In January, Wichita Police were called to League 42 about the theft of the Jackie Robinson statue, and on January 30 the statue was found dismantled and burned in a garbage bin at Garvey Park.

Tonight, August 5, there will be an unveiling of a rebuilt Jackie Robinson statue in a ceremony at McAdams Park, starting at 6 p.m., according to League 42’s Facebook page.

The rebuilt statue, funded by donations, is a replica of the original, as the mold was still useable. Originally dedicated in 2021, it was made by artist John Parsons, a friend of League 42 executive director Bob Lutz, before Parsons passed away in 2022.

Robinson played for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Leagues before joining the Brooklyn Dodgers, breaking barriers for future generations of Black American baseball players. He is remembered not only for his sports achievements but also as a civil rights icon. Robinson passed away in 1972.

League 42 said in its post that tonight’s celebration will feature guest speakers and dignitaries, including Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. Also attending are former MLB pitchers CC Sabathia, Dellin Betances and Jeremy Guthrie.

A shuttle service will be available from the McAdams Park lot at the south end of the park between Barry Sanders Field and the big baseball field on 13th Street. That shuttle will begin operation at 5 p.m. and will take attendees to and from the statue ceremony.