Results tagged ‘ Jackie Robinson ’
Whom did Jackie Robinson replace when he broke the Major League color barrier with the Dodgers?
Whom did Jackie Robinson replace when he broke the Major League color barrier with the Dodgers?
?
Ed Stevens, a left-handed batter, and the right-handed Howie Schultz
From the New York Times:
Ed Stevens played first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1946, hitting 10 home runs and driving in 60 runs, and he came to spring training the following year expecting to be one of the key figures in the lineup.
“I had no animosity toward Jackie,” Stevens wrote in his memoir, “The Other Side of the Jackie Robinson Story” (2009). “Branch Rickey was my object of anger.
Howie Schultz, the other Dodger first baseman supplanted by Robinson, was 6 feet 6 inches. He later played on N.B.A. championship teams with the Minneapolis Lakers. He died in 2009.
Ed Stevens passed away Sunday July 22 in Houston at the age of 87. Rest in peace Ed Stevens
Dodgers are home after a 7-3 road trip! Great job guys!
The Matchups against Kirk Gibson’s Diamond Backs:
Monday: 7/30 7:10 PM PT
AZ: Kahill (8-9 3.86) LAD: Harang (7-5 3.39)
Tuesday: 7/31 7:10 PM PT Kirk Gibson Bobblehead
Az: Miley (11-6 3.11) LAD: Capuano (10-6 3.13)
Wednesday 8/1 A Business Day special at 12:10 PM PT
AZ: Collmenter (3-2 4.13) LAD: Fife (0-0 1.46)
Ref: New York Times, http:www.Examiner.com
Jim Gilliam and the number 19
In the MLB fan blogs, my blog came in at
I dedicate it to Jim Gilliam.
Jim Gilliam made his major league debut in 1953.
Quoting Jim Murray: They broke him in easy. All he had to do the first year was replace Jackie Robinson.
He proved capable, batting .278 with a team-leading 125 runs for the NL champions. His 17 triples led the NL, and remain the most by a Dodger since 1920; he was second in the league (behind Stan Musial) with 100 walks, and third in the NL with 21 stolen bases.
For his excellent season he earned NL Rookie of the Year honors, as well as The Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award.
Gilliam played his entire 14 year career (1953 -1966) in a Dodger uniform
Junior was part of the first all switch hitting infield in Major League history, with Maury Wills, Wes Parker, and Jim Lefebvre.
Gilliam hit behind Maury Wills when he launched the modern stolen base era with 104 in 1962. He was the ultimate team player sacrificing himself for the good of the team.
Gilliam taught Jim Lefebvre how to bat behind a base stealer, as Lefebvre did behind Lou Brock in 1974, when he stole 118
Gilliam contributed to four World Series clubs and seven pennant winners.
His glove is on display in Cooperstown.
The Dodgers used him at every position in the field except for pitcher and catcher.
In 1965 he was replaced at third base and became a first base coach but after injuries and dismal hitting average at third, the Dodgers activated Gilliam who went on to contribute with his hitting.
Jim Gilliam passed away prior to the start of the 1978 World Series at which time his number was retired and the Dodgers wore a commemorative patch on their sleeve in his honor.
Los Angeles Times sports columnist Jim Murray penned a tribute for Gilliam, the versatile non-star. His effort to describe Jim’s end began with these words:
“I guess my all-time favorite athlete was Jim Gilliam. He always thought he was lucky to be a Dodger. I thought it was the other way around.”
I love reading old columns from Jim Murray.
In Colorado: Dodgers stop the losing streak by winning 6-2!
ref: SABR, Jim Murray’s columns, Truebluela, pics from Sport Illustrated & google
Happy Jackie Robinson Day! Dodgers 8-1 to start 2012. Vin Scully is back Today!!
Happy Jackie Robinson Day everyone! Heading to Dodger Stadium soon. Dodgers are 8-1 to start the 2012 season and I have not missed a game! Dodgers are going on the road next (no, I am not going) to Milwaukee and Houston.
Here is a Jackie Robinson picture when he was at Pasadena Junior College late 1930′s.
And here is another one from Pasadena Junior College
Jackie Robinson at Pasadena City College
Jackie Robinson at UCLA
Extra special day as Vin Scully is due to go back to Dodger Stadium! Welcome back Vin!!
Vin Scully& Crzblue
Quick post as I am heading to the Ravine where the Dodgers are going for the
Dodgers going for the sweep.
Love the Dodgers are now letting season ticket holders into the stadium earlier than the rest of the fans just like in some other stadiums.
This is what you see as my footer when you receive an email from me
A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” – Jack Roosevelt Robinson.
Magic Johnson, Dodgers, Vin Scully, Sandy Koufax, & Jackie Robinson Legacy
The LA Times Sport section has an article this morning titled “Icon to Icon” by Steve Dilbeck. This brought a smile to my face knowing that Magic Johnson reached out to Vin Scully. Quoting article “It was interesting,” Scully said. “When the phone rang and I picked it up, I recognized that voice. And, as I told him “If it’s possible, I can hear your smile.” Johnson tweeted on Thursday “Last night I reached out to Vin Scully & acted like an excited little kid speaking to the LA Icon.”
Future team president Stan Kasten also called Vin Scully. The next day Magic also tweeted this “Just spoke to legend & HOF Sandy Koufax. Thank you so mch fo taking the time to share some of your vast baseball knowledge.” IF I was part of a team buying the Dodgers, those two would have been on my list to call.
Look at this cake that Magic Johnson posted on hisWhoSay page on thursday 3/29/2012 saying “Thank you to AEG, Staples Center & the Lakers for this incredible Dodgers cake they made for me,” 
More good news as reported by Bill Shaikin of the LA Times:
Johnson has reached out to Rachel Robinson, the widow of Jackie Robinson. He has invited her to take an active role with the Dodgers’ new ownership group, a person familiar with the discussions said Friday. The details of how Rachel Robinson — and the Jackie Robinson Foundation — would be involved with the Dodgers remain under discussion, the person said.
This is a quick post as I am getting ready to go to Ventura. I am meeting with friends for a Girls night out. We are staying Saturday night and coming back Sunday. These are some of my non-baseball friends, well with one of them I used to have a Dodger mini package in the field level for two years. In fact, after we stopped having the mini package and I started having season tickets, I would always invite her for Opening Day. Last two years she has not been able to to go. Anyway, they are understanding that once baseball starts I am not available. I tell them “look at a Dodger schedule to see if I am available” Even then, I might be on a road trip. The last time they invited me to a get together for “Poker night” back in January, it happened to be the Saturday for “National SABR Day” Looking forward to this trip and then get ready for the road trip to San Diego for the four game series!
Nomar Garciaparra (5) days till Dodgers Opening Day in San Diego!
Ron Cey(10) days till Opening Day at Dodger Stadium!
Happy Birthday Jackie Robinson!
Today is Jackie Robinson’s birthday!
Here is my post two years ago on Jackie Robinson’s birthday:
http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/2010/01/30/happy-birthday-jackie-robinson-2/
Happy Birthday Jackie!
Read about the new Jackie Robinson movie in the works
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110601&content_id=19885520&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvsSxxPoAHU&feature=player_embedded
Jackie Robinson Day
Today we honor Jackie Robinson! This is a day I always look forward to attending at Dodger Stadium. I am proudly wearing my Jackie Robinson jersey at work and aftewards I will head out to Dodger Stadium to honor Jackie!
Thank you Jackie! Your breakthrough had an effect not just on baseball but you paved the way for a change in American society.
At the bottom of my work emails, you always get:
“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives. -Jackie Robinson”
Today in honor of Jackie Robinson, make your life important by having a positive impact on the life of someone else.
I would like to see Tax Day moved from April 15th to the following day so that we can only associate April 15th with Jackie Robinson.
I am running a report on new hires at work. How appropriate that I am getting 42 new hires! Happy #42 Jackie Robinson Day!
I Love Andre (We Love Him)
My friend Erik is hosting my blog again! I love the post! I love Andre!
Take it away Erik!
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I was watching a rerun of Inning 5 of Ken Burns’ great documentary, Baseball, and I started wondering where the days went when baseball players would have song written about them? Think about it, that’s not done anymore.
Those are some great songs about some great players. Some include Less Brown’s song “Joltin’ Joe”, and perhaps the best of all, “Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball ” by Buddy Johnson and Count Basie. It reminded me that I wrote (or modified) a song about my favorite player, Andre Ethier. It was penned during the fervor surrounding his home run-hitting prowess early last season. Yeah, I know, he didn’t keep it up, but, G-d willing, I have faith that he’ll get things back on track this season. At which point we’ll all be signing the song I offer. Well, maybe not you, but I’ll be belting it out, and I bet Crzblue will be right there with me. Here it is, sing along, you’ll recognize the tune.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBOQiMxwk1o&feature=related
I Love Andre (We Love Him)
Runnin’ down the 3rd base line
Big nasty homer out the right field side
Maggie Ethier looking hot in the Lodge
She is full of pride
Mow down the pitcher, put da Blue on top.
Crank up Vin Scully, baby
Don’t let the hitting stop
We’re gonna cheer him ’til we just can’t cheer him no more
From the Top Deck to the Pavilion
From the Stadium Club to the Dugout Club,
Everybody’s very happy
‘Cause the man is hitting all the time
Looks like another homer’s on the way
I love Andre (We love him)
I love Andre (We love him)
Look at that homer
Look at those doubles
Look at that catch out there, man
He’s down on his knees.
Look at those walk-offs
There ain’t nothin’ like ‘em nowhere.
St. Mary’s High School (We love him)
Chandler-Gilbert College (We love him)
Arizona State University (We love him)
Dodgertown (We love him, we love him)
We love him!
We love him!
We love Andre!
By Erik C.D. Belmal,
Adapted from Randy Newman. “I Love L.A. (We Love it).” 1983.
So, there! Trust me, I know it doesn’t come close to the genius of the other songs I mentioned, but I hope you recognize the same spirit…the spirit of devotion to a player, and a game.
Thanks again for the opportunity to post Crzblue.
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Thank you Erik!
Happy Birthday Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson would have been 92 today. I posted this a year ago today It has some pictures that I took around including some from a library.
http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/01/happy_birthday_jackie_robinson.html
The end of the article from the Times magazine from1947 that I took a picture of is hard to read so here it is:
“After Slaughter did his spiking a month ago, a group of Brooklyn players came to Jackie and said “If they give you the works, give it back to them–and the team will be behind you 100%.” That was the day Jack Roosevelt Robinson won his long patient battle”
Happy Birthday Jackie!
Building Dreams, Friends and Memories
“Building Dreams, Friends and Memories” is the theme of the Rose Parade for 2011.
Congratulations to CPompe1 (Carol) for knowing that trivia in my prior post: What do Gregory Peck, Lorne Greene, Arnold Palmer, Dr. William H. Pickering, E.L. Bob Barlett and Earl Warren have in common?
They all served as GMs (Grand Marshals) of the Rose Parade. The years in order of names above: 1988, 1981, 1965, 1963, 1959 and 1955. Those are the years the Dodgers won the World Series.
Paula Deen was named the Grand Marshal for 2011 ya’ll I wonder if she was the first choice.
From the www.examiner.com:
Peck wasn’t the first choice, but he was a terrific one. The first choice that year, was Walter Cronkite. Perfect, but Cronkite had a previous engagement. The second, unnamed choice, bowed out at the last minute, just the before the programs went to press.
Despite being third in line, Peck was one of the most enthusiastic Grand Marshals ever. He had been attending Rose Parades with his father since he was a boy, and was thrilled to be riding along Colorado Blvd. in a vintage car. He pulled some strings and got on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, the first Grand Marshal to appear in that bastion of late-night celebrities.
Baseball players as GMs:
1999 Jackie Robinson (posthumously)
1975 Henry L. “Hank” Aaron.
Anyone seen the add on the internet for the ’67 Rose parade hosted by Vin Scully with Elizabeth Montgomery from Bewitched?
For a list of other Rose Parade grand marshals go to http://www.tournamentofroses.com/the-rose-parade/history/grand-marshals
Here is to building dreams, friendship and memories!
Happy Jackie Robinson Day
Jackie Robinson is too big for any one city or state to claim. He was born in the South, trained in the Arm Forces in the Southwest, played a year in the Negro League in the Midwest, and his big League home was Brooklyn. But he grew up in Pasadena, California. Here is a picture when he was on the Pasadena Junior College Bulldogs team.
Jackie exceeded in all sports. Here he is playing baskeball for the Pasadena Junior College.
At UCLA
Jackie and Rachel at an UCLA Homecoming in 1951.
Happy Jackie Robinson Day everyone! I am heading to the stadium in my Jackie Robinson jersey and my Brooklyn Dodger hat. Still sleepy from getting home at 2:30 this morning after that loooong game last night. Hopefully Kuroda-san and the players will play well for Jackie!
A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” – Jack Roosevelt Robinson.
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