Jackie Robinson's daughter to join Dodgers' board

Sharon Robinson hopes Dodgers' involvement will help Jackie Robinson Foundation.

October 27, 2012|By Bill Shaikin

Sharon Robinson looks on as her son, Jesse, helps Rachel Robinson, Jackies… (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los…)

DETROIT — — Jackie Robinson's daughter said Saturday she has agreed to join the Dodgers' board of directors, strengthening the bond between the team and its most historically significant alumnus.

Sharon Robinson said she would represent her family and the Jackie Robinson Foundation on the Dodgers' board. In return, she said, the Dodgers' new owners would select a representative to serve on the board of the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

Sharon Robinson appeared at Yankee Stadium last April 15, on the anniversary of the day her father broke the major league color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers. She said she would celebrate Jackie Robinson Day at Dodger Stadium next season.

"We're excited. We're looking forward to being out there April 15," she said before Game 3 of the World Series, where she recognized a winner of baseball's "Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life" essay contest.

A Dodgers official said the team is finalizing an agreement with the Robinson family but declined to comment publicly in advance of an announcement. Sharon Robinson said several details need to be completed.

Sharon Robinson said she hoped the involvement of Dodgers ownership would help the Jackie Robinson Foundation secure funding for additional college scholarships as well as for a planned Jackie Robinson Museum in New York.

"We don't see it as a sports museum," she said. "We see it as a civil rights museum."

bill.shaikin@latimes.com

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