Jay Horwitz (718) 565-4330 (Mets), Chiara Coletti (718) 935-5696 (BoE)
MAYOR GIULIANI ANNOUNCES THE NEW YORK METS DONATION OF 5,000 JACKIE ROBINSON DAY TICKETS TO NEW YORK CITY STUDENTS
April 15th Game to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Elimination of Baseball's 'Color Barrier'
"Prior to 1947, some of history's best baseball players were denied the opportunity to play major league baseball, not because they weren't talented enough but because of the color of their skin," Mayor Giuliani said. "In one memorable season, Jackie Robinson changed baseball forever. Few matched Jackie's skills on the baseball diamond -- even fewer human beings could ever match his personal courage.
"I can think of no better way to symbolize our appreciation for Jackie than with the Jackie Robinson Day festivities and the donation of these tickets," the Mayor continued. "The 5,000 schoolchildren who attend this game will have a terrific opportunity to see what Jackie meant for baseball and American history. I would like to thank Fred Wilpon and the Mets for their generous donation to the children of New York City."
"The Mets are donating these tickets, and an additional 9,000 tickets to New York City youth groups, to ensure that our City's children will experience a unique educational opportunity at Shea," Fred Wilpon said. "The program on April 15 will include a multimedia educational presentation of Jackie Robinson's impact on baseball, our City and our country, an address to the nation by President Clinton after the fifth inning, and special musical performances."
"Jackie Robinson's life is so full of lessons for all of us -- lessons about our nation's history and attitudes toward race, and about personal triumph over adversity," Chancellor Crew said. "Jackie Robinson has been and will continue to be a powerful role model for young people everywhere I thank the Mets and Mayor Giuliani for giving our children the opportunity to take part in a celebration of a life that truly was extraordinary."
On April 15, 1997, the New York Mets will face the Los Angeles Dodgers at Shea Stadium at 7:40pm. Major League Baseball has chosen this game to pay tribute to Jackie Robinson, the Hall of Fame Brooklyn Dodger and the first African- American to play in the Major Leagues since the 19th Century. In 1947, Jackie Robinson compiled one of the greatest rookie seasons in baseball history and was named the first ever Rookie of the Year. In 1957, after 11 historic seasons with the Dodgers, Robinson retired from baseball. In 1962, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Shortly after his death in 1972, the Rookie of the Year award was renamed the "Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award."
The other organizations receiving free tickets for the April 15 game from the Mets are the National Urban League, the Boys and Girls Club of New York and Reviving Baseball in the Inner-City (RBI).
The Mayor will proclaim April 15, 1997 "Jackie Robinson Day" in New York City and take part in the evening's festivities.
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