this photo dozens of times. Who are the
subjects and what were the circumstances?
It’s September 28, 1955 and Game 1 of the World Series in New York’s Yankee Stadium. The Brooklyn Dodgers trail the Yankees, 6-4, in the top of the 8th inning. Jackie Robinson, who’d reached on an error, finds himself on third base with two outs and a two ball, two strike count on pinch-hitter Frank Kellert. Suddenly, Robinson breaks for home and steals a fifth run for the Dodgers. An incensed Yankees’ catcher Yogi Berra was incredulous and even, years later, insisted Robinson was out.
It’s one of the the 20th Century’s iconic video images and Sports Illustrated photographer Mark Kauffman captured a still image of the moment just before Robinson’s right toe slid over the plate before Berra’s tag.
It turned out not to matter as the Yankees held on for a 6-5 victory.
Interestingly, it was probably the 36-year-old Robinson’s most memorable contribution of the Series (which Brooklyn wound up winning in seven games). He batted just .182, scored five runs, and had only two extra base hits (and the one steal) over six games and didn’t play in the decisive Game 7.
Just to review, The Fan Teaser was the creation of former Ann Arbor News Sports Editor Geoff Larcom. Longtime friend and fellow Ann Arbor News alum, Pat Schutte, took it to heights previously unknown. We aim to keep it alive here at The Sports Fan Project. The cropped photo and the accompanying clue give you an idea as to who or what the image is of. We invite you to use the Comment option to take a crack at solving the Teaser and, if you’re so inclined, participate in some good-spirited banter with your fellow sports fans. The Fan Teaser will appear each Friday morning with the reveal coming to you Sunday.