Dy’lan Daniels came tantalizingly close to stepping onto the loanDepot park field as a high school ballplayer. Years later, he finally got his moment, not as a player but as the head coach of his alma mater, North Miami Beach High School, during the annual Jackie Robinson Classic.
Reflecting on the experience, Daniels shared, “It was surreal. Being on the same field as the pros was something special.
But more than anything, I was thrilled for my guys. They got to live a moment that’s rare, playing in that stadium, feeling the energy from our fans.
I’ve got those pictures everywhere. It’s a memory we all cherish.”
Angela Smith, the Marlins’ senior director of community initiatives, explained that the Miami Marlins Foundation initially envisioned a Black History Month Classic. However, aligning it with the high school baseball season led to the creation of the Jackie Robinson Classic, scheduled around Jackie Robinson Day on April 15.
This year marks the fifth edition, featuring a matchup between Miami Senior High and Booker T. Washington High.
The event offers more than just a game; it’s a full-fledged big league experience. Players arrive in style on a charter bus, each finding a personalized locker in the visitors’ clubhouse. The game-day atmosphere is electric, complete with a scoreboard, music, a first pitch, and even performances by the band and dance teams.
For Augusto Mendoza, a junior center fielder for North Miami Beach, the experience was unforgettable. “Walking onto that field, seeing the lights, it felt like a dream.
Having my name on a locker, hitting in the same cages as the pros-it was all surreal. It’s a glimpse of what making it could be like.”
The Marlins also honor Jackie Robinson’s legacy through talks by alumni like Charles Johnson or Preston Wilson, who share their insights on Robinson’s impact. Each player receives a warmup shirt emblazoned with the Jackie Robinson Classic logo, the iconic No. 42, and one of Robinson’s nine values. The game includes video tributes and messages from the Jackie Robinson Foundation, encouraging players to reflect on what breaking barriers means to them.
Smith emphasized, “We want the players to enjoy the game but also to understand its significance. Jackie Robinson wasn’t just a baseball pioneer; he was a catalyst for change in America. His values are lessons for life, and we incorporate them into all our youth programs.”
In 2024, Booker T. Washington High School participated in the Classic, a decision that principal Kevin Lawrence described as a no-brainer.
The team’s 5-3 victory over Boyd H. Anderson High was particularly poignant, as it became one of the last games for player Cristopher Ediel Vanega Martinez, who tragically passed away shortly after.
Lawrence, now with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, reflected on the game’s lasting impact. “For Cristopher’s family, teammates, and coaches, that day holds deep meaning.
The Marlins provided professional photos and videos, preserving memories of him proudly wearing his uniform at loanDepot park. The Classic offered more than just a game; it gave his family cherished memories.”