Historic Dodgertown will host the annual Jackie Robinson Celebration Game on April 15, continuing what has become one of the better traditions in the minors.
April 15 marks the annual celebration of Jackie Robinson Day around baseball, honoring the anniversary of when Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier. Numerous remembrances will take place throughout Major League and Minor League Baseball, but one of the most significant events will be held at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach, FL.
For the last several years, Dodgertown’s Holman Stadium has hosted a regular-season Florida State League game on Jackie Robinson Day. That tradition is set to continue this year, as the St. Lucie Mets will square off against the Dunedin Blue Jays in the fifth annual Jackie Robinson Celebration Game on April 15 at 1:42 p.m. More from TCPalm:
“In 2018, we celebrate both the 70th anniversary of Historic Dodgertown as well as the 70th anniversary of when Jackie Robinson reported to Vero Beach in 1948, and he hit a home run in the first major league exhibition game,” said Peter O’Malley, Historic Dodgertown Chairman. “Jackie’s presence resonates beyond baseball to the integration of society in the South. He is a true American hero and we’re honored that he prepared for the majority of his great seasons in Vero.”
“United Way is proud to partner with Historic Dodgertown in the fifth annual Jackie Robinson Celebration Game,” United Way CEO Michael Kint said. “This has become a phenomenal community-wide event that is inspirational, family-friendly, affordable, and lots of fun. We deliberately keep ticket prices as low as possible so more people have access to this outstanding event.”
“All of us at Historic Dodgertown look forward to hosting the fifth annual Jackie Robinson Game,” said Craig Callan, Vice President, Historic Dodgertown. “This game reminds us that 70 years ago Jackie stepped foot on this property here in Vero Beach, and 65 years ago Holman Stadium saw its first game, also with Jackie in the line-up. His influence is still felt today and we are proud to host this game with the United Way.
Historic Dodgertown is certainly a fitting venue for the annual Jackie Robinson Celebration Game. A former naval air station, it was converted to a spring training camp by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948 and served as the franchise’s spring home until 2008. Holman Stadium was also used for Florida State League action for many years, with the 2008 Vero Beach Devil Rays being the last FSL team to call the ballpark its regular-season home.