A man who took a bronze statue of Jackie Robinson, which was severed at the ankles and later discovered burning in a trash can at a Kansas park, will serve approximately 15 years in prison. A significant portion of the sentence is tied to a burglary committed shortly after the statue theft in January.
On Friday, a judge sentenced Ricky Alderete in connection with three separate cases that he stated in court were a result of Alderete’s addiction to fentanyl.
The League 42 youth baseball organization plans to unveil a replacement statue of Robinson, made from the original mold, on Monday at a Kansas park in Wichita.
This league, primarily serving low-income youth, derives its name from Robinson’s uniform number with the Brooklyn Dodgers, where he famously broke the major leagues’ color barrier in 1947.
Prior to joining the Dodgers, Robinson played for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Leagues, paving the way for many generations of Black American baseball players.
He is celebrated not just as a sports figure but also as a civil rights icon and passed away in 1972.
after newsletter promotion
The community was stunned when the statue was removed from its pedestal in January, leaving only the feet behind.
Five days later, while responding to a fire in a trash can at another park roughly seven miles away, firefighters discovered charred remains of the statue.
Alderete admitted to the theft and was sentenced to 18 months, along with a restitution order of $41,500 for the statue. Most of his time came from an aggravated burglary that resulted in a sentence of 13 and a half years.
“I allowed fentanyl to take control of my life, leading to many poor choices,” he expressed during the court hearing. “I won’t deny it. I never intended to hurt anyone. I feel embarrassed and ashamed.
“I accept whatever happens today. I am prepared for it. I believe I am exactly where I need to be right now because if I continued the way I was, I might not be alive.”
Following the statue’s theft, donations began to come in for a replacement, including a significant contribution of $100,000 from Major League Baseball. Joe Torre, the former New York Yankees manager, and CC Sabathia, a Cy Young Award winner, are anticipated to attend the unveiling.
The bronze cleats that were left when the original statue was taken are now showcased at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri.
