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Jackie Robinson's baseball debut in 1946... Quite historic...
Jackie Robinson's baseball debut in 1946... Quite historic...
Item # 719123
April 19, 1946
THE NEW YORK TIMES, April 19, 1946.
* Jackie Robinson's baseball debut (1st report)
* First African American player in MLB
* "Handshake of the Century" photo
The sport's section (page 22) has one column headings: "MONTREAL WINNER AS ROBINSON STARS" "Negro Infielder Gets 4 Hits, One a 3-Run Homer, in 14-1 Rout of Jersey City" "25,000 Witness Opener" and more with related photo. (see) First report coverage on Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier. A historic report within baseball, Black Americana, and overall national interest circles.
Forty-six pages, one cutout on a unrelated inside page, light toning and very minor wear at the margins, generally in very nice condition.
background: On April 18, 1946, Jackie Robinson took a historic step toward integrating professional baseball by making his debut with the Montreal Royals, the top minor league affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers, in a game against the Jersey City Giants at Roosevelt Stadium. In front of a crowd of over 50,000 spectators, Robinson delivered a stunning performance that silenced doubters and electrified fans: he went 4-for-5 at the plate, hit a three-run homer, scored four runs, drove in three, and stole two bases. This game marked the first time in the 20th century that a Black player participated in a game within "organized" baseball—a system of leagues affiliated with Major League Baseball—since the color line had been established decades earlier. Robinson’s poise, athleticism, and quiet strength under immense pressure symbolized a new era not only for the sport but also for the broader civil rights movement. His debut in Jersey City was more than just a game; it was a resounding statement that change was not only possible—it had arrived.
Category: The 20th Century
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