WooSox To Celebrate Jackie Robinson For His 101st Birthday

WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Red Sox and Worcester State University will celebrate the life of Jackie Robinson in a ceremony on Saturday — one day after what would've been Robinson's 101st birthday.

The free event will feature former Red Sox players Tommy Harper, Sam Horn, Manny Delcarmen, plus Red Sox announcer Dick Flavin and Mets pitcher Ryan O'Rourke, a Worcester native.

The event kicks off Black History Month, and will also give locals a chance to interact with WooSox personnel — and the Red Sox 2004 World Series trophy.

In 1947, Robinson became the first black player in the major leagues when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. He had tried out for the Red Sox in 1945, but met with racist taunts. The Red Sox were the last team in the major leagues to integrate in 1959.

Robinson was born in Cairo, Ga., on Jan. 31, 1919. He died in April 1972 of a heart attack at his home in Stamford, Conn.

The Feb. 1 event begins at 1 p.m. at Sullivan Auditorium, 486 Chandler St., Worcester.