Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, announced the vandalized marker denoting where Jackie Robinson grew up in Georgia is permanently moving to Kansas City, Missouri.
The plague will go on display in mid-April when the museum celebrates the 75th anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The historical marker, erected in 2001, was damaged by gunfire last year.
It was one of several markers representing the history of African-Americans to be defaced in Georgia.
MLB recently donated $40,000 to the Georgia Historical society, which allowed local leaders to reinstall the plague at its original site. A duplicate marker was also created for the Roddenbery Memorial Library in downtown Cairo.
Defaced marker honoring Jackie Robinson coming home to the NLBM to remind us of the courage he demonstrated 75 yrs ago when he broke @MLB’s color barrier. MLB replaced the damaged marker. @Jposnanski @vgregorian @KSHB41 @kmbc @KCTV5 @fox4kc @Royals RT https://t.co/0KFTi3U2kP
— Bob Kendrick (@nlbmprez) January 29, 2022
The museum hopes the vandalized marker serves as a reminder of the courage Robinson demonstrated and an opportunity to teach the public about his story.
Robinson would have turned 103 on Monday. MLB will once again honor him on April 15 by having all on-field personnel wear his iconic No. 42, barring any postponements due to the ongoing lockout.
Roberts relayed Robinson memories to John Muir High School Students
Manager Dave Roberts and the Los Angeles Dodgers welcomed 60 softball and baseball players from John Muir High School to Dodger Stadium on Monday for a celebration of Robinson. Roberts served as host of the event, and he was joined via video conference by David Robinson, one of Jackie and Rachel’s three children.
“This is a real treat. First off, the Dodgers want to welcome you guys here. I remember being your age and having an opportunity to talk to Major League players and NFL players. So for me now to be where I’m at right now, looking at you guys, and look at the man behind me, it’s going to be a special day,” Roberts said.
“I think part of my job and the thing that gives me some of the most joy with my job is being a storyteller. I think you guys know the name Jackie Robinson and his impact, but to hear it from me and his son David, it’s going to be really rewarding, exciting and it’s also going to equip you guys to tell the story yourself.
“That’s what creates a legacy and ultimately is history. For me to be the first man of color to manage the Dodgers, and also be bi-racial and have Asian decent, I hold very dear to my heart.”
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