Kansas
Kansas man pleads guilty to helping steal Jackie Robinson statue
A man accused of helping steal and damage the bronze statue of baseball legend Jackie Robinson in Wichita, Kansas, pleaded guilty to the charges against him on Thursday, according to Sedgwick County District Court.
Ricky Alderete, 45, from Wichita, admitted to helping steal the statue from Jackie Robinson Pavilion in McAdams Park in January of this year and placing it in a pickup truck.
Alderete was among the suspects who authorities say cut off the statue at the ankles, leaving behind only Robinson’s feet. At the time, officials estimated the damage to be around $75,000.
Surveillance video captured at least three individuals entering Jackie Robinson Pavilion around midnight on Jan. 25, removing and departing with the statue, authorities previously said.
The statue was discovered dismantled and burned in a trash can fire on Jan. 30 in Garvey Park, authorities said.
A bronze statue of legendary baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson was stolen from a park in Wichita, Kan., Jan. 25, 2024.
Travis Heying/The Wichita Eagle via AP
On Thursday, Alderete pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, aggravated criminal damage to property, interference with law enforcement, criminal damage to property, theft, making a false writing, and identity theft, according to a press release from prosecutors.
District Judge Tyler Roush told Alderete the maximum sentence is 229 months, or over 19 years, in prison and six months in jail. Judge Roush also said he could order Alderete to pay $41,500 to League 42.
The statue was crafted by artist John Parsons and donated to the community by League 42, a nonprofit named after Robinson’s number with the Brooklyn Dodgers that aims to introduce baseball to the youth of Wichita.
According to the Associated Press, League 42 paid about $50,000 for the sculpture, which was installed in 2021.
Alderete is scheduled to be sentenced on July 1.
Robinson is known for being the first baseball player to break the color barrier in the modern era of Major League Baseball. He played for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro leagues and the minor league Montreal Royals before being signed to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.
The signing signaled the end of segregated baseball and led to other Black players joining the major leagues. During his time with the Dodgers, Robinson won Rookie of the Year in 1947, was named National League MVP in 1949, was a six-time All-Star and won the World Series in 1955.
The Minnesota Twins were defeated 3-1 by the Kansas City Royals, who used home runs by Kyle Isbel and Isaac Collins, two hitters not known for their power, on an unseasonably warm day in front of a sellout crowd of 39,320 in Kansas City’s home opener.
The temperature at first pitch on Monday was 85 degrees.
In the first game at Kauffman Stadium since the Royals moved in the fences 8 to 10 feet, all four runs scored on home runs. However, all three home runs also would have been out with the old dimensions.
Kris Bubic (1-0) picked up the win for Kansas City. He allowed one run on two hits in six innings. John Schreiber pitched the ninth for his first save.
Simeon Woods Richardson (0-1) took the loss for the Twins.
Both Woods Richardson and Bubic were effective, though neither was brilliant. Woods Richardson allowed just two runs but on five hits. Bubic walked three. Both starters allowed baserunners in all but one inning.
Bubic was the third straight Royals starter to pitch at least six innings with one or fewer runs allowed after Michael Wacha allowed no runs in 6 innings Saturday and Seth Lugo allowed no runs in 6 1/3 innings on Sunday.
Matt Wallner opened the scoring in the second inning for the Twins with a 424-foot home run that nearly reached the fountains in right-center.
The Royals answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning when Isbel’s homer landed in the Royals bullpen in right field. Isbel managed only four home runs in all of 2025.
Collins then extended the lead to 3-1 with a 400-foot blast into the Twins bullpen in the seventh. It was Collins’ first hit this season, having started the season 0-for-8.
Up next
After an off-day Tuesday, the Twins and Royals resume the three-game series Wednesday.
The Kansas City Royals host their 2026 home opener on Monday afternoon. They’ll be hosting the Minnesota Twins in an American League Central matchup.
Baseball returns to Kauffman Stadium for the first time in 2026 on Monday afternoon. That’s when the Kansas City Royals (1-2) will take the field for their home opener. Their first home game of the year is a divisional matchup, with an American League Central foe in the Minnesota Twins (1-2) coming to town for a three-game set. It was a very even series between these two teams last year, with the Royals winning seven games and the Twins winning six.
How to Watch Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals Today:
Game Date: Monday, March 30, 2026
Game Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
TV Channel: Minnesota Twins (NEW), FOX (KFJX – Joplin, MO – Pittsburg, KS)
Location: Kauffman Stadium
Live Stream the Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals game: Start watching now!
The Royals get to return home on a high note, after picking up their first win of the season on Sunday. That was in the series finale with the Atlanta Braves, which saw them drop the first two games. Catcher Carter Jensen homered and drove in two runs in that 4-1 victory.
Minnesota was also on the road this weekend and won one of three games. The Twins took the middle game against the Baltimore Orioles to open the season. Third baseman Royce Lewis had a strong series, hitting the Twins’ only two home runs to this point.
What Time Is The Minnesota vs Kansas City Game On?
The Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals game will take place on Monday, March 30, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET. Tune in to see the Royals’ home opener, the 54th at Kauffman Stadium.
What Channel Is The Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals Game On?
All of the action in this game can be found on Minnesota Twins (NEW), FOX (KFJX – Joplin, MO – Pittsburg, KS). Make sure you subscribe to Fubo now to watch this matchup, as well as numerous other sports leagues.
Live Stream the Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals game: Start watching now!
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Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current
Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current LIVE GAME: Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current look to seize control of thrilling Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current. Every team in the Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current has two wins apiece as we go into the final two game weeks. Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current will host Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current at Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current Park Stadium with the Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current a single point ahead of Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current in the standings and just one behind leaders Portland Thorns FC vs Kansas City Current.
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