Today marks the 61st anniversary of Jackie Robinson getting the call to the major leagues. On this date in 1947, the Brooklyn Dodgers called him up from their Triple-A affiliate, the Montreal Royals. He would debut five days later against the Boston Braves. Despite being subjected to continued harrassment by fans and players, even those on his own team, throughout the season, Robinson perservered and went on to be the NL Rookie of the Year. Credit is due to the Dodgers organization, the then commissioner (Happy Chandler), and NL president (Ford Frick) for standing up to the overwhelming prejudice of the day and helping to soften the rigid racial divide that had its grasp on the United States since its inception. It is worth noting that baseball was ahead of the curve when it came to integration, as the United States military would not be integrated by President Truman until 1948.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
61 Years Ago Today...
Today marks the 61st anniversary of Jackie Robinson getting the call to the major leagues. On this date in 1947, the Brooklyn Dodgers called him up from their Triple-A affiliate, the Montreal Royals. He would debut five days later against the Boston Braves. Despite being subjected to continued harrassment by fans and players, even those on his own team, throughout the season, Robinson perservered and went on to be the NL Rookie of the Year. Credit is due to the Dodgers organization, the then commissioner (Happy Chandler), and NL president (Ford Frick) for standing up to the overwhelming prejudice of the day and helping to soften the rigid racial divide that had its grasp on the United States since its inception. It is worth noting that baseball was ahead of the curve when it came to integration, as the United States military would not be integrated by President Truman until 1948.
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4 comments:
Wahoo! To the Dodgers!
Even bigger cheers for Robinson!
The anniversary is actually the 15th, but your sentiment is dead on. My favorite player of all time.
Actually, if you notice, I said his debut was on the 15th of April ("he would debut five days later"). Yesterday marked the day they called him up from Montreal, as written. The picture is from April 10, 1947, his first trip into the clubhouse. I will wait for your retraction.
I should have read more carefully. I'm embarrassed. he he
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