Jackie Robinson statue stolen and destroyed in Wichita

Every April 15, MLB celebrates Jackie Robinson Day with every player wearing the number 42 as the league celebrates the ongoing legacy of Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier. But last week, vandals stole and destroyed a statue of Robinson in Kansas, leading to the community rallying together to restore it. A GoFundMe has been set up by League 42 Foundation to replace the statue, and as of Wednesday morning has raised over $134,000, nearing its $150,000 goal. Dodger fans, baseball fans really, will continue to outlast these vandals because all they offer is wanton destruction. Robinson's legacy cannot be torn down through a shotgun blast or a torn down and burned statute. All these vandals are accomplishing is strengthening the resolve of those who would honor and revere Robinson's legacy.

Major League Baseball honors Jackie Robinson every April 15th with a special celebration. On this day, every player wears the number 42, commemorating the ongoing legacy of Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier.

This year, Robinson's legacy was emphasized by a shocking incident. Last week, a statue of Robinson was stolen from a Little League baseball field at McAdams Park in Wichita, Kansas. The vandals were thorough, cutting off the statue at its ankles.

The impact of this theft was captured in a report from The Athletic. Bob Lutz, founder of League 42, described his overwhelming emotions upon discovering the missing statue. To make matters worse, the stolen pieces of the statue were later found burned in a trash can at a nearby park.

The motive for this vandalism remains unclear, but the city of Wichita offered a reward for the safe return of the statue. Efforts to restore the statue quickly gained momentum, with a GoFundMe campaign raising over $134,000 to replace it.

This incident is not an isolated one. In 2021, vandals desecrated a history marker commemorating Robinson's birthplace in Georgia. However, the legacy of Jackie Robinson cannot be torn down by such acts of vandalism. As Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Museum, stated, the spirit of what Robinson represented cannot be stolen.

The resolve to honor Robinson's legacy and stand against such acts of destruction is unwavering. The public response to these incidents shows that there are more good people than bad, and the spirit of Jackie Robinson lives on in everyone who does not give up and does not back down.

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