Vandals acquired away with a brazen theft that has angered many in Kansas the place an American icon as soon as roamed the baseball diamond.
A statue of Jackie Robinson was stolen from a public park in Wichita, Kansas, on Thursday, sparking a search by police on Friday.
In accordance with Wichita Police, surveillance video confirmed the theft, with the 2 assailants reducing the statue at its ankles and leaving solely Robinson’s toes.
Whereas there are numerous homages to Robinson, people who reside within the locations he as soon as performed and referred to as dwelling have a particular reverence.
After a stellar collegiate profession at UCLA and a troublesome two-year stint within the U.S. Military, Robinson performed for the Kansas Metropolis Monarchs within the Negro Leagues. He performed solely 47 video games for the group in 1945, however Brooklyn Dodgers president and common supervisor Department Rickey had scouted him amongst a number of others with the intention of bringing a Black participant into Main League Baseball.
Robinson ultimately signed a take care of the Dodgers, and after spending one yr with their farm group, the Montreal Royals, Robinson was referred to as as much as the massive membership in 1947, making him the primary Black participant to play on MLB within the trendy period.
Robinson needed to cope with virulent racism each on and off the sector, however his sensible play and much more astounding mettle made him an incomparable legend in American historical past.
As of press time, no updates have been offered. In accordance with ESPN’s report, town’s crime fee is providing $2,500 for suggestions resulting in an arrest and $5,000 for suggestions that result in restoration of the statue.
