League 42 unveils new Jackie Robinson statue in ceremony attended by former pros

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - It’s a reveal that was months in the making. League 42 unveiled its new Jackie Robinson statue Monday evening after the original was stolen and destroyed in January.

The ceremony restored part of McAdams Park that’d been missed by many in the community. In a story that became national, Major League Baseball contributed to the effort to replace the statue of the trailblazing Hall-of-Famer who broke the MLB color barrier nearly eight decades ago and embodies League 42′s mission of inclusion, giving inner-city kids opportunities to play the historic game.

“This is an important moment, not just for League 42 but for Wichita and really, the whole country,” said League 42 Executive Director and Founder Bob Lutz at Monday’s state-unveiling ceremony.

The man who stole it, Ricky Alderete was sentenced Friday to 15 years in prison and ordered to pay $41,500 in restitution.

The mold used to create the original statue was used to create this new one. In addition to Major League Baseball as an organization, several current and former players stepped up in shows of for League 42 after the crime. Among those on hand to celebrate Monday’s statue unveiling were former Kansas City Royals pitcher Jeremy Guthrie, former MLB pitcher Dellin Betances who played for the New York Yankees and New York Mets, and possible first-ballot Hall-of-Famer, pitcher, CC Sabathia whose decorated career for Cleveland, the New York Yankees and Milwaukee included six All-Star nods and a World Series championship.

While the former pros added attention to Monday night’s ceremony, the kids who play in League 42 starred in the show as they worked together to lift the cover off the new statue. The message focused on a strong, unifying, and positive moment coming out of a hard situation.

“There are more good people than bad people. There always has been, there always will be, but every now and then we need a reminder, and what we saw here was the good people step (up) to the plate,” said Negro League Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick, among several dignitaries who attended Monday’s ceremony in McAdams Park.

Sabathia discussed his upbringing in California and how he was drawn to League 42 as it’s the kind of organization he said he would’ve been part of, growing up. Directing his message at the league, he spoke about how Robinson faced adversity, and the inspiration that continues to spread.

“Jackie showed up every day in his life, in baseball and in his personal life. (He) showed up every day for us,” Sabathia said. “I love the way you guys are showing up for this community. We’re going to continue to show up for you guys.”

Wichita City Councilmember Brandon Johnson elaborated on what the statue means for League 42 and the community it calls home.

“This was never just a statue, this was a symbol of hope,” he said. “It’s a hope for a community. We saw what Jackie Robinson did. He’s an inspiration for who we all should aspire to be.”

After wrapping up its 2024 season last month, League 42 is looking forward to having a likeness of Jackie Robinson again in its rightful place when teams again take the field next spring.