NEW YORK  — Maya Angelou will not attend the 2014 MLB Beacon Awards Luncheon, where she will be honored.

 

Major League Baseball cited “health reasons” Friday in saying the 86-year-old won’t make it to the May 30 event in Houston, Texas, before the annual Civil Rights Game.

 

Angelou canceled an event last month in Fayetteville, Arkansas, because she was recovering from an “unexpected ailment” that sent her to the hospital.

 

Robin Roberts will be the keynote at the baseball event, which will also honor Motown Records founder Berry Gordy and football great Jim Brown.

 

Angelou says in a statement she respects MLB for holding the annual event. She did not disclose the nature of her illness.

 

The Houston Astros will host the Baltimore Orioles in this year’s Civil Rights Game.

 

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