During my trek to Cooperstown two weeks ago, I found two photos of Jackie Robinson with the Montreal Royals that I hadn’t seen before (one above, one below).
Here’s also a short bio I wrote about Robinson for the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame website. (Robinson was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991):
Jackie Robinson
Prior to breaking Major League Baseball’s colour barrier in 1947, Jackie Robinson starred at second base for the Montreal Royals, a Brooklyn Dodgers farm team, in 1946. It’s widely believed that Dodgers GM Branch Rickey stationed Robinson in Montreal to ease his young prospect into integrated baseball. Playing his home games in a city with a reputation for racial tolerance provided Robinson with relative tranquility for half the schedule. On the field, Robinson excelled, leading the International League in batting average, walks and runs, and spurring the Royals to their first Junior World Series triumph.
When the Royals clinched the championship at Delorimier Stadium, the fans chanted Robinson’s name and hoisted him on their shoulders. Tears of jubilation spilled from the baseball pioneer’s eyes. He had endured a lot that season. Racism was palpable in International League cities like Syracuse and Baltimore, but the taunts had intensified in Louisville, the city Montreal opposed in the Junior World Series.
After the celebration appeared over, Robinson emerged from the clubhouse, only to have adoring fans chase him down the street, wanting to touch their hero one last time. The scene inspired Pittsburgh Courier correspondent Sam Maltin to write, “It was the first time that a white mob chased a black man down the street, not out of hate, but because of love.” Moved by the affection of Montrealers after the Junior World Series triumph, Robinson remarked, “This is the city for me. This is paradise.” These words have been immortalized on a statue of Robinson that still stands outside of Montreal’s Olympic Stadium.
Robinson was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 1962.
What a great moment in baseball history – Jackie in Montreal. Can’t wait until the Movie 42 comes out in April.
Thanks, Scott. I’m looking forward to the movie as well. In the preview, there is some footage of Robinson in a Royals uniform, so it will be interesting to see how much they focus on his season in Montreal.
Is the middle name a city in Ohio?
Jackie Robinson is the first person I remember who played baseball. I saw him play for the Montreal Royals in 1946 before moving to New York. I remember a field full of white players in white uniforms and one black player that stood out. I was 1-1/2 years old and carry that memory in my head to this day, now 73 years later. I remember 3 other things…the high glass entrance to the stadium, the cement seats with wood slats and my very first hot dog….that was the best part. hahaha.
Thanks for sharing your memories, Bob. They made me want to go back in time.