PCL1 Sacramento River Cats

Jackie Robinson Night Set For Monday At Raley Field

Published on May 9, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release


WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Sacramento River Cats will pay tribute to baseball legend Jackie Robinson when they host a night in his honor Monday (7:05 p.m.) at Raley Field. The night's festivities will be highlighted by the official retirement of Robinson's No. 42.

Robinson's No. 42 will become the first number retired by the River Cats, and it will be permanently displayed in tribute on the outfield wall. His daughter, Sharon Robinson, will be included in the Jackie Robinson Night dedication, which will feature a pregame ceremony, between-inning recognition and an on-field tribute by the River Cats players. The team will wear special hats donning Robinson's No. 42, which will be autographed and raffled off to benefit the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

"Jackie Robinson changed both sport and society, and we are privileged to have the opportunity to pay tribute to his heroic efforts and his outstanding career," River Cats President & Chief Operating Officer Alan Ledford said. "Monday will be a memorable night at Raley Field."

AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) has purchased and donated more than 3,000 tickets to enable children involved in the Twilight Program, an after-school program for at-risk children, to participate in the night's festivities. The children will take part in an educational forum entitled "Breaking Barriers in Sport and Life," which will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Robinson broke baseball's color barrier in 1947 when he appeared in his first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He played 10 seasons (1947-56) with Brooklyn during his major league career and was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962 (124 votes of 160 ballots cast). During his 10 seasons with Brooklyn, the Dodgers won six pennants. In 1,382 career major league games, Robinson batted .311 (1,518-for-4,877) with 137 HR and 734 RBI.

All Major League Baseball clubs, as well as their minor league affiliates, officially retired the No. 42 in 1997. The River Cats relocated to Sacramento in 2000 and have not had a formal ceremony to retire the number.

The River Cats will return home from their eight-game roadtrip Saturday when they host the Salt Lake Stingers at 7:05 p.m. at Raley Field. Saturday's game will be the first of a four-game homestand. Tickets for all River Cats home games are available at the Raley Field Ticket Office, on the internet at www.rivercats.com and at all Tickets.com outlets (select Raley's & Bel Air stores). Fans can also purchase tickets by phone at 916-371-HITS.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 9, 2003


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