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Jackie Robinson

September 14, 2021152 Comments
Jackie Robinson
Photo by Bob Sandberg

May 13, 1947. Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America.

The Brooklyn Dodgers are the visiting team against the hometown Cincinnati Reds, set to square off in America’s pastime, the game of baseball.

The crowd is in a nasty mood. Playing in his first year for the Dodgers is Jackie Robinson, the first and, at that time, only African American to break baseball’s infamous color barrier.

As the Dodgers come onto the field they’re met with boos, hisses, and epithets so nasty I’ll not repeat them. I think anyone listening can fill in the gaps. Some fans even throw food and other things onto the field. 

Robinson, of course, receives the most abuse, but his teammates aren’t spared. Pee Wee Reese, captain of the team, and a southerner who grew up in nearby Louisville, Kentucky, is called a “traitor!” and “carpetbagger!” 

“Pee Wee, how can you play with that black bastard!?” someone shouts.

Robinson shuts it out. He’s used to it. That doesn’t mean he’s fine with it, but he made a promise to Branch Rickey, General Manager and President of the Dodgers, to turn the other cheek. He’s a man of his word, so he focuses on playing.

Pee Wee can’t shut it out. Finally, he decides he’s had enough. He walks across the infield to Robinson. They exchange some words, the specifics of which have been lost to time.

Then Pee Wee pointedly puts his arm around Jackie’s shoulders. The crowd falls silent, shocked or moved. It’s an early silence for a major league baseball stadium. The embrace lingers long enough for everyone to understand the message being conveyed. This is my teammate, it seems to say. Then Pee Wee runs back to his place and the game continues.

Jackie Robinson had won over his teammates, and soon he would win over America. But it was a long road getting there.

. . .

For the rest of the story, check out the podcast, linked above and available on all major podcasting platforms.

If you like this type of story, then you’ll like my book, History Stories for Everyone, a compilation of my favorite history stories brought together in one volume and available in ebook or paperback. Check out:

Last updated on September 14, 2021

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