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April 15
Jackie Robinson debuts April 15
Jackie Robinson’s Historic 1947 Season: Breaking Barriers and Making History
The 1947 baseball season marked a turning point in American sports and society, as Jackie Robinson took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers, breaking Major League Baseball’s longstanding color barrier. After an outstanding 1946 season with the Montreal Royals, Robinson’s talent was undeniable. He led the International League in batting average and runs scored, while also excelling defensively as a second baseman. His performance silenced those who doubted a Black player’s ability to compete at the highest level.
A Swift Ascent to the Majors
Robinson’s promotion to the Dodgers happened quickly. Between April 10 and April 15, he transitioned from the Montreal Royals to the Brooklyn Dodgers. On April 15, 1947, Robinson made his historic major league debut at Ebbets Field. While he didn’t record a hit in his first game, his seventh-inning bunt hinted at the aggressive and strategic playstyle that would define his career. Two days later, he secured his first major league hit, and by April 18, he had already hit his first home run against the New York Giants.
Facing Adversity with Strength
Despite his undeniable talent, Robinson faced relentless racism from opposing teams, fans, and even some of his own teammates. The most infamous incident came in late April, when the Philadelphia Phillies, led by manager Ben Chapman, subjected Robinson to relentless verbal abuse. Robinson later admitted this was the most challenging game of his rookie season. However, the public backlash against the Phillies helped shift opinion in Robinson’s favor, increasing his support from both fans and the media.
Opposition continued throughout the season. One of the most notorious moments came on August 20, when Enos Slaughter of the St. Louis Cardinals deliberately spiked Robinson in the leg. Despite these challenges, Robinson remained focused, showcasing both his athleticism and mental toughness.
Spring Training in Havana: Preparing for Change
Brooklyn Dodgers executive Branch Rickey anticipated the racial tensions Robinson would face. To ease his transition, Rickey decided to hold the team’s 1947 spring training in Havana, Cuba, rather than the racially segregated South. While Robinson and other Black players—Roy Campanella, Don Newcombe, and Roy Partlow—were housed separately from their white teammates, the move still helped mitigate some of the discrimination he would have otherwise faced in the United States.
Despite efforts to create a smoother integration, some white players on the Dodgers, led by Dixie Walker, attempted to organize a petition to keep Robinson off the team. Manager Leo Durocher quickly shut down the rebellion, making it clear that Robinson would be part of the Dodgers. “If you don’t like it, you can leave,” Durocher reportedly told his players.
A Rookie Season for the Ages
Robinson’s play spoke louder than the hate he endured. He led the National League in stolen bases and finished second in runs scored, proving he belonged at the highest level. His performance earned him the first-ever Rookie of the Year award and a fifth-place finish in MVP voting.
Even some former critics, like his teammate Dixie Walker, acknowledged Robinson’s greatness by season’s end. “Robinson is everything that Branch Rickey said he was when he came up from Montreal,” Walker admitted.
A Legacy Beyond Baseball
Jackie Robinson’s debut on April 15, 1947, was more than just a baseball milestone; it was a pivotal moment in American history. His courage and talent not only changed the game but also contributed to the early momentum of the Civil Rights Movement. His journey through adversity and triumph set the stage for the generations of Black athletes who followed, proving that ability, not race, should determine who gets to play the game.
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Game of the day - Game 6 1956 World Series - A World Series Classic, New York Yankees vs Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie Robinson in his final MLB at bat delivers history for the bums.
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Games of the day:
Trivia:
Who was the first player to win the Rookie of the year and the MVP?
Hint: The answer is below
April 15, 1947 -- 28-year-old Jackie Robinson makes a historic debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers, becoming the first African-American to play major league baseball in the 20th century. Robinson goes 0 for 3 in his debut, but scores the deciding run in a 5 - 3 victory over the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field. He handles 11 chances at first base, a new position for him. Coach Clyde Sukeforth, interim manager and the man credited with first scouting Robinson, guides the Dodgers to two victories before stepping down. Robinson is the first black player to appear in the majors since 1884.
April 15, 1954 -- After a 51-year absence, big league ball returns to Baltimore as a crowd of 46,354 watch the Orioles beat the White Sox, 3 - 1, in the first game played at Memorial Stadium. Clint Courtney of the Orioles hits the first major league home run in the ballpark. A Baltimore ownership group, which includes Clarence Mills, Jim Keelty, Jerry Hoffberger and Zanvyl Krieger, bought the former St. Louis Browns and brought the franchise to the Charm City. Bob Turley started and got the win for the Orioles over Virgil Trucks. Vern Stephens and Eddie Waitkus were the hitting stars. Waitkus is 4 years removed from being shot in in a scene out of the Natural.
April 15, 1958, the San Francisco Giants host the first West Coast game in major league history. The Giants defeat the rival Los Angeles Dodgers in front of 23,448 fans at Seals Stadium sees Ruben Gómez blanking Los Angeles and Don Drysdale. Orlando Cepeda and Daryl Spencer hit home runs in the Giants’ 8-0 win
April 15 , 1968 -- At the Astrodome, the New York Mets and Houston Astros play the longest game in National League history. The six-hour and six-minute contest, in which each team has 79 at-bats and 11 hits, ends in the 24th inning when Bob Aspromonte's grounder goes through the legs of shortstop Al Weis as the Astros win, 1 - 0, allowing Norm Miller to cross the plate. Both catchers, Jerry Grote and Hal King caught the entire game. It sets the mark as the longest NL game played to completion, the longest major league night game, and the first 23 innings are the longest major league scoreless game. The game ties the American League's longest complete game (Philadelphia Athletics 4, Boston Americans 1, in 24 innings on September 1, 1906).
April 15, 1972, Reggie Jackson of the Oakland A’s becomes the first athletic to sport a mustache since Wally Schang of the Philadelphia A's in 1914 and Jackson is the first major league player with facial hair since Frenchy Bordagaray in 1936. Jackson starts a trend with the A’s, as owner Charlie Finley eventually encourages all of his players to grow mustaches. By the end of the season, the World Champion A’s will become known as the “Mustache Gang.”
April 15, 1977, Hank Aaron becomes the first player to have his uniform number retired by two teams. The Atlanta Braves retire his No. 44 during a pre-game ceremony. The Milwaukee Brewers had previously retired Aaron’s number.
April 15, 1997, commissioner Bud Selig announces that Major League Baseball will retire uniform #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson. The decision comes on the 50th anniversary of Robinson's historic debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Players who are currently wearing the number are allowed to continue to do so until they retire. Then April 15, 2007, on the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's debut, the entire Dodger team wears uniform #42 in his honor.
April 15, 1993 -- Sparky Anderson earns his 2,000th victory as a manager as the Detroit Tigers rally to beat the Oakland Athletics, 3 - 2.
Quote of the day:
“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”
Jackie Robinson
MILESTONES
Birthday Boys!
Bob Garibaldi, Bobby Locke, Bud Soushock, Don Dennis, Jack DiLauro, Jesse Jefferson, Paul Schaal and Wee Willie Keller
Debuts!
92 Players made there debut. Jackie Robinson, Al Simmons, Bob Gibson, Eddie Mathews and Ernie Lombardi are a few notables.
Final Games
Bud Souchock, Duffy Deyer, Joe Ginsberg and Sam Jethrow
Passings.
Bill Sarni, Bobo Osbourne, Mickey Harris, Reno Bertoia, Ripper Collins and Whitey Herzog
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Trivia Answer: in 1947 Jackie Robinson won the first rookie of the year and 2 seasons later in 1949 he won the MVP Award, thus making him the first to obtain both awards.
