Community Invited to Commemorate Jackie Robinson’s 105th Birthday at the Jackie Robinson Community Center

The City of Pasadena Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department will hold a public celebration in honor of  Jackie Robinson’s 105th birthday from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at the Jackie Robinson Community Center at 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena.

Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947 when he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

Robinson lived in Pasadena from 1922-47 where he learned to play sports. While living in Pasadena, he attended John Muir High School where he first excelled in baseball, football, track, and basketball. 

Robinson went on to attend UCLA before joining the Dodgers in 1947.

The Jackie Robinson Community Center was dedicated in Robinson’s name on June 2, 1974.

Throughout his life, he contributed to the Civil Rights Movement and was the first African American to play Major League Baseball and become Vice President of a major American corporation.

The birthday party will include self-guided tours of Jackie Robinson memorabilia. This exhibit is on loan from the Pasadena Baseball Reliquary which features a Grays jersey, Negro League baseball items, historical pictures, and a model of Ebbets Field. 

Members of Jackie Robinson’s family will be in attendance. Light refreshments will be served.

At 4:30 p.m. the public is invited to gather at the Jackie Robinson statue at the Rose Bowl Stadium for birthday cupcakes and free guided tours of the stadium and field departing every 30 minutes.

“As we recognize our Pasadena native son, please join City employees in wearing a Jackie Robinson baseball jersey or shirt, or simply the number 42, which was his jersey number,” the announcement said.

For more information about this event or to request a disability-related accommodation, call Jackie Robinson Community Center at (626) 744-7300.