Dodger Stadium

Stan Kasten Announces New Jackie Robinson Statue At Dodger Stadium

The Dodgers announced on Wednesday that they will erect a statue in honor of Jackie Robinson later this year.

It was Jackie Robinson Day at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday and in honor of the man who broke the color barrier 68 years ago today, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced they would erect a statute of Robinson in tribute.

Dodgers President Stan Kasten made the announcement before the game sitting alongside Commissioner Rob Manfred, Rachel Robinson (Jackie’s widow) and Earvin “Magic” Johnson.

“We are announcing today the beginning of our ‘Statues Program’,” said Kasten. “And sometime later this year, we will announce that our first statue will be Jackie Robinson.”

Kasten did not divulge further information about the program or details regarding what the statue would look like or where it might be, but he did indicate that there would be more statues of Dodgers legends erected around the stadium.

“I would not be surprised if there are more to come,” he hinted.

Rachel Robinson was asked what it would mean for her to have a statue of her husband at Chavez Ravine and her reaction was just as priceless as the woman herself.

“I’ve been waiting 20 years for this,” she said emphatically. “It’s the fulfillment of a dream.”

There is already a statue of Jackie Robinson on Coney Island where the minor league team the Brooklyn Cyclones play. Robinson debuted with the Dodgers in 1947, becoming the first African-American player in the major leagues. The statue, which resides outside MCU Park is of Robinson and his teammate, Pee Wee Reese. Reese has his arm around Robinson in a symbol of solidarity.

“Maybe one day we will all wear 42,” said Reese on that fatefull day. “That way they won’t be able to tell us apart.”

Robinson’s jersey number 42 was retired throughout baseball in 1997, and since 2005, every player in the league dons the iconic number on April 15th of each year in honor of Robinson’s accomplishment.

Contact Us