An arrest has been made in the theft of a Jackie Robinson statue later found dismantled and burned
A 45-year-old man was arrested in the theft of a bronze Jackie Robinson statue that was cut off at the ankles and found days later smoldering in a trash can in a city park in Kansas, police announced Tuesday.
Donaldson's 1-game ban upheld by MLB, fine cut to $5,000
Major League Baseball has upheld Josh Donaldsonโs one-game suspension, a penalty that was assessed after the New York Yankees third baseman made a remark to White Sox star Tim Anderson about Jackie Robinson that Chicago manager Tony La Russa called racist.
MacArthur aims to help people with disabilities find work
Although philanthropy has taken steps to increase the flow of grant dollars to people with disabilities in recent years, disability advocates say the broad push among foundations to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion in their work has largely left people with disabilities out, both in terms of grants and representation on foundation boards and staff.
LEADING OFF: Jackie Robinson Day, Red Sox go for 10th in row
All players, managers, coaches and umpires will wear No. 42 on Thursday to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day, marking the anniversary of the date the Brooklyn Dodgers Hall of Famer made his Major League Baseball debut and broke the sportโs color barrier in 1947.
Curry, WNBA players receive Jackie Robinson award from NAACP
The NAACP has given him its Jackie Robinson Sports Award. And, for the first time, the nation's oldest civil rights organization is recognizing more than one person by honoring the WNBA Players Association. AdโI am so proud of the WNBA players for this well-deserved recognition of their continued activism and advocacy for social justice and equality," WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement provided to the AP. Warriors coach Steve Kerr, outspoken on many issues himself, admires the WNBA players for their activism. โI love what the WNBA players have done.
Major League Baseball to hold first Lou Gehrig Day on June 2
1903: Hall of Famer first baseman Lou Gehrig, known as the "Iron Horse" for his 2,130-game playing streak, is born in New York City. He played 17 seasons for the New York Yankees, winning six World Series championships. NEW YORK โ Major League Baseball will hold its first Lou Gehrig Day on June 2, adding Gehrig to Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente on the short list of players honored throughout the big leagues. 4, and all players, managers and coaches will wear a Lou Gehrig Day patch on uniforms and may use red โ4-ALSโ wristbands. Teams that are off on June 2 will observe Lou Gehrig Day on June 3.
15 Black History Month must-watches
What better way to spend free time during Black History Month than binge-watching quality content? Donโt let anything stop you from sitting down, kicking back and enjoying this watchlist created in honor of Black History Month. Starring: Devon TerrellAd"Black Panther" - 2018; PG-13; 2 hours, 15 minutes; film. Ad"Kevin Hart's Guide to Black History" - 2019; TV-PG; 1 hour, 3 minutes. In this family-friendly showing, Kevin Hart highlights the history and contributions of black unsung heroes in this educational comedy special.
Bruins postpone O'Ree honors until '22 so fans can be there
FILE - Former Boston Bruins' Willie O'Ree tips his hat as he is honored prior to the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens in Boston, in this Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, file photo. The Boston Bruins say they will retire the jersey of Willie ORee, who broke the NHLs color barrier. 22 jersey honored prior to the Bruins Feb. 18 game against the New Jersey Devils. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)BOSTON โ The Boston Bruins will wait to retire the number of pioneering Black hockey player Willie OโRee until next year so that they can raise his No. The NHL said Thursday it asked the Bruins and OโRee to postpone the ceremony until Jan. 18 -- 64 years to the day that he became the leagueโs first Black player.
MLB season slated to start with Yankees-Jays, Tigers-Indians
(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)NEW YORK โ The major league season is scheduled to start April 1 with the New York Yankees hosting Toronto and Detroit hosting Cleveland, part of an opening-day schedule of 15 games. The schedule envisions every team playing its first game on the same day for the first time since 1968. AdThe regular season is scheduled to end Oct. 3, with all games scheduled to start close to simultaneously shortly after 3 p.m. EDT. The Yankees host Boston in the only game scheduled for July 15, the final day of the All-Star break for most teams. Players rejected a proposal by teams to delay opening day to April 28 and cut each team's schedule from 162 games to 154.
PBS chief defends filmmaker Ken Burns, touts diversity
FILE - Ken Burns, director of the PBS documentary series "Country Music," takes part in a panel discussion during the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour on July 29, 2019, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Speaking Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, to the Television Critics Association in a virtual Q&A, PBS chief executive Paula Kerger rejected a filmmakers claim that public TVs long relationship with Burns has come at the expense of diversity. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)LOS ANGELES โ The chief executive of PBS rejected a filmmakerโs argument that public TV's 40-year relationship with documentarian Ken Burns has come at the expense of diversity. โWe create lots of opportunities for many filmmakers,โ Kerger said. "The stuff thatโs coming up is incredibly diverse in every sense of the meaning of that word,โ Burns said.
More than 100 years after his birth, Jackie Robinsonโs impact is still in the air
Sunday, or Jan. 31, is a historic date for the world of sports, and American society in general, as it marked 102 years since the birth of Jackie Robinson. While Robinson only lived for 53 years, until his death in 1972, the level of his impact will continue to be felt for generations to come. In 1947, Robinson became the first Black baseball player to play in the Major Leagues in the modern era when he suited up for the Brooklyn Dodgers, an event that paved the way for inclusion of black people in all sports. But while Robinson is mainly remembered for his bravery in breaking the color barrier in baseball, and withstanding criticism from others while doing it, he also was a veteran, a businessman and an advocate for civil rights. In honor of Robinsonโs birthday, test your knowledge of his life โ and maybe find out more about him โ with this quiz.
Aaron lauded for grace amid racism during home run pursuit
Joe Carter met his childhood idol when he won the first Hank Aaron Award in 1986 after leading the majors in RBIs. Hank Aaron. Aaron broke Ruth's record with his 715th home run for the Atlanta Braves in 1974 in former President Jimmy Carter's native Georgia. โHe grew up poor and faced racism as he worked to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Itโs going to be at the Hall of Fame, it was Hank Aaron, Joe Morgan, and Frank Robinson.
Indians manager Francona says team's name change "correct"
FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona talks before a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in Cleveland. Francona, on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, praised the Cleveland Indians for trying to do the right thing with a name change that was inevitable, and necessary (AP Photo/Phil Long, File)CLEVELAND โ Manager Terry Francona praised the Cleveland Indians for trying to โdo the right thingโ with a name change that was inevitable โ and necessary. โI am proud of the fact that we are going to do something that is correct,โ Francona said on a Zoom call from his home in Arizona. He's confident Chris Antonetti, the team's president of baseball operations, and general manager Mike Chernoff will do whatever's necessary to keep the Indians competitive. Schilling pitched for Francona in Philadelphia and Boston, where he helped the Red Sox end their long World Series drought.
MLB reclassifies Negro Leagues as major league
Major League Baseball has reclassified the Negro Leagues as a major league and will count the statistics and records of its 3,400 players as part of its history. Josh Gibson, the greatest of all Negro League sluggers, might just wind up with a major league record, too. The statistics and records of greats like Gibson, Paige and roughly 3,400 other players are set to join Major League Baseball's books after MLB announced Wednesday it is reclassifying the Negro Leagues as a major league. The Negro Leagues consisted of seven leagues, and MLB will include records from those circuits between 1920-48. Those leagues were excluded in 1969 when the Special Committee on Baseball Records identified six official โmajor leaguesโ dating to 1876.
Final goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2020
The world also said goodbye to U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a lion of the civil rights movement who died in July. Other former political figures who died this year include Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak, New York Mayor David Dinkins, Arizona Gov. Here is a roll call of some influential figures who died in 2020 (cause of death cited for younger people, if available):___JANUARY___David Stern, 77. The guitarist who supplied the scratching, seething sound that fueled the highly influential British punk band Gang of Four. He fused African rhythms with funk to become one of the most influential musicians in world dance music.
Braves' Freeman wins NL MVP, White Sox slugger Abreu gets AL
Freeman easily won the NL MVP award Thursday, Nov. 12, topping off a trying year that saw him become so ill with COVID-19 he prayed please dont take me. Betts was bidding to join Frank Robinson as the only players to win the MVP award in both leagues. Cleveland third baseman Josรฉ Ramรญrez finished second in the AL MVP voting and Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu was third. He became the fourth different White Sox player to win the AL MVP, joining Frank Thomas (1993-94), Dick Allen (1972) and Nellie Fox (1959). A three-time AL MVP, Trout had finished in the top four every season since he was AL Rookie of the Year in 2012.
Art exhibit in Chadwick Boseman's hometown honors legacy
A boy stands in front of two paintings of Chadwick Boseman during the opening of an art exhibit honoring the actor in his hometown of Anderson, S.C. on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. Nearly 20 local artists took part in the city sponsored project. (Charles McBryde, Via AP)
Art exhibit in Chadwick Boseman's hometown honors legacy
A boy stands in front of two paintings of Chadwick Boseman during the opening of an art exhibit honoring the actor in his hometown of Anderson, S.C. on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. Local artist Joey Withinarts started painting his take on Bosemanโs image just hours after the news broke of his passing. The exhibit, which opened to the public Thursday, features nearly twenty local South Carolina artists. Local artist Troleum Dawson, who is a colon cancer survivor himself, says the project has brought the community closer. Exhibit organizer Herman Keith Jr. sees Boseman's life as a message to young kids living in small towns like Anderson and beyond.
Landis' name pulled off baseball MVP plaques after 75 years
FILE - In this Jan. 22, 2006, file photo, a Joe DiMaggio 1947 MVP Award plaque is displayed at a news conference in New York. The name of Landis, the former baseball commissioner who never had a Black player in the majors during his long reign, is being pulled off all future MVP plaques after more than 75 years. Landis won't be depicted on the annual awards presented by the Baseball Writers Association of the America, the group said Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. Kenesaw Mountain Landis won't be depicted on the annual awards presented by the Baseball Writersโ Association of the America, the group said Friday. โTo me, the MVP award should be something thatโs all positive,โ Larkin told the AP on Friday.
For the 'Great One'; Pirates, MLB honor Roberto Clemente
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher JT Brubaker delivers during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020. To commemorate Roberto Clemente Day, the Pirates all are wearing Clemente's No. The Pirates celebrated Clemente's legacy by wearing his number during the organization's first Roberto Clemente Day" on Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox. The Pirates made sure to extend the tribute beyond the walls of PNC Park, where the Roberto Clemente Bridge stands. One of the things that we have talked about a lot is Roberto Clemente, the player, is one of the greatest players of all time, Shelton said.
Chadwick Boseman didn't just play icons. He was one.
FILE - In this Feb. 14, 2018 photo, actor Chadwick Boseman poses for a portrait in New York to promote his film, "Black Panther." Boseman, who played Black icons Jackie Robinson and James Brown before finding fame as the regal Black Panther in the Marvel cinematic universe, has died of cancer. His representative says Boseman died Friday, Aug. 28, 2020 in Los Angeles after a four-year battle with colon cancer. (Photo by Victoria Will/Invision/AP)
โBlack Pantherโ star Chadwick Boseman dies of cancer at 43
LOS ANGELES โ Actor Chadwick Boseman, who played Black icons Jackie Robinson and James Brown before finding fame as the regal Black Panther in the Marvel cinematic universe, died Friday of cancer, his representative said. Boseman died at his home in the Los Angeles area with his wife and family by his side, his publicist Nicki Fioravante told The Associated Press. Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago, his family said in a statement. โFrom Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilsonโs Ma Raineyโs Black Bottom and several more- all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. It was the honor of his career to bring King TโChalla to life in Black Panther.โBoseman had not spoken publicly about his diagnosis.
Scherzer fans 11, Nationals beat Red Sox 10-2
Soto and Howie Kendrick hit back-to-back homers in Washington's five-run third inning, and Max Scherzer struck out 11 to lead the Nationals to a 10-2 victory over the Red Sox on Friday night. Trea Turner and Victor Robles had three hits apiece for Washington, which handed Scherzer (3-1) a 5-0 lead in the third. The Red Sox scored one in the ninth and loaded the bases before Ryne Harper got the last two outs. The Nationals snapped a three-game losing streak and sent the Red Sox to their fourth loss in five games; it's Boston's worst start since the Great Depression. Red Sox: RHP Chris Mazza (0-1) starts in the second game of the series.
A's, Astros walk off field in protest, game postponed
The scoreboard for baseball game is seen before both the Oakland Athletics and Houston Astros players walked off the field in protest of racial injustice before the start of their baseball game Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in Houston. After a moment of silence, the teams walked back to their clubhouses. The Astros and Athletics will play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 3 p.m. McCullers headed back to the dugout shortly after the national anthem, which was played before the players took the field. I think we all feel the same way.On Thursday, the New York Mets and Miami Marlins took a similar action before their game at Citi Field, walking off the field.
Shock, grief, and gratitude after death of Chadwick Boseman
God bless Chadwick Boseman. Denzel Washington, via a statement. During the premiere party for Black Panther, Chadwick reminded me of something. My friend and fellow Bison Chadwick Boseman was brilliant, kind, learned, and humble. We are devastated by the tragic loss of Chadwick Boseman. From Black Panther to Da 5 Bloods, Chadwick Boseman brought strength and light to the screen, every time. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, via Twitter.
Chadwick Boseman, who embodied Black icons, dies of cancer
FILE - In this March 4, 2018 file photo, Chadwick Boseman arrives at the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Actor Chadwick Boseman, who played Black icons Jackie Robinson and James Brown before finding fame as the regal Black Panther in the Marvel cinematic universe, has died of cancer. When the former playwright suited up as Black Panther, he brought cool intellectual gravitas to the Marvel superhero whose Wakanda forever! salute reverberated worldwide. You dont have the same exact experience as a Black actor as you do as a white actor. Before an auditorium full of actors, Chadwick Boseman stepped to the microphone.
Hamilton dedicates F1 pole position to Chadwick Boseman
Hamilton will start in pole position for race on Sunday. A superhero died last night so that was really weighing heavy on me today," Hamilton said. I woke up today to the saddest news of Chadwick passing away, Hamilton said. Hamilton, the only black driver in F1, explained the impact both Chadwick and his film character had on him. Ferraris lack of form was such that Leclerc, who won last year from pole position, was happy to qualify in 13th.
Chadwick Boseman didn't just play icons. He was one.
FILE - In this Feb. 14, 2018 photo, actor Chadwick Boseman poses for a portrait in New York to promote his film, "Black Panther." Boseman, who played Black icons Jackie Robinson and James Brown before finding fame as the regal Black Panther in the Marvel cinematic universe, has died of cancer. In a tragically brief but historically sweeping life as an actor, Boseman played men of public life and private pain. Theres a lot to learn from Thurgood Marshall, Boseman said that day two and a half years ago. During the filming of Black Panther, Boseman said he was communicating with two boys who had terminal cancer.
Obama, Johansson and more react to death of Chadwick Boseman
NEW YORK Chadwick came to the White House to work with kids when he was playing Jackie Robinson. Chadwick was not only a deeply soulful and powerful actor, but he was such a kind, thoughtful, funny and gentle person. Theres a reason (Chadwick Boseman) could play Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall, and King TChalla with such captivating depth and honesty. Chadwick Boseman. Beyonc wrote on her website. Rest in power, King. Scottie Pippen, longtime Chicago Bulls star and six-time NBA champion, said on Twitter.
MLB celebrates Jackie Robinson, calls for justice continue
He's just glad that on Jackie Robinson Day, they're conversations that everyone is willing to have, even if the answers aren't always clear. For Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, Jackie Robinson Day comes at a good time. Coming up in the Dodgers organization and the name Jackie Robinson, it just meant so much more. MLB announced Friday that its partnership with the Jackie Robinson Foundation would extend through 2023. It includes $3.5 million to support the foundation's Scholarship Program, the Jackie Robinson Museum and the annual JRF ROBIE Awards.
Mets' Smith follows plea with HR; Rosario gets road walkoff
Back in his comfort zone Friday night, the New York Mets outfielder took a starring role in a Subway Series instant classic. We all were extremely happy to just be back on the field and be back playing baseball, Smith said. Smith, a 25-year-old Black man, cried Wednesday night reflecting on a recent shooting by police of a Black man in Wisconsin. 42 for the second game only. Inspired by the emotional comments from the usually upbeat Smith, the Mets staged a walkout protest against racial injustice with the Miami Marlins on Thursday night.
LEADING OFF: Jackie Robinson celebrated amid protests, PPDs
An image of baseball great Jackie Robinson hangs near Petco Park, where a baseball game between the San Diego Padres and the Seattle Mariners had been scheduled Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, in San Diego. Two Major League Baseball games have been postponed as players across the sports landscape reacted in the wake of the weekend shooting by police of Jacob Blake, a Black man, in Wisconsin. A pair of Major League Baseball games were postponed Wednesday as players across the sports landscape reacted in the wake of the weekend shooting by police of Jacob Blake, a Black man, in Wisconsin. Jackie Robinson Day is usually held April 15 but was moved this year due to the pandemic. The Yankees are hopeful that infielder DJ LeMahieu could return some time this weekend from a left thumb sprain.
LEADING OFF: Jackie Robinson celebrated amid protests, PPDs
An image of baseball great Jackie Robinson hangs near Petco Park, where a baseball game between the San Diego Padres and the Seattle Mariners had been scheduled Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020, in San Diego. Two Major League Baseball games have been postponed as players across the sports landscape reacted in the wake of the weekend shooting by police of Jacob Blake, a Black man, in Wisconsin. A pair of Major League Baseball games were postponed Wednesday as players across the sports landscape reacted in the wake of the weekend shooting by police of Jacob Blake, a Black man, in Wisconsin. Jackie Robinson Day is usually held April 15 but was moved this year due to the pandemic. The Yankees are hopeful that infielder DJ LeMahieu could return some time this weekend from a left thumb sprain.
Congressional group wants Landis name pulled from MVP plaque
FILE - In this Jan. 22, 2006, file photo,a Joe DiMaggio 1947 MVP Award plaque is displayed at a news conference in New York. A group of House Democrats called Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, for the name of former baseball commissioner Landis to be pulled off future Most Valuable Player plaques. We recognize that Commissioner Landis namesake on the award is the result of his role in creating the system by which the Baseball Writers Association of America picks each leagues MVP recipient, the letter said. All 28 Democrats have played in the Congressional Baseball Game, an annual charity event at Nationals Park. Manfred, in a letter to Cisneros and Richmond, noted that the BBWAA administers the MVP process.
MLB '20 schedule: Yanks-Nats, Giants-Dodgers open on July 23
Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts fields a fly ball during the restart of baseball spring training Sunday, July 5, 2020, in Los Angeles. MLB released the schedule Monday, and it starts with two games. Cole and the New York Yankees visit the World Series champion Washington Nationals at 7:08 p.m. EDT, then Betts and his new Los Angeles Dodgers teammates host the San Francisco Giants at 10:08 p.m. The same day, Anthony Rendon and the Los Angeles Angels visit Oakland and the Cincinnati Reds host Detroit. Oakland pitcher Mike Fiers will get his first look at his former Houston teammates on Aug. 7 at the empty Coliseum.
Amid furor over monuments, Trump call for garden of statues
FILE - In this Nov. 6, 2014, file photo Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia speaks in Washington. The president unveiled his plan Friday, July 3, 2020, during his speech at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, S.D. We will raise the next generation of American patriots, Trump said at Mount Rushmore. None will have lived perfect lives, but all will be worth honoring, remembering, and studying, according to the order. The order includes language to make clear that non-U.S. citizens who played significant roles in American history also could be honored in the garden.
MVP plaque presenters to discuss Landis' name on MLB trophy
FILE - In this Jan. 22, 2006, file photo,a Joe DiMaggio 1947 MVP Award Plaque is displayed at a news conference in New York. The plaque features the name and image of Kenesaw Mountain Landis. (AP Photo/Jennifer Szymaszek, File)NEW YORK The baseball organization that presents the annual MVP awards will consider whether the name of former commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis should be pulled from future plaques. Landis legacy is always a complicated story that includes documented racism, official MLB historian John Thorn said. Every AL and NL MVP plaque since Landis death has carried his name -- in letters twice as big as the winner -- and an imprint of his face.
Barack Obama and Other Former Presidents Unite to Celebrate 100-Year Anniversary of Baseball's Negro Leagues
It's the 100th anniversary of the Negro Leagues, and the milestone is getting some major recognition. "I couldn't think of a more fitting label for everyone who suited up," Obama shared. Ive been a baseball fan all of my life, and the Negro Leagues are an important part of the sports history. #tipyourcap2020 pic.twitter.com/2yaG84WBH4 TipYourCap2020 (@TipYourCap2020) June 29, 2020Here's a look at some of the other famous figures paying tribute to the Negro Leagues for its 100th anniversary. A tip of the cap to the Negro Leagues from ... do we even need to say his name?
'A dark past': MVPs say time to pull Landis name off plaques
FILE - In this Jan. 22, 2006, file photo,a Joe DiMaggio 1947 MVP Award Plaque is displayed at a news conference in New York. The plaque features the name and image of Kenesaw Mountain Landis. The other name engraved on the trophy: Kenesaw Mountain Landis. If you have the Jackie Robinson Award and the Kenesaw Mountain Landis Award, you are at diametrically opposed poles, Thorn said. Larkin recalled that shortly after he was voted MVP, he got a call from two-time NL MVP Joe Morgan.
A Long-Overdue 'Tip of the Cap' to baseball's Black pioneers
Not long after, with many of its best players gradually following Robinsons path, the Negro Leagues ceased operations. President Clinton said he chose a Chicago Cubs cap in honor of Ernie Banks, the late Hall of Famer who got his start in the Negro Leagues. Long before that, the Negro Leagues made baseball better and America better.The celebration was moved online after a major league-wide tribute to baseballs Black pioneers scheduled for June 27 was shelved along with the games because of the coronavirus pandemic. So then I thought, How about a virtual tip of the cap?''' I always felt if there was going to be conversations about race in sports, the Negro Leagues should be at the center, because thats the story: They triumphed over adversity.
Cubs take local star Ed Howard with 1st-round draft pick
CHICAGO The Chicago Cubs selected hometown shortstop Ed Howard in the first round of the Major League Baseball amateur draft on Wednesday night. The 18-year-old Howard was a prep star at Mount Carmel High School on Chicago's South Side. He also started for the 2014 Jackie Robinson West Little League team that advanced to the finals of the Little League World Series. As far as what stands out to us on the field, he's got an electric skill set, said Dan Kantrovitz, vice president of scouting for the Cubs. He can impact a game in so many ways and we think he's got a chance to be a star.The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Howard went No.
MLB opens draft with Black Lives Matter message, donations
NEW YORK Before the first pick was made, Major League Baseball delivered a message: The sport stands fully behind the Black Lives Matter movement. Executives from all 30 teams working remotely held up signs that read: Black Lives Matter. We have a systemic racism problem in the country. We felt like we could amplify the Black Lives Matter message, he added. That black lives matter, and that we are united for change.