Story and Photos: By Roosevelt
University Journalism Students:
Katelyn J. Anderson, Elisabet Bernard,
Katherine L. Childress, Katherine A. Gage, Melinda McClain, James C.Moore, Ivonne
Valadez and Kurt B. Witteman
Nothing
but smiles and pure elation filled the crowd of thousands Wednesday Aug. 27, as
the Jackie Robinson West All-Stars returned home, bringing with them the Little
League Baseball national title. Throngs of onlookers anxiously awaited the
parade down Michigan Avenue, most of them dressed in bright yellow shirts emblazoned
with the words “Jackie Robinson West All-Stars NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.” Among them
was Lee Lewis, 44, who attended the parade with his son.
“This
celebrates a great group of Chicago’s kids, kids who are coming from a part of
the city that only get’s negative press,” Lewis said. “They’ve brought Chicago
together, and they are great roll models for the my son.”
As the parade approached, the crowd
started to roar. Horns blasted. And children and adults chanted for these boys
who captivated a nation with their poise and performance both on and off the
field in the recent Little League World Series at Williamsport, Pa.
“USA,
USA, USA” they chanted over and over again as the boys waved. The people
cheered and screamed in jubilation. “Go West!”
At
Millennium Park, where the parade culminated with a rally, many supporters were
dressed in JRW yellow and black T-shirts and caps and holding signs, saying “Chicago
Stands Behind You JRW 42!” As the crowd patiently waited on the young champions,
the sounds of the police horns on their motorcycle let the fans know that JRW
was nearby. The crowd whistled, clapped, chanted, yelled and screamed “Number
1” as the team stood proudly, and waived as they passed aboard a trolley. Mayor
Rahm Emanuel and the Reverend Jesse Jackson rode in a trolley that trailed the
team.
The parade and the team’s success was a way for local merchants to cash in with memorabilia like T-shirts and caps. But Gary King, 35, passed out free cold water on behalf of his employer, Jewels food stores. Even though, King said he hadn’t followed the South Side baseball team’s success, he added that he was happy to help show Jewels shoppers and neighbors appreciation by giving them cold water on this hot summer day.
At the rally, Jackie
Robinson West founder Bill Haley addressed the crowd that brimmed with
energy and pride.
“Thirteen young boys let
us know not what we have that divides us, but what we have in common,” Haley
said as the crowd roared.
Haley also noted that as
the team won the state regional tournament and advanced to the regional
tournament in that they had little funding and eventually set up a website to solicit
support, proving how far they had come and how much they had accomplished
together. But there was clearly no lack of support Wednesday as a sea of
humanity swarmed Millennium Park and lined the parade route from the city’s
South Side to downtown.
Among them was Leslie
Sanders, a loyal fan who danced with enthusiasm in Millennium Park, cheering
the boys on as they stood on stage for all to see.
“I’ve been following the
team since they went to the playoffs as some of my church members are a part of
the neighborhood they’re representing,” Sanders said.
Earlier,
under a hot August sun, a crowd of hundreds lined along the partition dividing
the curb from Michigan Avenue. Excitement filled the air as faces, young and
old, joined in the celebration.
Among them were Beverly Ann
Sandifer, 58, her daughter Nina Rayburn, 39, and Rayburn’s sons, Azariah Turner,
5, and Aaron Johnson, 9. The family eagerly waited near a partition, hoping to
get a better view of the parade. With a big smile on her face, Sandifer
explained how baseball was always a part of her family’s lives, adding that her
family is deeply rooted in the Jackie Robinson baseball teams.
“Since
1983, my brothers, sons and now grandsons play in the leagues. It’s about time
their efforts pay off,” Sandifer said. “I’m really glad all of Chicago is
behind them, and that children led them here.”
Rayburn
shared her mother’s sentiments. “Jackie Robinson Park baseball teams are a
wonderful community-based organization,” Rayburn said. “Jackie Robinson West is
finally getting the recognition they deserve.”
Others
agreed.
“Youth
need to be celebrated in the same fashion as Kanye West would,” said Tshurhad
Chivas, 37, who cheered the players. “The most inspiring moment of this whole
event is that they gave 100 percent, and it sets an example for not only kids,
but people. We (Chicago) don’t have to be separated. The actions of Jackie
Robinson West showed us how one group can impact the actions of all.”
The celebration moved to Millennium Park where hundreds filled the auditorium as Coach David Butler made an impassioned speech thanking the city, the community and most important, the players, for their efforts and the hard work that led them there.
Standing in the outskirts of the auditorium was Vance Blackfox, 38. With tears in his eyes, he said, “It’s exciting to see young people-youth-achieve great things, and to achieve them with such style, class and maturity as those who play on the Jackie Robinson West team.”
The celebration moved to Millennium Park where hundreds filled the auditorium as Coach David Butler made an impassioned speech thanking the city, the community and most important, the players, for their efforts and the hard work that led them there.
Standing in the outskirts of the auditorium was Vance Blackfox, 38. With tears in his eyes, he said, “It’s exciting to see young people-youth-achieve great things, and to achieve them with such style, class and maturity as those who play on the Jackie Robinson West team.”