Jackie Robinson Day Festivities Announced
The IronPigs will honor the life and legacy of Jackie Robinson when they host the Pawtucket Red Sox at Coca-Cola Park on Friday, April 15 at 7:05 p.m. with a number of unique promotions, including the public display of a life-sized, solid-wood, hand-carved statue of Robinson. Fans will be able to pose with the statue for photos as well as speak with the sculptor Brian Birrer about the one-of-a-kind piece.
In addition to the public display of the sculpture, IronPigs players will show their appreciation for Jackie Robinson's remarkable career by donning commemorative IronPigs caps featuring a "42" patch - Robinson's uniform number throughout his remarkable Major League career. These special game-worn caps will be auctioned off via a Tricky Tray raffle on the main concourse during Friday's game (bidding ends at the conclusion of the 6th inning) and lucky winners can pick up their signed cap beginning on Saturday, April 16 at the Majestic Clubhouse Store during normal business hours (Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.). All proceeds from this hat raffle benefit IronPigs Charities - a non-profit organization striving to create additional recreational and educational opportunities for Lehigh Valley youth.
Jackie Robinson Day - celebrated on April 15 to commemorate the day that Robinson made his Major League debut in 1947 -- has annually been celebrated across professional baseball since 2004. The event recognizes Robinson's memorable career, which includes becoming the first African American Major League Baseball player. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962 following an exceptional decade-long career in which he was named Rookie of the Year in 1947, National League All-Star MVP in 1949 and a six-time All-Star. He also captured the 1955 World Series as a member of the famed 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers. To honor his remarkable accomplishments, professional baseball universally retired his uniform number 42 in 1997.
In addition to the aforementioned promotions, the IronPigs will honor Robinson's legacy and accomplishments in special tributes throughout the game. Friday's game also features the first Friday Night Fireworks show of the season presented by AT&T.
For more information on the Jackie Robinson statue visiting Coca-Cola Park on Friday, visit www.birrerart.com.
The IronPigs' official 2016 home opener is slated for Thursday, April 14 at 7:05 p.m. against the Pawtucket Red Sox and features a fleece blanket giveaway presented by Service Electric Cable TV & Communications as well as an extended two-hour Happy Hour from 5 to 7 p.m. with $1 hot dogs and $2 domestic drafts. Single-game tickets, mini-plan packages and group tickets for all 2016 IronPigs home games presented by Capital BlueCross, are on sale now and can be purchased at the Coca-Cola Park Ticket Office, online at www.ironpigsbaseball.com/tickets or by calling (610) 841-PIGS (7447).