With the Los Angeles Dodgers facing the New York Mets at Citi Field this week, Mookie Betts, Will Smith, David Price, and Alex Vesia were among those from the team who went to visit the Jackie Robinson Museum in New York City.
In addition to the players, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and members of the coaching staff also attended. The Dodgers were given an early look at the museum that does not officially open to the public until Labor Day on Sept. 5.
The Jackie Robinson museum has two galleries, the Main Gallery and the Yawkey Sports Gallery, that are filled with exhibits, including a nearly six-minute video that recounts Robinson’s early life that helped shape the values and beliefs that led to his choices as an athlete, activist and humanitarian
The main gallery chronicles Robinson’s life against the backdrop of U.S. history beginning with his birth in 1919. It features artifacts, videos and interactive experiences that highlight Robinson’s commitment to advancing equal opportunity for all through activism, civic engagement, and economic empowerment efforts.
Other highlights from the Main Gallery include actual fan letters, the first national Rookie of the Year plaque awarded, Robinson’s player contracts, photographs, and a timeline with a chronology of Robinson’s life and media kiosks to probe deeper into the subject matter.
The Yawkey Sports Gallery allows visitors to experience highlights of Robinson’s athletic achievements over forty years through story towers that detail Robinson’s five months in the Negro Leagues and his signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
In addition, visitors can learn about his teammates, see game-worn uniforms, and get a picture of Robinson’s play style.
The Yawkey Sports Gallery also has a 3/16-scale model of Ebbets Field they describe as a unique feature of the Museum with a state-of-the-art, interactive touchpoint that allows visitors to learn the stadium experience and historic moments in baseball in Robinson’s time through video content, image projections and immersive audio.
Dodgers visited Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
When the Dodgers faced the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium for the first time since 2014, a contingent from the team went to visit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
Roberts, Kershaw, Price, Hanser Alberto, Yency Almonte, Tyler Anderson, bullpen coach Josh Bard, bench coach Bob Geren, Evan Phillips, Ryan Pepiot, trainer Travis Smith, Trayce Thompson, Alex Vesia and Tony Wolters were part of the unique visit.
The Dodgers were treated to an hour-long tour of the museum by president Bob Kendrick, who guided them through baseball history that touched on not only Robinson, but Roy Campanella, Hank Aaron, Bud Fowler and Cool Papa Bell, among others.
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