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Jackie Robinson West Team Gets $2,500 From Black McDonald's Owners

By Wendell Hutson | August 14, 2014 10:08am
 Jackie Robinson West players in their Great Lakes uniforms in preparation for the Little League World Series.
Jackie Robinson West players in their Great Lakes uniforms in preparation for the Little League World Series.
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Twitter/Darold Butler

CHICAGO — The Black McDonald's Operators Association is donating $2,500 to the Jackie Robinson West baseball team to show support for team as it represents Illinois in the Little League World Series.

A check presentation will be made at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Jackie Robinson Park, 10540 S. Morgan St., where the city is also hosting a free watch party. Derrick Taylor, president of the association, will make the check presentation to Todd Prince, an assistant director with the team.

ESPN will air the 2 p.m. game between JRW and Lynwood, Wash., in Williamsport, Pa. The last time the JRW reached the Little League World Series was in 1983.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said he plans to attend the watch party to cheer on the hometown team.

“Chicago could not be more proud to have these young men and their coaches represent our city, and as they take the field on Thursday, we want them to know an entire city will be behind them cheering them on," Emanuel said, in a statement.

Taylor, 48, is an alumnus of the Jackie Robinson West team.

"I played on the team when I was 11 years old and it gave me something constructive to do with my time," said Taylor, who owns six McDonald's restaurants including two in Chatham. "It was the best Little League on the South Side back then and probably is still the best today."

The BMOA, made up of 14 McDonald's franchise owners in the Chicago and northwest Indiana area, are proud to see a group of black youths being recognized for doing something positive.

"Not a lot gets reported about black kids doing positive things in Chicago," Taylor said. "We're glad to see these kids getting recognition for doing something good and representing their city well."