Cyclones honor Jackie Robinson’s legacy
Before last Friday’s Aberdeen game, the Cyclones hosted the introduction of MiLB’s new black outreach initiative “The Nine,” named in honor of Jackie Robinson’s minor league number.
To introduce the program, various members of the black community in the worlds of sports, government and community activism were recognized in the breakthrough spirit of Robinson. Ingrid Lewis-Martin, chief advisor to Mayor Eric Adams, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams represented New York City along with other citywide leaders.
In part, the gathering was also a reunion for some of the participants, such as former Cyclones hitting coach Donovan Mitchell (2002, 2004-05). Now the New York Mets’ director of diversity, equality and inclusion, Mitchell returned to Maimonides Park to win the home run derby contest over former Chicago Bull Scott Burrell and Mark Ross, a former Cyclones batboy. Ross, the son of Cyclones administrative assistant Sharon Lundy, is a graduate of Morrisville State College and works in Coney Island’s Urban Neighborhood Services.