Branch Rickey raves about Roberto Clemente In today’s issue of The Sporting News

Branch Rickey raves about Roberto Clemente In today’s issue of The Sporting News

1957 – In today’s issue of The Sporting News, former Pittsburgh Pirates GM – and current Pirate batting instructor (at least while George Sisler recuperates from a recent operation), Branch Rickey, – raves about Roberto Clemente, who will be seen as Rickey’s most illustrious Pirate hire. The article features a classic example of bandwagon-jumping, coming in the wake of Clemente’s dramatically improved sophomore showing, as Rickey radically revises his initial, considerably more pessimistic prognosis made in January but which won’t be made public until years later. Moreover, he shamelessly inflates his own role in acquiring Clemente, in effect stealing the credit from his longtime subordinate, pitching coach Clyde Sukeforth, the man who actually discovered Clemente last year while on assignment from Rickey to scout demoted Dodger hurler Joe Black. Ironically, just as Rickey has jumped on the bandwagon, Clemente, thanks to an off-season back injury which has somehow escaped the “Mahatma”‘s omniscient eye, is about to embark on the worst season of his career.

Dale Long goes 4 for 4 with 2 homers and 3 RBI as Pittsburgh defeats Cincinnati, 5 – 2

Dale Long goes 4 for 4 with 2 homers and 3 RBI as Pittsburgh defeats Cincinnati, 5 – 2

On June 19, 1955 Dale Long goes 4 for 4 with 2 homers and 3 RBI as Pittsburgh defeats Cincinnati, 5 – 2. Long’s teammate, rookie Roberto Clemente, starts off the 1st and 3rd innings with singles and hits a two-run, 9th-inning home run off former Montreal teammate Joe Black. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IGp1c3QgY2xpY2sgdGhlIHRhZ3MhICAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsImxpbmtfdG9fdGVybV9wYWdlIjoib24iLCJzZXBhcmF0b3IiOiIgfCAiLCJjYXRlZ29yeV90eXBlIjoicG9zdF90YWcifX0=@

Montreal Royals outfielder Roberto Clemente is discovered by Pirates scout Clyde Sukeforth.

Montreal Royals outfielder Roberto Clemente is discovered by Pirates scout Clyde Sukeforth.

1954 – Montreal Royals outfielder Roberto Clemente is discovered by Pirates scout Clyde Sukeforth. Clemente is the Brooklyn Dodgers’ five-tool farmhand. Sukeforth is not primarily a scout but rather the Pirates’ pitching coach on special assignment in Richmond to scout newly-demoted Dodger hurler Joe Black. Unfortunately for the Dodgers, the first thing Sukeforth sees is Clemente. From this moment forward, despite Dodger GM Buzzie Bavasi’s desperate manoeuvering, his prize prospect is lost. As Sukeforth himself will later tell Les Biederman of The Sporting News: “I saw Clemente and forgot all about Black. I arrived at the Richmond ball park just in time to see the pre-game workout. I saw Clemente throwing from the outfield and I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Later in the game he was used as a pinch-hitter and I liked his swing. I started asking questions and learned he was a bonus player and would be eligible for the draft. Since the Pirates had first choice, I knew this would be our man. In fact, I told manager Max Macon to take good care of ‘our boy’ and see that he didn’t get hurt.”

Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Joe Black is voted National League Rookie of the Year

Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Joe Black is voted National League Rookie of the Year

1952 – Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Joe Black, who posted a 15-4 record with 85 strikeouts and a 2.15 ERA, is voted National League Rookie of the Year, receiving 19 of 24 first place votes. Hoyt Wilhelm, Dick Groat and Eddie Mathews also garner first-place votes.

Joe Black becomes the first African-American pitcher to win a World Series game

Joe Black becomes the first African-American pitcher to win a World Series game

On October 1, 1952, At Ebbets Field Joe Black becomes the first African-American pitcher to win a World Series game. The Brooklyn Dodgers’ right-hander scatters six hits and hurls a complete game in earning a 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees Jackie Robinson’s lead off home run in the second off of Allie Reynolds…