On 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.
News Report of the game from 1947 . . .
The Brooklyn Dodgers clattered happily into the clubhouse after winning their opener and Jackie Robinson, seeking a secluded coner, took off his major league blouse slowly as if reluctant to part with it. It felt good, very good,” the first Negro to reach baseball’ big top said between the flashes of a piano key smile.
“But they really think fast up here.” Robinson, who played eight innings and the Dodgers beat the Boston Braves, 5 to 3, wasn’t too satisfied with his own hitless performance even though he scored the winning run on a double by Pete Reiser seventh inning. Hitting second, Robinson grounded out in the first and filed out to left, and hit into a double play in 5th.
Dick Culler starting the rely flat on his stomach! Then in the seventh, Eddie Stanky lead off with a walk and Robinson laid down a bunt along the first base line. Earl Torgenson hit Robinson on the arm trying to get him at first and Stanky went to third and Robinson to second on the error. Pete Reiser s double then scored Stanky the tying run and Robinson with the winning marker. .. But Robinson couldn’t get over at double play ball he hit, or the fact that he was out at first on such an intricate play. I must not have been hustling, he said in self-condemnation. In the International League I’d have been safe but up here you can’t ease up they think an awful lot faster.
“Your just getting old, Jackie,” one of the Dodgers teammates said. Robinson grinned. “Maybe so but I will have to keep hustling and hoping, to get my hits sooner later. Those bunts will drop right for me after a while.”
Wasn’t At All Nervous.
But Robinson wanted it made clear that he didn’t go hitless because of nervousness. I wasn’t at all excited or scared he said, protesting that he would wait until the shower room was clear before making his ablutions. “I was loose as could be. And I can’t honestly say that this wasn’t my biggest thrill in baseball. That came when I signed with Montreal
I would have liked a couple of hits. The wizened little clubhouse man halted in his bustling about and, taking a finger at Robinson, said’ You were looking at one of the best pitchers In the league in that Johnny Sain, Jackie.” If I wasn’t. I’m In for a rough season,” Robinson grinned. Reiser walked past at that moment and Robinson looked after him admiringly. . .
What, PIayer that man is, he said. “He is a real one.” Then, going back to his first major league game. Robinson insisted that nobody on the Braves had been riding” him. “If they did, I didnt hear it” he said- “As far as I’m concerned they cant ride me any more than they did when I played football at U. C. L. A. or in the International League. Most of the Dodgers were dressing by now and, as Robinson turned to head for the showers, his eye fell on a pile of congratulatory telegrams waiting for him. “Holy smoke,” he laughed, somebody certainly got excited about this.” Certainly, Jackie Robinson wasn’t.
