Royals-Robinson Scholarship Winner Announced
Published on May 9, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
OMAHA, NE - Cody Baker, a senior at Boys Town High School, was honored on-field at Rosenblatt Stadium during tonight's Omaha Royals game as the recipient of the team's inaugural Royals-Robinson Scholarship. The Royals announced the creation of the $500 scholarship in March. The scholarship is in honor of Jackie Robinson, who turned the tide of segregation in America when he broke Major League Baseball's long-standing "color barrier" on April 15, 1947.
Baker has been a resident of Father Flanagan's Boys' Home for over four years. He participates in football, basketball and baseball. This year he has been a member of Boys Town's Health Services program and will have his license as a Certified Nursing Assistant at the end of the year.
The scholarship was open to African-American high school baseball players who live in Douglas, Sarpy or Pottawattamie County. They needed to have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and needed to demonstrate qualities including athletic achievement, scholarship in the classroom, community involvement and integrity.
In his letter of support for Baker, Boys Town School Counselor Tom Reinhart wrote: "Cody's teachers say that he is a very pleasant kid to work with. They find him to be motivated to get good grades and frequently volunteers to help out in the classroom."
To apply for the scholarship, applicants had to include a written statement on how sports - specifically baseball - had been important in their life. Baker's letter noted that he wrote a book report on Jackie Robinson in the 9th grade. Until then, he "did not really care for baseball." By that summer though he tried out for his school's Legion baseball team, but was cut.
"I did not give up and I got better and by my 10th grade year I ended up making the team," Baker wrote. "By the second game I was starting at left field....I really made a lot of friends through baseball and I had a great coach that I would not trade the world for. It also kept me in something structured and out of the trouble of today's world. So even though I am going to college (Peru State) and playing football, I will remember that baseball was the sport that made me a stronger person and willing to go out of my comfort zone."
"We are honored to have the opportunity to select Cody as the first annual recipient of the Royals-Robinson Scholarship," said Royals General Manager Martie Cordaro.
For more information, contact Kevin McNabb, Royals Director of Media Relations, at (402) 738-5103.
Pacific Coast League Stories from May 9, 2008
- Whitesell's Walkoff Shot Helps Sidewinders Avoid Sweep - Tucson Sidewinders
- Sounds Drop Series Finale To Tucson In Extras - Nashville Sounds
- Sky Sox take game, series from Round Rock - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Omaha Earns Series Split With Beavers - Portland Beavers
- Royals-Robinson Scholarship Winner Announced - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Zephyrs 3 Grizzlies 1 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Iowa 3, Tacoma 0 - Iowa Cubs
- Thompson Placed on Disabled List - Salt Lake Bees
- Padres Recall Jody Gerut, Purchase Contract Of Luke Carlin - Portland Beavers
- Doug Davis Scheduled To Make Second Start For Tucson Saturday - Tucson Sidewinders
- Oklahoma RedHawks Game Notes- May 9, 2008 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Sounds Suspend Efforts To Advance Sales Tax Legislation - Nashville Sounds
- 5/9 Royals Game Notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
