Jackie Robinson Day at Dodger Stadium
“The first book I ever read was about Jackie. He went to UCLA and today the Stadium is named after him.” As a 20-year-old rookie Heyward caught the opening day first pitch from home run King Hank Aaron. “Someone else (Aaron) I know would not being the position he was in without Jackie’s sacrifice,” he told the crowd of 52,275.
By Earl Heath, Contributing Sports Writer
Newly acquired Dodger Jason Heyward spoke during the pre-game ceremony and shared thoughts and feelings on Jackie Robinson. Hayward has a baseball academy on Chicago’s west side that impacts youth in the city. He credits Robinson with that also.
“I want to say thank you to the Jackie Robinson family,” said Heyward. “As a ball player in the major leagues for 14 years I understand what that sacrifice was all about.”
Heyward grew up about three hours from Cairo, the birthplace of Robinson.
“The first book I ever read was about Jackie. He went to UCLA and today the Stadium is named after him.”
As a 20-year-old rookie Heyward caught the opening day first pitch from home run King Hank Aaron.
“Someone else (Aaron) I know would not being the position he was in without Jackie’s sacrifice,” he told the crowd of 52,275.
Layla Payne was one of several Jackie Robinson Foundation scholars that attended the ceremony. “It great to be apart of this Community (Jackie Robinson Foundation).” said Payne, “It done a lot for me and I feel special.”
The 20-year-old is a graduate oof Hamilton high in Los Angeles and today is a communication major at UCLA.
Anika Rohotef is another alum from Hamilton where she played softball. She’s now a senior at Cal State University majoring in Psychology.
“I’ve received a lot of support from the foundation,” Rohotef said, “I want to give back and help other I want be a counselor.”
The Jackie Robinson foundation was founded 50m years ago 1973 by his wife Rachael to perpetrate the memories of Jackie.
JRF scholars receive up to $35, 000 over a four-year period. They also benefit from a comprehensive four-year career guidance program.
The foundation has a 98 percent graduation rate.
