Only the Feet Left: Who Stole the Jackie Robinson Statue?

Police: "Two people caught on CCTV... Searching ongoing"
"Robinson is an American icon... Community deeply shocked"

The statue of Jackie Robinson, the first Black player in Major League Baseball (MLB), was stolen, leaving only the ankles behind.

On the 27th (Korean time), the Associated Press reported, "The statue of Robinson in a park in Wichita, Kansas, was stolen, leaving only the ankles behind."

Wichita police confirmed through closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage on the 25th that two individuals were seen carrying pieces of the statue in the morning. The police released the footage on social networking services (SNS) and stated, "We are searching throughout Wichita."

Statue of Jackie Robinson in a park in Wichita, Kansas, USA, left with only both feet after being stolen
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The Wichita Crime Prevention Committee has offered a $2,500 reward for the capture of the culprit and a $5,000 reward for providing evidence that helps recover the statue.

Joe Sullivan, chief of the Wichita Police Department, expressed at a press conference, "I feel anger and frustration at the perpetrator who damaged the statue erected to teach local children about the history created by the American icon Robinson," adding, "It is an even bigger issue that this happened ahead of Black History Month (February)."

Brandon Johnson, a member of the Wichita City Council, also called it "a truly terrible incident" and urged, "Anyone who finds the statue should contact the police immediately."

Robinson debuted in Major League Baseball in 1947 by joining the Brooklyn Dodgers and played until 1956, becoming a renowned baseball player and the first Black major leaguer of the 20th century. At a time when it was unimaginable for Black players to play in the major leagues, he overcame discrimination and threats with skill and patience, becoming a legendary player. After retiring, he also worked as a civil rights activist.

A scene from the movie '42' about the life of Jackie Robinson [Image source=Naver Movie]

Because of this, Robinson is regarded as a symbolic figure who changed not only baseball but also America. In 1997, then U.S. President Bill Clinton said, "I believe every American should express special gratitude to Jackie Robinson."

Subsequently, Major League Baseball retired Robinson's number 42 across the entire league and designated April 15th each year as "Jackie Robinson Day," holding commemorative events.

The Associated Press reported, "Robinson is an icon who influenced not only baseball but American society as a whole," and added, "The shock this incident has caused in the local community is truly significant."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.