The Jackie Robinson Thread [Archive]

runningshoes

03-23-2006, 12:07 PM

I'll be putting up interesting stories I find about Jackie while I'm browsing around the newspapers.

Feel free to comment on anything I post.

I'll start off with Jackie's debut on April 15, 1947 at Ebbets Field.

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves in most of my posts.

runningshoes

03-24-2006, 01:37 AM

http://www.ajclay.com/PTC/pictures/243.jpg

runningshoes

03-24-2006, 01:44 AM

http://www.ajclay.com/PTC/pictures/244.jpg
http://www.ajclay.com/PTC/pictures/245.jpg

runningshoes

03-24-2006, 01:45 AM

http://www.ajclay.com/PTC/pictures/246.jpg

runningshoes

03-24-2006, 02:18 AM

http://www.ajclay.com/PTC/pictures/238.jpg
http://www.ajclay.com/PTC/pictures/239.jpg

From The Sporting News Septemer 1, 1948

runningshoes

03-26-2006, 07:02 AM

From The Times

http://www.ajclay.com/BBF_PDF/Jackie%20debut%201947.pdf

zman

03-28-2006, 08:08 AM

http://images.mastronet.com/images/Auction28/photographs/33960.jpg
It may surprise some people to learn that Jackie Robinson's first game at Ebbets Field in 1947 came not as a Brooklyn Dodger but as a Montreal Royal. Robinson came North with Montreal in April of 1947 to take part in a six game exhibition series with the Dodgers in Brooklyn. The exhibition series was the brainchild of Branch Rickey, who wanted the Dodger players to see Robinson first hand; to see how good he really was and make them understand that they needed Robinson on the team to compete for the pennant. The ploy worked perfectly, as Robinson batted .634 against Dodgers pitching in the series. On April 11th, five days prior to the regular season, the Dodgers purchased Robinson from Montreal, thus ushering in a new era in Major League baseball. This glorious photo captures Robinson, as a member of the Royals, at Ebbets field during that exhibition series. Robinson obviously had no trouble winning over these young Brooklyn fans, as they are practically climbing over one another to obtain his autograph

(photo and caption from mastronet.com)

runningshoes

04-01-2006, 07:27 AM

Jackie mulls over moving to the Polo Grounds.

http://www.ajclay.com/BBF_PDF/jackie-giants.pdf

DODGER DEB

04-01-2006, 08:10 AM

For the record, runningshoes, OUR JACKIE had too much pride and dignity to allow himself to be insulted by the likes of the "Big O" by actually considering this ridiculous trade to the NY Giants.

c.

zman

04-03-2006, 04:40 PM

http://i16.ebayimg.com/02/i/06/b6/3e/75_1.JPG
(ebay)

VIBaseball

04-03-2006, 05:34 PM

I'm not sure if this has been brought up before. To the many of you with direct memories, how do you account for Jackie's dropoff in his last couple of years? Although not drastic, it was noticeable.

* Was it a simple function of age (he was 36 in 1955 and 37 in '56)?
* Was it wear and tear from his playing style?
* Was it less than peak conditioning? The fact is, he was carrying a good deal around the middle there later on.

It was probably a combo of all of these things. But had the whole Giants business not taken place, how much longer do you think he could have been a productive player?

strummer

04-04-2006, 04:37 PM

R&R Auctions has a typed statement from Ed Stevens for auction saying how the Dodgers moived Ed out in order to make room for Jackie Robinson. Part of the statement is:

: “I was replaced in 1947 by Jackie Robinson on the Dodgers. My story’s never been told on that…. Mr. Rickey told me if I’d go back to Montreal and make room for Jackie Robinson and have myself a good year, that he would shake my hand in a gentleman’s agreement that he would bring me back as soon as I got to hittin’ good and got myself in shape—to give him a chance to get rid of Eddie Stanky, move Jackie Robinson to second base and I had a job for the next 10, 15 years, as long as my ability would allow me…. Bein’ 21 years old and nobody to talk for you, nobody to represent you—they just told you what to do and that was it…. He didn’t take my job, they gave it to him.”

Now Ed was never a star first baseman. He began his career with the Dodgers in 1945. He appeared in five games with the Dodgers in 1947, but was sold to Pittsburgh after the season. After partial seasons with the Pirates in 1949 and 1950, he retired with a career batting average of .252, 28 home runs, and a 193 RBI over six seasons.

Go to R&Rauctions.com and look for Lot #1657

zman

04-15-2006, 06:08 AM

DODGER DEB

04-15-2006, 06:37 AM

Many people forget that OUR JACKIE was 28 years old when he first came to BROOKLYN in 1947. He played so hard, both mentally and physically, that, in my mind, I don't know how he lasted as long as he did and continued to be so effective.

OUR JACKIE was as tough as they come; he never gave up on anything. He would find more ways to beat you; that incredible mind of his was always turned on to the possibilities. Never give him an inch, or a blink, because he would take full advantage of it, especially on the bases, where he was wonder to behold day after day. After 10 years that has to take it toll.

OUR JACKIE did have diabetes, among other things, which eventually took a real toll on him. When I last saw him (alive), at Gil Hodges' funeral in April 1972, he could hardly see. THAT tore at OUR hearts. I can only imagine how difficult it was for him.

Today, April 15, 2006, WE celebrate that 59th year of OUR JACKIE and Branch Rickey's triumph into MLB and American history. Rachel Robinson will be at Shea Stadium this afternoon for the rememberance. WE all know that OUR JACKIE'S #42 was retired in 1997 by MLB, save one who thinks he is bigger than OUR JACKIE by continuing to wear his #42. This coming from a team that had to be dragged, kicking and screaming, to the table in 1955, eight years after 1947, to integrate their team, and help save their NY face!

c.

Flatbush Flock

04-15-2006, 07:58 AM

For the record, runningshoes, OUR JACKIE had too much pride and dignity to allow himself to be insulted by the likes of the "Big O" by actually considering this ridiculous trade to the NY Giants.

c.

Let's be fair--I read in one of Jackie's more recent biographies that he had said that he did not want to leave New York for any other team, but would consider playing for the Giants.

DODGER DEB

04-15-2006, 08:54 AM

Let's be fair--I read in one of Jackie's more recent biographies that he had said that he did not want to leave New York for any other team, but would consider playing for the Giants.

Do not believe everything you read, Flatbush Flock! While I am not questioning that you read this remark, my guess is that if the remark was attributed to him, it was part of a larger discussion and taken out of context.

OUR JACKIE would NEVER have played for the hated NY GIANTS!

c.

Centreville82

04-15-2006, 11:15 AM

Happy Jackie day !

zman

04-15-2006, 01:28 PM

http://www.nytimes.com/specials/baseball/robinson-0416-firstday.2.jpg

http://www.huntauctions.com/liveimg25/553.jpg

(photos top nytimes, bottom huntauctions.com)

zman

04-15-2006, 01:32 PM

http://bss.sfsu.edu/tygiel/hist490/integration/Robinson/JR1stmlbatbatSN.jpg
( bss.sfsu.edu)

zman

04-15-2006, 01:38 PM

http://images.mastronet.com/images/Auction27/photographs/30846-067.jpg
(mastronet.com)

zman

04-15-2006, 02:17 PM

http://www.walteromalley.com/images/hist_hof/hof_robinson_1.jpg
(walteromalley.com)

http://www.gallerym.com/images/work/big/morse_ralph_jackie_robinson_steals_home_subway_ser ies_1955_L.jpg
(gallery.com)

http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Arena/5866/jr1.jpg
(geocities.com)

zman

04-15-2006, 02:58 PM

.................................................. .................................................. ....

DODGER DEB

04-15-2006, 04:06 PM

FANTASTIC SHOTS of OUR JACKIE, zman!

Keep them coming.

c.

zman

04-16-2006, 04:58 AM

http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/yhst-76393175387167_1877_2655393
(framingthegame.com)

zman

04-16-2006, 05:07 AM

http://www.artletics.com/images_db/product/regular/baseball_vp_robinson_2_pv.jpg
(artletics.com)

zman

04-16-2006, 05:12 AM

http://artletics.com/images/baseball_vp_robinson_at_bat_pv.jpg
(artletics.com)

zman

04-16-2006, 06:12 AM

http://historyimages.com/baseball/Jackie-Robinson-1947.gif
(historyimages.com)

zman

04-16-2006, 06:24 AM

http://www.umass.edu/pubaffs/jackie/firstgame.gif
(umass.edu)

zman

04-16-2006, 06:26 AM

http://www.projectview.org/BBHOFE25.jpg

http://www.umass.edu/pubaffs/jackie/cartoon.gif

http://members.aol.com/macsbug/images/thinkdifferent/robinson.jpg

(top projectview.org, middle umass.edu. bottom members@aol)

zman

04-16-2006, 06:42 AM

http://www.photonewyork.com/prod_images_blowup/3203410gyi.jpg
(photonewyork.com)

zman

04-16-2006, 07:02 AM

http://lancemannion.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/jackie_robinson.jpg

http://www.msnusers.com/gfndkpvo7j6bchb8q4ajip3eu6/Documents/Pictures%2FJRB%5F12%5Fjpg.jpg

http://www.msnusers.com/gfndkpvo7j6bchb8q4ajip3eu6/Documents/Pictures%2F3206166gyi1.jpg

(top lancemannion.typepad.com middle lfc.lib.edu bottom Msnusers.com)

Brownie31

04-16-2006, 07:07 AM

http://brooklynpubliclibrary.org/slideshows/dodgers/lg_img/DODG_0014.jpg
(brooklyn publiclibrary)

zman: Is that Steve Allen seated next to Mrs. Robinson? Brownie31

zman

04-16-2006, 07:48 AM

I don't believe so, but I could be wrong, Brownie. Does anybody know who it is?

zman

04-16-2006, 07:50 AM

http://www.printsandphotos.com/Merchant2/images/fullsize/6/6502.jpg

http://artletics.com/images/baseball_vp_robinson_at_bat_back_pv.jpg
(artletics.com)

zman

04-16-2006, 07:53 AM

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/centurys_best/galleries/top20/jrobinson/robinson_md.jpg
(sportsillustrated.cnn.com)

DODGER DEB

04-16-2006, 09:34 AM

Here is the ESPN account of several of yesterday's celebrations of OUR JACKIE.....

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2409964

WE will always be so proud that HE was OURS!

c.

zman

04-16-2006, 10:12 AM

http://www.msnusers.com/gfndkpvo7j6bchb8q4ajip3eu6/Documents/Pictures%2Fjackie7%20FIELDING.jpg
(The Sporting News)

zman

04-16-2006, 10:28 AM

http://www.msnusers.com/gfndkpvo7j6bchb8q4ajip3eu6/Documents/Pictures%2FJJJJJJJ.jpg
(thesportingnews.com)

zman

04-17-2006, 04:52 AM

Here is the ESPN account of several of yesterday's celebrations of OUR JACKIE.....

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2409964

WE will always be so proud that HE was OURS!

c.
Nice photo of Rachel in that article. Good to see her looking so well. In fact she looks great.

zman

04-17-2006, 06:26 AM

http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/jackie/jackie8.jpg
(thesportingnews.com)

Brownie31

04-18-2006, 07:14 AM

Please check out this editorial in today's New York Post:

http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/editorial/67157.htm

Brownie31

DODGER DEB

04-18-2006, 08:10 AM

Please check out this editorial in today's New York Post:

http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/editorial/67157.htm

Brownie31

What an absolutely wonderful idea!

If only.....

c.

zman

04-18-2006, 02:25 PM

Thompson stressed how important it is "not to let children forget" about how Jim Crow prevailed "just a few decades ago" and about the "many sacrifices" made to overcome it. "A stadium named after Jackie Robinson allows people not to forget," he said.

Or, as Kansas City Monarchs superstar - and unofficial Negro Leagues ambassador - Buck O'Neil put it yesterday: "Jackie Robinson Stadium - that would be something. When they do build it, I've got to come."

I hope MLB and the city of New York recognize the lasting benefits of such a gesture and will seize the opportunity. Can you imagine standing within sight of Jackie Robinson Stadium and having someone ask you for an example of something that makes you feel proud to be an American?

http://www.boscovs.com/wcsstore/boscovs/images/store/product/images/185017474alp6194d.jpg
(boscovs.com)

zman

04-18-2006, 03:10 PM

Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born in 1919 in Cairo, Georgia. Robinson learned at an early age that life would be hard. When he was only a year old, his father deserted the family. Robinson's mother then packed up her family and moved to Pasadena, California where she found work as a maid.
http://www.msnusers.com/gfndkpvo7j6bchb8q4ajip3eu6/Documents/Pictures%2FJRB%5F1%5Fjpg.jpg
Jackie Robinson w/ family as a young boy (left to right), Mack, Jackie, Mallie, Edgar, Willie, Mae, and Frank.

(photo from lib.lfc.edu caption from thinkquest.org))

zman

04-18-2006, 04:21 PM

Jackie Robinson as UCLA track star
http://www.msnusers.com/gfndkpvo7j6bchb8q4ajip3eu6/Documents/Pictures%2FJRB%5F10%5Fjpg.jpg
(lib.lfc.edu)

zman

04-18-2006, 04:25 PM

Jackie playing ball in front of his mother's home, 133 Pepper Street, Pasadena, CA
http://www.lib.lfc.edu/collections/ebner/jrb/images/JRB_18_jpg.jpg
(lib.lfc.edu)

zman

04-18-2006, 04:39 PM

In 1940, Jackie Robinson ’42 became the first athlete at UCLA to letter in the same year in four sports: baseball, football, basketball and track. Ironically, baseball was the future Hall of Famer and National League MVP’s “worst” sport on campus.
http://www.msnusers.com/gfndkpvo7j6bchb8q4ajip3eu6/Documents/Pictures%2FBJackieRobinsonFootball.jpg
(photo and caption from uclahistoryproject.ucla.edu)

zman

04-18-2006, 05:53 PM

http://www.afro.com/history/Robinson/runwgun.gifhttp://www.afro.com/history/Robinson/armylet.gif
United States Army 1942-1944

(afro.com)

zman

04-18-2006, 06:05 PM

Jackie Robinson, Kansas City Monarchs 2nd baseman, with the great Satchel Paige, who anchored the
Monarchs' pitching staff until he was called to the American League in 1948.
http://www.msnusers.com/gfndkpvo7j6bchb8q4ajip3eu6/Documents/Pictures%2Frobpaigemon.jpg
(photo and caption umass.edu)

zman

04-19-2006, 01:36 AM

http://www.msnusers.com/gfndkpvo7j6bchb8q4ajip3eu6/Documents/Pictures%2FJRB%5F11%5Fjpg.jpg
(lib.lfc.edu)

zman

04-19-2006, 01:41 AM

It was obvious in spring training in 1946 that Jackie Robinson was ready to take a stance in the big leagues.

http://www.msnusers.com/gfndkpvo7j6bchb8q4ajip3eu6/Documents/Pictures%2Fjackie3.jpg
(photo and caption sportingnews.com)

zman

04-19-2006, 01:50 AM

http://www.msnusers.com/gfndkpvo7j6bchb8q4ajip3eu6/Documents/Pictures%2Fjackie4.jpg
(sportingnews.com)

zman

04-19-2006, 02:08 AM

http://espanol.geocities.com/bjarteaga2004/img/jackier.jpg
(espanolgeocities.com)

zman

04-19-2006, 02:22 AM

http://www.msnusers.com/gfndkpvo7j6bchb8q4ajip3eu6/Documents/Pictures%2F3231650gyi.jpg
(newyorkphoto.com)

zman

04-19-2006, 02:36 AM

http://www.lib.lfc.edu/collections/ebner/jrb/images/JRB_15_jpg.jpg
(lib.lfc.edu)

zman

04-19-2006, 02:52 AM

Not to stray here, but I can't stop thinking about Jackie's mom. I don't think Jackie's strength of character came out of nowhere and maybe the source was his mom. I think about the difficulties of a single mother raising 5 children and the strength of character she must have had. I think of lonely moments in the evening after a long hard day. She must have had worries about how she was going to provide for her children. She must have had worries about how to best raise them so that one day they could have a better deal. This post's for you, grandma. Rest in Peace and thank you.

Brownie31

04-19-2006, 11:09 AM

I went to the Mets' official MLB website (accessable from www.mlb.com) and sent them an email urging them to name their new stadium after Jackie Robinson.

Please follow suit-it may not work-but it will let them know there is a strong movement for it out there!

Brownie31

Brownie31

04-23-2006, 02:55 AM

According to a post in the Mets forum, Senator Charles Schumer has endorsed the idea of naming the new Mets stadium after Jackie Robinson. With the New York Post and now Senator Schumer on board the idea now has some powerful support!

Brownie31

Brownie31

04-23-2006, 07:28 AM

Newsday actually got the ball rolling on naming the stadium after Jackie Robinson.
Go to www.newsday.com click on opinion and type in jackie robinson in the search
space. It ran on April 10.

Newsday, the New York Post, Senator Schumer. The big guns of both journalism
and politics join the battle!

Brownie31

chashale

05-04-2007, 04:28 AM

Maybe you can help me out, RunningShoes. I attended a doubleheader at Ebbets Field in 1956 in which Jackie Robinson was ejected for arguing a third strike. I'm trying to figure out which game that was.
I know I was at the doubleheader against the Reds on June 24--I remember seeing Frank Robinson as a rookie--and I may have been at the Sept 3 doubleheader against the Pirates. The only other dates when the Dodgers played a doubleheader that I could have attended were 6/17, 7/01, 7/29 and 8/05.
Any idea? By the way, do you know how many times Jackie was ejected during his career?

EbtsFldGuy

05-05-2007, 09:53 AM