"Months of planning and anticipation will culminate in
tonight's Jackie Robinson celebration, making Shea Stadium
the place to be for the first time in years," according to
John Harper of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. Mets management is
"hoping for good weather, a big crowd and a smooth arrival
for the President." President Clinton will speak between
the fifth and sixth innings of tonight's Mets-Dodgers game,
although "few details" were being released about the
President's appearance (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/15). The TIMES'
Claire Smith notes the President and a "host of government
and civic leaders will be joined at Shea by Rachel and
Sharon Robinson. ... and Branch Rickey 3d." MLB will be
represented by Acting Commissioner Bud Selig, NL President
Len Coleman, Mets Owners Nelson Doubleday and Fred Wilpon
and Dodgers Owner Peter O'Malley. NY Gov. George Pataki,
U.S. Sen. Al D'Amato, NYC Mayor Rudolph Guiliani and OK Rep.
J.C. Watts will also attend the event. Others in attendance
will include Jesse Jackson, Jeanne Ashe, the widow of Arthur
Ashe, and Spike Lee (N.Y. TIMES, 4/15). The Mets "are
expecting a near-capacity crowd because more than 30,000
tickets have been sold and 14,000 more have been donated by
the team" to local youth groups (N.Y. TIMES, 4/15).
LIVE COVERAGE: ESPN will carry the game nationally at
7:30pm ET. The telecast will include a tribute package to
Robinson from figures including Michael Jordan, Muhammad
Ali, Colin Powell, Hank Aaron, Ken Griffey Jr. and Jesse
Jackson. Chris Berman will interview President Clinton, and
Robin Roberts will host the coverage (ESPN).
