BOSTON, MA – For the 19th year, the Boston Red Sox celebrated the life of Jackie Robinson by teaching middle schoolers the story of his challenges and triumphs through a virtual webinar that took place earlier today, January 30, featuring former players Mo Vaughn, Mike Cameron, Red Sox Minor League coach Bianca Smith and Mental Skills Coordinator of Behavioral Health Adan Severino. The webinar marked what would have been Robinson’s 103rd birthday. 

The panel discussion was conducted for students attending South and East Brockton middle schools who had a chance to also hear from Lauren Meyer, Director of “The Other Boys of Summer” and from two Jackie Robinson Scholars, Red Sox Vice President/Club Counsel Elaine Steward and EVP/ Social Impact and Red Sox Foundation Executive Director Bekah Salwasser. Red Sox Poet Laureate Dick Flavin contributed to the discussion, which was moderated by NESN’s Jahmai Webster.

Robinson became the first African American to play in the major leagues on April 15, 1947, when he donned a Brooklyn Dodgers uniform and stepped onto the baseball diamond at Ebbets Field for a game against the Boston Braves. Dodgers President/General Manager Branch Rickey selected Robinson as much for his values and strength of character as for his baseball skills that helped him earn the 1947 Rookie of the Year Award, the 1949 National League Most Valuable Player Award, and six trips to the All-Star Game in a 10-year major league career during which the Dodgers won six N.L. pennants and the 1955 World Series.