WICHITA, Kan. — A rebuilt statue of Jackie Robinson in bronze will be welcomed home Monday by Little League players and former Major League Baseball All-Stars, just over six months after the original was destroyed by thieves.
The original sculpture of the baseball icon resting a bat on his shoulder was cut off at its ankles in January, leaving only Robinson’s cleats behind at McAdams Park in Wichita, Kan.
An identical statue will return to the park, where about 600 children play in the urban youth baseball league called League 42, which was founded in 2013 and named after Robinson’s uniform number with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Playing for the Dodgers, Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s racial barrier in 1947.
The community is expected to be joined Monday by representatives of Major League Baseball and former players, including All-Stars CC Sabathia and Dellin Betances, according to League 42 posts on social media.
The nonprofit was met with an outpouring of support and hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations after news of the stolen statue shocked the community and spread across the country. Bob Lutz, League 42 executive director, said this year that the donations helped fund the replacement statue, as well as improvements to the plaza where it stands, the nonprofit’s facilities and its programming.
The rebuilt statue is identical to the original because the mold was still viable. Dedicated in 2021, it was created by artist John Parsons, a friend of Lutz, before he died in 2022.
Firefighters found burned remnants of the original statue five days after it disappeared. One man pleaded guilty and will spend about 15 years in prison, although most of that time is related to a burglary that happened a few days after the statue heist.
Ricky Alderete was sentenced Friday to 18 months and ordered to pay $41,500 restitution for stealing the statue, an act he said stemmed from his addiction to fentanyl.
The lonely cleats of the original found a new home at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Mo., this year.
Robinson played for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues before joining the Brooklyn Dodgers, paving the way for generations of Black American ballplayers. He is not only a sports legend, but also a civil rights icon. Robinson died in 1972.
A new bronze statue of baseball legend Jackie Robinson is set to be unveiled, six months after the original statue was stolen and subsequently rebuilt. The statue, which stands as a tribute to Robinson’s groundbreaking career and impact on the sport, will be revealed to the public in a special ceremony at the location where the original statue once stood.
The original statue, which was created by renowned sculptor Susan Wagner, was stolen in a brazen act of vandalism that shocked the community and baseball fans alike. The theft of the statue, which depicted Robinson in his iconic pose sliding into home plate, sparked outrage and disbelief among those who admired Robinson’s legacy as a pioneer in breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball.
In response to the theft, a fundraising campaign was launched to rebuild the statue and ensure that Robinson’s memory would continue to be honored. Thanks to the generosity of donors and supporters, a new bronze statue was commissioned and created by Wagner, who worked tirelessly to recreate her original masterpiece.
The unveiling of the new statue is a momentous occasion for fans of Robinson and baseball enthusiasts everywhere. It serves as a reminder of Robinson’s enduring impact on the sport and his role in paving the way for future generations of African American athletes. The statue stands as a symbol of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity, reflecting Robinson’s own journey as he overcame discrimination and prejudice to become one of the greatest players in baseball history.
As fans gather to witness the unveiling of the new statue, they will have the opportunity to reflect on Robinson’s legacy and the importance of honoring his contributions to the game. The ceremony will be a celebration of Robinson’s life and achievements, as well as a testament to the power of unity and solidarity in preserving his memory for generations to come.
In conclusion, the unveiling of the new bronze Jackie Robinson statue is a significant moment in honoring a true sports icon and trailblazer. It serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of Robinson’s legacy and the importance of preserving his memory for future generations. The statue stands as a tribute to Robinson’s remarkable career and his role in breaking down barriers in baseball, inspiring countless individuals to pursue their dreams and make a lasting impact on the world around them.