A man from Kansas has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for stealing a statue of Jackie Robinson from a park. The man, Ricky Alderete, was sentenced by a judge on Friday, with most of the jail time being related to another burglary that occurred shortly after the statue theft. Alderete admitted that his actions were fueled by a fentanyl addiction and expressed remorse in court, stating that he never intended to harm anyone.
The stolen statue was taken from McAdams Park in January and was later found dismantled and burned. The bronze cleats that were left behind after the statue was stolen are now on display at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri. Robinson, a legendary baseball player, broke the Major League Baseball’s color barrier when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.
Following the theft of the original statue, donations poured in to replace it, including $100,000 from Major League Baseball. A new statue is set to be unveiled on Monday, with former players Joe Torre and CC Sabathia expected to attend the event.
In the major leagues, Robinson had an impressive career, hitting .313, winning an MVP award in 1949, and being named an All-Star six times. He also earned a spot as a Negro League All-Star, totaling seven all-star nods in his professional baseball career. Robinson passed away in 1972 at the age of 53, with many attributing his early death to the stress he faced during his playing days.
The theft of the Jackie Robinson statue and its subsequent destruction serve as a reminder of the impact and legacy of the legendary baseball player. The new statue, along with the bronze cleats on display, will continue to honor Robinson’s contributions to the sport and his role in breaking barriers in Major League Baseball.
