Friday, April 15, 2011

Happy Jackie Robinson Day

On this day, in 1947, Jack Roosevelt Robinson made his Major League debut, playing first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers, at Ebbetts Field in front of 26,623 fans, against the Boston Braves, breaking the color barrier in baseball.

Shortstop Dick Culler led off for the Braves by hitting a ground ball to third baseman Spider Jorgensen, who fielded it, and tossed it to Robinson at first base for an easy out. The crowd was enthusiastic, but tentative in its open support. 

It was the first out of an historic season that would end in a National League pennant for Brooklyn, and with Robinson winning baseball’s Rookie of the Year award.

...If You Ain't Got That Ring.