April 15th, 2012 marks the 65th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the colour barrier and making his Major League Baseball debut. All players of MLB teams will honour Robinson by wearing #42. Here in Montreal, the occasion (for who are aware of it) will be bittersweet. Yes, as Montrealers, we should feel proud that our city was the host of Mr. Robinson and his family in 1946 ; however, it is sad that we are not part of the league-wide tribute. Come to think about it, I'm unaware of any tribute that the city has if any regarding the former Montreal Royal.
Without any form of professional baseball in Montreal to honour the date, I have collected a few references on social media sites and other sources to acknowledge Robinson's link to baseball in Montreal. It is my own way to show that hardcore baseball fans will always honour #42.
Jackie Robinson's stats as a Montreal Royal
On April 11, 1947, the following words appeared in The Montreal Gazette
"Jackie Robinson, brilliant Negro infielder, today became the first of his race to break into modern major league baseball when President Branch Rickey of Brooklyn Dodgers announced the purchase of his contract from Montreal Royals of the International league." (Source; The Montreal Gazette)
(Source: Flickr)
View a clip from Jackie Robinson | Historica - Dominion trailer.
A commentary regarding Jackie Robinson and family stay in Montreal from ESPN's John Saunders.
This is the statue that stands in front of Olympic Stadium in Montreal of Jackie Robinson.
In February 2011, U.S. diplomats unveil a commemorative plaque at the apartment the couple called home in the summer of 1946.
In 1946, after the International League championship 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." (Source: Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)
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great remember when!!
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