In a distressing incident, pieces of the iconic Jackie Robinson statue, stolen from League 42's baseball facility in north Wichita, were discovered destroyed in Garvey Park after a dumpster fire. The statue, honoring the legendary baseball player who broke the sport's color barrier, had been stolen from the youth baseball league's facility at McAdams Park just last week.

On Tuesday morning, Wichita Fire responded to the fire at Garvey Park and found the statue in pieces after extinguishing the flames. The statue, unveiled by the city in 2021, held immense value for the League 42 community, as it was created by the late John Parsons, a close friend of the league's Director, Bob Lutz.

During a subsequent press conference, Lutz expressed determination to move forward despite the setback, stating, "Today is a day where we know what's ahead of us, and we're going to confront that head on." While the statue is beyond salvageable, the league has initiated the process of replacing it with a replica based on the original mold created by John Parsons.

"The statue that reappears at McAdams Park will be the work of John Parsons," Lutz assured the public. However, the estimated cost for the new statue is approximately $75,000, and to raise funds for this endeavor, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up.

Wichita Police, in the meantime, are actively investigating the case, though no arrests have been made yet. Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan assured the public that arrests would be made but emphasized the importance of building a solid case before proceeding.

The devastating loss of the Jackie Robinson statue has deeply affected the League 42 community and the city as a whole. The statue represented resilience, courage, and the groundbreaking progress made by Robinson in the sport of baseball. Its destruction serves as a harsh reminder of the challenges still faced in combating acts of vandalism and theft.

As the community rallies to restore the memorial, the League 42 organization remains committed to upholding Jackie Robinson's legacy and ensuring the enduring impact of his trailblazing achievements.