- Donations flood in to replace destroyed Jackie Robinson statue on his 105th birthday, with over $140,000 raised surpassing the statue’s estimated value.
- Statue of Jackie Robinson, located in McAdams Park in Wichita, Kansas, was cut from its base, leaving only its feet, and burned remnants were found at another park.
- Anonymous former MLB player donates $10,000; police search for those responsible; replacement statue can be erected within a few months.
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Donations have flooded in to replace a statue of Jackie Robinson that was destroyed on what would have been his 105th birthday. The online fundraiser alone raised over $140,000, surpassing the estimated value of the statue. The bronze statue was cut from its base in a park in Wichita, Kansas, and police are currently searching for those responsible.
All that remained of the statue at McAdams Park were its feet. The park is home to League 42, a youth baseball league named after Robinson’s uniform number when he broke baseball’s color barrier in 1947. Fire crews discovered burned remnants of the statue while responding to a trash can fire at another park nearby. The theft of the statue was captured on surveillance video and a truck believed to be used in the theft was found abandoned.
The executive director of the Little League nonprofit that commissioned the sculpture, Bob Lutz, expressed gratitude for the donations, which may also be used to enhance programming and facilities. The group recently opened the Leslie Rudd Learning Center, which provides educational opportunities beyond baseball.
One of the largest donations, $10,000, came from an anonymous former Major League Baseball player who won a World Series. Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan, who announced the donation, has urged those involved in the theft to surrender, promising imminent arrests.
Lutz stated that a replacement statue can be erected within a few months, as the mold is still viable. He emphasized the importance of teaching the 600 children in League 42 about Jackie Robinson’s legacy, describing him as the ultimate role model.
League 42 honored Jackie Robinson’s birthday on social media, emphasizing the lasting impact of his legacy and calling for donations. Robinson, who played for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Leagues before joining the Brooklyn Dodgers, paved the way for Black American ballplayers and is remembered as both a sports legend and a civil rights icon. Robinson passed away in 1972.
Lutz highlighted the league’s appeal to kids of all backgrounds, especially children of color who find a connection to Robinson’s story. The name League 42 was chosen as a tribute to honor Robinson’s memory and the significance he holds for the community.