappeared, and the league's two larger fields had new backstops, dugouts, fencing and scoreboards.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jackie Robinson becomes 1st black player of the 20th century to sign MLB contractToday in Sports, April 10 - Jackie Robinson becomes 1st black player of the 20th century to sign MLB contract
Read more »
Damaged Jackie Robinson statue finds new home at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum'It's being rebuilt as we speak, the same statue will put it right back just like Jackie would've wanted us to,' founder of League 42 said.
Read more »
Jackie Robinson becomes 1st African-American to play in U.S. major league baseballToday in Sports, April 15 - Jackie Robinson becomes 1st African-American to play in U.S. major league baseball
Read more »
Jackie Robinson plays his first major league game for the Brooklyn DodgersThis Date in Baseball, April 15 - Jackie Robinson plays his first major league game for the Brooklyn Dodgers
Read more »
Celebrating Bump Willis on Jackie Robinson DayA tribute to Bump Willis, a former coach and player for the Dallas Mustangs baseball team, who made a positive impact on the community. On Jackie Robinson Day, his contributions are worth celebrating.
Read more »
Dodgers welcome Nationals and Mets to Dodger Stadium this week, starting with Jackie Robinson DayDodgers welcome Nationals and Mets this week and it all kicks off in celebrating Jackie Robinson Day on April 15th.
Read more »