Cardinals raffle No. 42 jerseys for charity
Ticket sales run from Jackie Robinson Day through May 15
ST. LOUIS -- Aside from everyone wearing the iconic No. 42, the Cardinals once again are inviting fans to get involved on Jackie Robinson Day.
During a pregame ceremony Friday, the Cardinals, along with On the Run and Anheuser-Busch, kicked off their ninth annual Jackie Robinson Jersey Raffle, which raises money for the Jackie Robinson Foundation and Cardinals Care.
Fans can purchase raffle tickets at On the Run locations from Friday through May 15 for a chance to win a game-worn No. 42 Cardinals jersey and two tickets to a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 22. The winners will receive their jerseys as part of a pregame on-field ceremony that day.
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"It's hard to imagine some of the things he went through," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "Fortunately our game has had a great ambassador like him. It's wise of this game to continue to acknowledge him and to continue to celebrate what he was able to do."
In the past eight seasons, the raffle has raised more than $400,000 to benefit the Jackie Robinson Foundation's local scholars and Cardinals Care.
The day itself has also been kind to the Cardinals, who have an 11-1 record on Jackie Robinson Day heading into Friday night's game against the Cincinnati Reds.
"Some of the things [Robinson] said ... I use quite a bit with our team and outside these walls," Matheny said. "Just [quotes] about personal excellence and the idea of making the most of what you got, regardless of what your obstacles are."