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Front row, from left: Jared Bojorquez, Thomas Chee, Brandon Zeidman, Ronin Honda, Jason Romero.
Second row: Travers Tobis, Jaylen Freeman, Eric Perez, Andy Perez, Caleb Brandon. Back Row: Jason Zeidman, Al Downing, Henry Brandon III, Blake Brandon. Not pictured: Noah Tyau.
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Thirteen current and former Culver City Little League players on Sunday participated in the Major League Baseball and Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities baseball clinic. Two hundred young boys and girls from programs throughout the Los Angeles area were invited to participate.
The clinic, held on the field at Dodger Stadium, featured almost a dozen former Dodgers greats, including two-time Most Valuable Player and baseball’s first African American manager, Frank Robinson, former National League MVP Maury Wills, former National League batting champion Tommy Davis, former Rookie of the Year, Cy Young Award winner and MVP Don Newcombe, former all-star and 123- game winner Gentleman Al Downing, Dodger World Series heroes Sweet Lou Johnson and Kennny Landreaux, Derrell Thomas, and Dennis Powell.
Jim Hill emceed the event, which included speeches from Newcombe, Frank Robinson, and Sharon Robinson, Jackie’s daughter.
Sharon Robinson reminded the youths that her father did not just break the color barrier only for African Americans, but for baseball players of all races.
“”My father was very devoted to young people and development, as is our family,” she said. “To see them come out and be on a big league field as little children, I hope they are inspired that they can grow up and do whatever they want to do.”
The 200 lucky boys and girls split into groups where they were instructed by local high school baseball stars on the different facets of fielding, throwing, running and hitting.
Today, Major League Baseball is celebrating Jackie Robinson Day, celebrating the 64th anniversary of the Hall of Famer breaking baseball's color barrier. For the third consecutive year, all players, coaches and managers will wear Jackie's retired No. 42.
The RBI program is a Major League Baseball youth outreach initiative designed to give underserved young people and communities the opportunity to play baseball and softball, encourage academic success and teach the value of teamwork and other important life lessons.
Mr. Zeidman may be contacted at scott.zeidman@laslots.com
