The U.S. government places a plaque at Jackie Robinson’s former apartment in Montreal

The U.S. government places a plaque at Jackie Robinson’s former apartment in Montreal

The U.S. government places a plaque at Jackie Robinson’s former apartment in Montreal as a tribute to the Canadian city for their exemplary treatment of the future Hall of Fame infielder. The season before he broke the color barrier, the Dodger farmhand led the hometown Royals to the 1946 International League championship with a .349 batting average and earned the circuit’s Most Valuable Player for his outstanding performance with the team.

Brooklyn Dodgers option left-handed pitcher Tommy Lasorda to the Montreal Royals to make room for Sandy Koufax

Brooklyn Dodgers option left-handed pitcher Tommy Lasorda to the Montreal Royals to make room for Sandy Koufax

1955 – The Los Angeles Dodgers option left-handed pitcher Tommy Lasorda to the Montreal Royals to make room on their roster for “bonus baby” Sandy Koufax, who had been on the disabled list.

Montreal Royals rookie outfielder Roberto Clemente hits his first North American home run “Hollywood style”

Montreal Royals rookie outfielder Roberto Clemente hits his first North American home run “Hollywood style”

Montreal Royals rookie outfielder Roberto Clemente hits his first North American home run “Hollywood style” (as per Montreal sportswriter Lloyd McGowan, who also highlights the prodigious nature of this blast, launched “over the left field fence,” a feat “[f]ew players have achieved […] at Delorimier Stadium”). The 10th-inning, walk-off bomb off Havana reliever Bubba Harris guarantees Montreal at least a split of today’s twin bill; it also represents a distinct turning point in Clemente’s frustrating, increasingly bench-warming tenure with Brooklyn’s International League affiliate. It comes on Clemente’s first at-bat after having entered the game as a defensive replacement, and his first plate appearance in more than two weeks; in fact, prior to today’s action, Clemente had not played at all in 14 of the last 15 games, his sole appearance coming as a pinch-runner. From this point forward, he will be back in the starting lineup but strictly on a platoon basis: he will start every remaining game against southpaw starters and none against righties, raising his average from .207 at the start of today’s action to .257 by season’s end. In today’s nightcap, Clemente makes his first start since July 7th, helping Montreal secure a sweep with an RBI double.

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.”

1954 Montreal Royals – Roberto Clemente

1954 Montreal Royals – Roberto Clemente

1954 Montreal Royals Roberto Clémente Chico Fernandez Clyde McNeil @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IC0gLSAtIC0gLSAtIC0gIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Play by Play, Box Scores, News Paper Reports and other links Other Resources & Links Baseball-Reference Box Score 

Chuck Connors makes his regular season debut with the Montreal Royals

Chuck Connors makes his regular season debut with the Montreal Royals

On April 23, 1948, Chuck Connors makes his regular season debut with the Montreal Royals in their season opener in Newark it was less than glorious: he committed three errors and did not get any hits. Ultimately, he struck out in his professional sports career and shifted to acting. Westerns like Gunsmoke and Wagon Train…

Jackie Robinson in Cuba 1947

Jackie Robinson in Cuba 1947

    Jackie Robinson looks over a roster of the Brooklyn Dodgers in Havana, Cuba, where he was training with the Montreal Royals, a Dodgers farm club, Feb. 28, 1947. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IC0gLSAtIC0gLSAtIC0gIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Other Resources & Links   [et_pb_signup provider=”getresponse” getresponse_list=”Thomas Hannon|zs45L” success_action=”redirect” success_redirect_url=”https://thisdayinbaseball.com/join-the-community/” success_redirect_query=”on|off|off|off|off” title=”Baseball history from Doubleday to Present Day” button_text=”Join us!” description=” This Day…