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1946 Jackie Robinson First Minor League Preseason Appearance Official Program
Presented is a fascinating, precious 1946 baseball program from Jackie Robinson's first preseason game appearance as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers organization - a program of immense historical significance since Robinson's March 17th appearance for the Brooklyn Dodgers' Montreal Royals farm team in an exhibition game against the Major League Dodgers was the first time an African American had played in a game in so-called "Organized Baseball" since the "Color Line" was instituted in 1887. In 1946, Robinson was in spring training for the Montreal Royals, one of the Dodgers' two top minor league teams, and the Royals trained in Daytona Beach, Florida. The game was at the City Island Ballpark in Daytona, and a crowd of over 4,000 fans attended. African American attendees were relegated to Jim Crow seating in the segregated ballpark, and hundreds of other African Americans comprised an overflow aggregation beyond the right field fence. African American fans enthusiastically cheered Robinson in his debut, and white fans were mostly supportive of Robinson, although Robinson did experience some mild booing from some white fans. Jackie started the game, playing second base. He batted sixth and played five innings in the field. Jackie successfully handled his only two fielding chances. Although he was 0-for-3 in his at-bats, he reached first base on a force play, stole second, and scored on a single to give the Royals one of the team's two runs on the day, as Brooklyn won 7-2. Robinson went on to play the entire 1946 season at Montreal, leading the International League in both batting average (.349) and runs scored (113). He also stole 40 bases. Robinson broke the Major League Color Barrier in 1947, as he became the Dodgers' first baseman and hit .298 to become the National League Rookie of the Year and help the Dodgers to the NL pennant. Later, Robinson made the Hall of Fame, but he was already affecting American history when he played against the Dodgers on March 17, 1946. The 8x10" thin, card stock program is four pages. The cover reads, "Official Program/Brooklyn and Montreal/Dodgers/Daytona Beach, Florida - 1946." The cover has a clever illustration of Dodgers manager Leo Durocher driving the Dodgers' trolley (as the Dodgers were formerly nicknamed "Trolley Dodgers"). The program includes rosters of the Brooklyn and Montreal teams and a scorecard (unscored). Some of the famous Dodgers on the Brooklyn roster on the program: Pee Wee Reese (HOF), Carl Furillo, Pete Reiser, Dixie Walker, Eddie Stanky, and Ralph Branca - in a typo listed as "Baranca." Reese and Branca became Robinson supporters in spring training of 1947 and Robinson seemed likely to make the Dodgers' regular season roster, but Walker, Stanky and others were said to have signed a petition at that time opposing Robinson's prospective playing on the Dodgers. Eventually, Walker and Stanky were traded, and Robinson continued on his path to the Hall of Fame. The program at one point was folded vertically down the center and a fold remains in that area. Overall, the program is in excellent condition. This program makes a powerful impact and adds historical value to any sports assemblage.
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