This Saturday, April 15th MLB franchises throughout the league will be honoring the 70th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, in particular, will pay tribute to Robinson with a 10 ft. tall statue that will be the very first one stationed outside of Dodger Stadium. Additionally, the first 40,000 fans in the building on Saturday will receive a miniature replica of the statue.
According to the LA Times, Robinson's statue will be located near the reserve level entrances along the left field line. It will include a granite base featuring three of Robinson's most memorable quotes including his mantra, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”
“It’s where the most number of fans enter,” said Janet Marie Smith, the Dodgers’ senior vice president of planning and development, “but it’s also a very ceremonial place, with beautiful views of downtown Los Angeles in one direction and Elysian Park in the other.
“So the backdrop to the sculpture — no matter what angle — is a very powerful one, and tells a story of Los Angeles.”
Rachel Robinson and her two kids Sharon and David will be in attendance for the official unveiling, and they expect as many as 200 other family members and friends to be at Dodgers Stadium, along with Dodgers legends Sandy Koufax, Vin Scully, Tommy Lasorda and Dodgers owner Magic Johnson.
The Dodgers will take on the Diamondbacks at 6:10pm local time.
Check out a preview of the statue below, courtesy of Rowan Kavner.
