In celebration of Jackie Robinson Day, observed annually on April 15, over 200 MLB players – including Mookie Bettis, Jason Heyward, and David Price – donated some or all of their game-day pay to the Players Alliance, an organization that seeks to increase Black representation in baseball both on the field and in the front office.
For those reporting, we now have 230+ @MLB players supporting our campaign. Among those donating their full game-day salary: @mookiebetts @Giancarlo818 #MarcusSemien #LorenzoCain @OfficialBuck103 @Jack9Flaherty @KLew_5 @tai_walker @Mooose_8 to name a few! https://t.co/mzs7yKh6zt
— Players Alliance (@PlayersAlliance) April 15, 2021
With the money raised, the Alliance will launch a new “Breaking Barriers” campaign, which will include a donation to the Jackie Robinson Foundation to establish a new scholarship fund for student-athletes. In addition, the funds will be used to support other of the Players Alliance’s initiatives, including programs focused on mentorship and professional development.
“On April 15, we honor Jackie Robinson as the first player to break the color barrier, a reminder there is still much work to be done in our game,” said Players Alliance president Curtis Granderson. “As The Players Alliance seeks to bridge the gap of racial inequity in baseball, we’re encouraging players, on this date especially, to consider supporting the Alliance and our efforts to continue Jackie’s legacy of breaking barriers.”
With only two Black managers, one Black head of baseball operations, and zero Black general managers in the MLB, these investments in the Players Alliance’s pipeline-building are needed now more than ever.
