The Phillies are hosting a virtual event in honor of MLK Day on 1/16
Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the Philadelphia Phillies will be honoring the legendary civil rights activist with a special event.
According to MLB.com, the club will be hosting a virtual conversation, “Athletes and Activisim: Sports, Racial Equality and Social Justice,” filmed at the African American Museum in Philadelphia. The museum, which has a full weekend of events celebrating Dr. King, describes the upcoming event as one that will, “highlight the unique experiences of renowned athletes and advocates for social justice and racial equity.”
With the ongoing lockout, the Phillies cannot include any current players in any way. Instead, the conversation will include Gary “Sarge” Matthews, Harold Reynolds, Jimmy Rollins, and Dawn Staley.
Matthews played for the Phillies from 1981-83. A former Rookie of the Year, Matthews was named NLCS MVP of the 1983 Phillies when a spectacular offensive showing propelled them into the World Series. Unfortunately, they lost the fall classic to the Baltimore Orioles.
Speaking of the Orioles, Reynolds spent one season with them during his 12-year career. The two-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove second baseman is now an analyst for MLB Network and Fox Sports.
Rollins, of course, enjoyed a 15-year career with the Phillies, which included three All-Star seasons, four Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger, NL MVP, and a 2008 World Series ring. He currently serves as an advisor in the organization.
Staley is a Philadelphia native, who had a legendary basketball career in Europe and the WNBA, before becoming a coach at Philly’s Temple University. She has won four Olympic gold medals – three as a player and one as a coach – and is in the Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. She is currently the South Carolina Gamecocks WBB head coach.
The pre-recorded event will be available for streaming on the Phillies’ YouTube channel and the museum website on January 17 at 3 PM ET. The museum also offers free admission on Monday.