A statue of baseball legend Jackie Robinson that was found dismantled and vandalized is now set to be replaced at the Kansas park where it was stolen.
The life-size copper statue went missing last week from a baseball complex inside McAdams Park in Wichita, and was found days later burned beyond repair. In response, League 42, a non-profit organization that brings little league baseball to some 600 children at the park, started a GoFundMe to raise money for a replacement.
Within days, the fundraiser had already garnered more than $186,000 in donations — far exceeding the statue’s estimated value of $75,000.
Then the MLB announced Thursday that it would cover the costs to replace the symbolic structure and will also provide League 42 with additional funding to support the organization’s on-field and academic goals.
Bob Lutz, founder and executive director of League 42, said the new Robinson statue would be built using the original mold.
“The Commissioner’s Office and the 30 Clubs have committed funding towards the costs of replacing our Jackie Robinson statue and providing other means of support of League 42,” Lutz said in a statement. “We are grateful for their contribution to our mission of celebrating Jackie’s legacy through the youth of Wichita.”