January 27, 2017, Boston, MA:
Jae Holland of the Boston Red Sox consoles a student as he cries while asking a question during a Jackie Robinson Day recognition event at Charlestown High School in Boston, Massachusetts Friday, January 27, 2017.
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox)
January 27, 2017, Boston, MA:
Students attend a Jackie Robinson Day recognition event at Charlestown High School in Boston, Massachusetts Friday, January 27, 2017.
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox)
January 27, 2017, Boston, MA:
Boston Red Sox mascot Wally the Green Monster poses for a photograph with students during a Jackie Robinson Day recognition event at Charlestown High School in Boston, Massachusetts Friday, January 27, 2017.
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox)
January 27, 2017, Boston, MA:
Memorabilia is shown during a Jackie Robinson Day recognition event at Charlestown High School in Boston, Massachusetts Friday, January 27, 2017.
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox)
January 27, 2017, Boston, MA:
Former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn speaks during a Jackie Robinson Day recognition event at Charlestown High School in Boston, Massachusetts Friday, January 27, 2017.
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox)
January 27, 2017, Boston, MA:
Students pose for a photograph with the Boston Red Sox World Series trophies during a Jackie Robinson Day recognition event at Charlestown High School in Boston, Massachusetts Friday, January 27, 2017.
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox)
January 27, 2017, Boston, MA:
Former Boston Red Sox player Tommy Harper speaks to students during a Jackie Robinson Day recognition event at Charlestown High School in Boston, Massachusetts Friday, January 27, 2017.
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox)
January 27, 2017, Boston, MA:
Former Boston Red Sox player Tommy Harper speaks during a Jackie Robinson Day recognition event at Charlestown High School in Boston, Massachusetts Friday, January 27, 2017.
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox)
For the 15th consecutive year, the Boston Red Sox celebrated the life of Jackie Robinson by teaching New England students the story of his challenges and triumphs. The club visited with 9th and 10th grade students at East Boston High School and Charlestown High School this afternoon, accompanied by former Mayor of Boston and U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican Ray Flynn, and Red Sox Hall of Famer Tommy Harper.
Robinson would have turned 98 this Tuesday, January 31.
Also joining the tribute were Chairman of the Great Fenway Park Writers’ Series George Mitrovich, and Red Sox PA announcer and Poet Laureate Dick Flavin. Adam Pellerin of NESN moderated the event. Wally the Green Monster was also on hand, along with the three World Series trophies.
Here are photos from the appearance at Charlestown High School. The first photo shows a young student who became emotional when stating that Jackie Robinson was one of his heroes. In broken english, he said that as an immigrant, adjusting to life in America has been very difficult, but thanked the speakers for their message that they delivered on stage. This was a raw, emotional moment, and a reminder that sports, and the Red Sox, do have a real impact on people.