Jackie Robinson’s Debut: He Didn’t Have to Hit to Help the Dodgers

April 15, 1947

Acting manager Clyde Sukeforth will lead the Brooklyn Dodgers against Johnny Sain and the Boston Braves as the Dodgers open the season without suspended manager Leo Durocher.

A crowd of about 34,000 is expected to see the first of 22 games between the two teams predicted to give the defending World Champion Cardinals their greatest challenge. Brooklyn will send lefty Joe Hatten to the mound against Sain.

A highlight of the game will be the debut of 28-year-old rookie Jackie Robinson, who will play first base and bat second.

April 15, 1947: Late Afternoon

An opening day throng of 26,623 fans saw interim Brooklyn manager Clyde Sukeforth use 18 players as the Dodgers defeated the Boston Braves, 5-3. Jackie Robinson went hitless in three at-bats, but was credited with a sacrifice on his bunt. In the field, he handled 11 chances flawlessly.

April 16, 1947

Jackie Robinson’s debut yesterday was uneventful. His bunt in the seventh inning helped Brooklyn overcome Boston’s lead, but his dribbler through the box in the fifth inning was turned into a spectacular double play.

Robinson told reporters after the game that “I was nervous in the first play of my first game at Ebbets Field, but nothing has bothered me since.

Jackie Robinson did not get a hit in his first game as a Brooklyn Dodger. Of greater significance, he showed why he is a force to be reckoned with. In the seventh inning, his speed forced the opposition to make a key error that set up the winning run.

Robinson bunted in an attempt to move the potential game-tying run, in the person of Eddie Stanky, into scoring position. If Braves’ first sacker Earl Torgeson had thrown out Robinson instead of making a poor throw that hit Robinson’s forearm and ricocheted into right field, Brooklyn would have had a runner on second and one out.

Instead, Robinson was on second and Stanky was on third with no outs.

Great players win games in different ways. Jackie Robinson can beat the other team with his bat, with his arm, with his legs, and with his head.

 

References:

Daley, Arthur. Opening Day at Ebbets Field.” New York Times 16 April 1947: 32.

Effratt, Louis. “Chandler to Hurl for Harris’ Crew; 50,000 Fans Expected to See Right Hander in Inaugural Against the Mackmen; Hatten Choice of Brooks; Southpaw Slated as Rival of Boston’s John Sain; Giants Open in Philadelphia. New York Times 15 April 1947: 31.

McGowen, Roscoe. “Double by Reiser Beats Boston, 5-3; Dodger Star Bats in Two Runs, Scores One in Seventh Inning of Ebbets Field Opener.” New York Times 16 April 1947: 32.