Rays celebrate Jackie Robinson, Breaking Barriers

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-The Tampa Bay Rays will honor Jackie Robinson Day through the organization's Breaking Barriers celebration. Although Major League Baseball's official Jackie Robinson Day (April 15) occurs while the Rays are on the road, the Rays will host several community activities and recognize community figures leading up to Saturday's 7:10 p.m. game when the Rays take on the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field.

The Rays Breaking Barriers program uses baseball as a metaphor for life. The curriculum is based on the nine values demonstrated by barrier breaker Jackie Robinson: Determination, Commitment, Persistence, Integrity, Justice, Courage, Teamwork, Citizenship and Excellence.

From April 14 through April 16, Rays mascot Raymond will appear at local recreation centers. At these centers, Raymond will distribute activity books and perform a Robinson-themed presentation.

On April 18 beginning at 10 a.m., the Rays-including several Rays players-will host a baseball clinic for 120 kids from Burg Baseball Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides free baseball programs for youth players in South St. Petersburg. Participants will then return for the game later that evening.

Prior to first pitch, winners of the Monte Irvin Scholarship will also be announced. The Monte Irvin Scholarship, funded by the Rays Baseball Foundation, was established to recognize and support the higher education of two outstanding minority high school students in Pinellas County. These scholarship winners are shining examples of academic excellence, strong character and commitment to the community and are selected from the Facilitating the Leadership of Youth Society, a teen-led organization designed to allow youth leaders to be change agents in the community.

During the game, the Rays will also recognize participants in the Poynter Institute's Write Field program, many of whom submitted essays for Major League Baseball's Breaking Barriers Essay Contest in conjunction with Scholastic Inc.

The Rays have also partnered with the United Way Suncoast to recognize three outstanding citizens that have broken barriers in their own lives and serve as an inspiration to others. These individuals will be announced in a pregame ceremony on Saturday. 

Additionally, all game day staff will wear a specially designed "42" T-shirt commemorating the Breaking Barriers celebration. Rays players taking batting practice will also wear the T-shirt, which will be available for auction at raysbaseball.com/auctions, with proceeds benefitting the Monte Irvin Scholarship.