BOSTON, MA – The Boston Red Sox will pay tribute to Jackie Robinson on Tuesday, January 31 on what would have been the 104^th birthday for the Hall of Famer. The club will visit 7^th and 8^th grade students at the John D. O’Bryant School to speak about Robinson’s racial impact on Major League Baseball and his connection to the Boston Red Sox. Red Sox Hall of Famer Tommy Harper and Red Sox Alumnus Darnell McDonald will be in attendance for the annual Jackie Robinson Celebration of Life, now in its 20^th year.

Also joining Tuesday’s tribute is Jackie Robinson Foundation Vice President of External Affairs Ivo Philbert, Northeastern University John D. O’Bryant African American Institute Director Dr. Richard L. O’Bryant, Red Sox Vice President/Club Counsel and Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholar Elaine Steward, and Red Sox Foundation Executive Director Bekah Salwasser. Jahmai Webster of NESN will moderate the event. Wally the Green Monster will also be on hand, along with World Series trophies.

The program is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and will include interactive question and answer sessions between the panelists and students.

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.