MLB to Fund 30 Jackie Robinson Scholarships

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball will fund 30 four-year Jackie Robinson Foundation scholarships, one for each of the sport's teams, and will contribute $1 million to the project to build a Robinson museum in New York.

As part of Tuesday's announcement, MLB said Robinson scholars will mentor people in the sport's youth and community programs with Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities, MLB Urban Youth Academies and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Robinson broke baseball's color barrier on April 15, 1947.

MLB previously has given more than $15 million to the foundation's scholarship program and for the museum. The foundation assists 225 students annually. The foundation said $21 million has been raised toward the museum's $24 million goal for construction.

Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement that baseball wants to "reflect Jackie's vision for our American society and positively impact future generations."