Trailblazers all! We must remember their names. Who are they?
As Black History Month concludes its 100th anniversary this weekend, we felt it a worthy endeavor to highlight those athletes who re-integrated the United States’ major professional ranks.
Notice that we intentionally stated “re-integrated” because, in some cases these, individuals were not the first athletes of color to play professionally in the U.S., but rather were the first to do so after ownership had colluded against having black and brown players on their teams.
The players included in this week’s Fan Teaser:
Jackie Robinson, Brooklyn Dodgers, Major League Baseball, 1947 – Easily the most famous of this quartet, Robinson was a four-sport letterwinner at both Pasadena Junior College and UCLA during his college days (baseball, basketball, football, and track). He debuted for the Dodgers after spending one season each with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Major Leagues and the Montreal Royals (Brooklyn’s Triple-A affiliate).
Kenny Washington, Los Angeles Rams, National Football League, 1946 – A teammate of Robinson’s at UCLA on both the baseball and football teams, Washington was seven years removed from his standout college career (he played in the Pacific Coast Professional Football League) and had endured a pair of knees surgeries by the time he debuted for the Rams, where he played for three season.
Earl Lloyd,Washington Capitols, National Basketball Association, 1950 – Lloyd was one of three black players drafted in 1950, Chuck Cooper (Boston Celtics) and Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton (New York Knicks) were the others. Lloyd gets the nod as the first black NBA player due to the Capitols schedule. They began the season on Halloween, while the Celtics started a day later, and the Knicks on November 3.
Willie O’Ree, Boston Bruins, National Hockey League, 1958 – His was not a lengthy NHL career, but O’Ree did break the color barrier with the Bruins during the 1957-58 season. He played in back-to-back games against the Montreal Canadiens on January 18 & 19, 1958 but did not factor in the scoring. He played one full season (1960-61) with the Bruins, scoring four goals, collecting 10 assists, and accumlating 26 penalty minutes.
From left, Earl Lloyd, Jackie Robinson, Kenny Washington, and Willie O’Ree. (Photo credits to the Pistons, Rams, Bruins, and the Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
As referenced above, not all four men were the first of color to play in the highest professional ranks.
In baseball, the most notable (and final) predecessor to Robinson, was Moses Fleetwood Walker, who played for the Toledo Blue Stockings (then of the MLB predecessor American Association) for the totality of the 1884 season. Finishing in eighth place and in financial trouble, the Blue Stockings released Walker following the season. He later played for squads in both the Western and International Leagues, but never again at the game’s highest level.
In football, Fritz Pollardand Bobby Marshall are credited as the the first to play in the NFL’s precursor, the American Professional Football Association, during the 1920 season. Pollard played for the Akron Pros and Marshall for the Rock Island Independents. Following his retirement after the 1926 season, Pollard was the last NFL player of color until Washington.
In the NHL, Art Dorrington became the first black player to sign a contract (1950, New York Rangers) but he never played in league.
These folks are often times forgotten in the history books, clockwise from top left, Art Dorrington, Bobby Marshall, Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, Moses Fleetwood Walker, Fritz Pollard, and Chuck Cooper. (Photo credits to the Atlantic City Sea Gulls, Rock Island Independents, New York Knicks, Toledo Blue Stockings, Akron Pros, and Boston Celtics)
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.
A sure sign you’re not in Michigan anymore? Palm trees and the Rose Parade logo.
I’ve made no secret in this space – and on my podcast (Conversations with Sports Fans) – about my fondness of all things Tournament of Roses.
The Parade instantly transports me to my family’s living room sofa in rural Adams County, IN, munching on New Years Eve leftovers while discussing the marching bands and the floats with my mom and sister. And the Bowl Game stirs echoes of legendary broadcasters such as Curt Gowdy, Dick Enberg, and Keith Jackson, crafting the soundtrack of the play at the foot of the sunsplashed San Gabriel Mountains as our late afternoon Middle America dreariness gave way to total darkness.
Overly nostalgic?
Perhaps. But for a sports-crazed kid from the Middle of Nowhere, Indiana, the entire Pasadena and Rose Bowl event was almost an out-of-body experience that I very rarely – if ever – missed.
So you’re going to get plenty of words (and images!) about my three-plus days in Pasadena for the recent Parade and Bowl Game. This is the first installment.
A Word About Hollywood Burbank Airport
At left, Tim and Doug shortly after arriving at historic Hollywood Burbank Airport. At left, a reminder of the airport’s history and former name, Bob Hope, hangs behind the holiday decorations.
If there’s one thing I’ve enjoyed about this Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project, it’s been the planning – the chase, if you will – to maximize the limited resources I have and fit all the puzzle pieces into place.
As I explored flights into the Los Angeles area, my initial instincts had me looking at Los Angeles International (of which I’d flown in and out of a few times, previously) but the distance, and traffic, to Pasadena was less-than-appealing. That distance thing was the same reason for never seriously considering John Wayne (aka Orange County) Airport.
Enter Hollywood Burbank Airport, which I recalled being named Bob Hope Aiport (official rebrand occurred in 2017). The airport’s convenience and proximity to Pasadena (20-25 drive even in traffic) was tremendous! And while I’m a big fan of non-stop flights, the lower cost, ease of arrival/departure, and location could not be topped.
If you’re traveling to greater LA and don’t have a need to go into the city center regularly, I cannot recommend BUR highly enough.
Tim & Doug Check Out Pasadena
The parade route was all decked out.
Surprisingly, our hotel room in neighboring Glendale was ready for us by our 1 p.m. arrival and, after a quick recalibration nap, we headed off to see Pasadena and find a spot to watch some of the Detroit Lions-San Francisco 49ers Monday Night Football game.
Our Lyft driver delivered us to the front door of Vroman’s Bookstore. Tim and I are both retired English teachers and former journalists, so visiting a bookstore on Pasadena’s venerable Colorado Boulevard (site of a certain parade) seemed a natural first stop.
The Vroman’s Bookstore sign.
Billed as California’s oldest independent bookstore, Vroman’s has been peddling books in Pasadena since it’s founder Adam Clark Vroman opened the doors in 1894.
In a nod to 2024, the bookstore now features a coffee house and a wine bar.
It’s a lovely little spot that features all the usual genres as well as the additional items bookstores need to carry to help sustain in this era: Pasadena/Los Angeles/California-themed merch, games, journaling/author materials, the aforementioned coffee and wine spots, and during our visit, holiday items for sale.
No books were purchased, but I did nab a postcard and a sticker to commemorate my visit.
The busts of Jackie, at left, and Mack Robinson in downtown Pasadena.
From Vroman’s we headed west on Colorado (which along this stretch doubles as part of historic U.S. Route 66) in search of the Pasadena Robinson Memorial. The memorial features a pair of massive busts of Jackie and Mack Robinson two of Pasadena’s most famous sons.
Jackie, of course, was a 4-sport star at Pasadena City College before going on to do the same across town at UCLA. His claim to fame to the wider world was becoming the first modern Major League Baseball player of color.
Jackie’s older brother, Mack, was a track and field star at PCC where he set junior college records in the 100 and 200 meters as well as the long jump. He qualified for the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team that ran in the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics. Mack took second to Jesse Owens in the 200 meters, finishing 0.4 seconds before Owens. Mack went onto run track and graduate from the University of Oregon.
From a distance, the sculptures appear as giant floating heads, but upon closer inspection, the details inlaid into each is magnificent and features additional words and imagery.
Some of the detail in the Robinson busts, clockwise from upper left, at the top of Jackie’s head is a crossword puzzle-type grid with the names of significant people from his life; the back of Jackie’s head features images of the four sports he competed in during his high school and college years (football, baketball, track, and baseball); the back of Mack’s head depicts him sprinting; the side of Jackie’s head lists his career including time in the Army, with the LA Dodgers, and Chock Full o’ Nuts Coffee; the top of Mack’s head features the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.
Across the street from the Robinson Memorial is Pasadena’s City Hall which was crazy busy (to us, at least) for a late Monday afternoon during a holiday week with folks dressed to the nines posing for photos. We eventually approached a pair of city officials to inquire about all the photo-ops and were told it’s just become a thing. The architecture and scenery lend themselves to senior photos, engagement photos, wedding photos, etc. Also, one gal informed us, this building was used for exterior shots of the fictious Pawnee government building in the show “Parks and Recreation” (which neither Tim nor I watched).
Clockwise from upper left, the exterior of Pasadena’s City Hall; its Christmas Tree; and the courtyard in the rear which was full of folks taking professional photographs.
Once back on Colorado, we kept heading west in search of the Lululemon pop-op where we’d pick up our Run with the Roses 5K materials for the next night’s kickoff to a busy New Year.
Along our route I noticed the grandstand where we’d be seated for the Parade in a couple of days. It set directly in front of the First United Methodist Church. We even ambled up the steps to sample our seats in anticipation of the big event on January 1.
Aisle 2 of this Grandstand along Colorado Boulevard would be our home for Rose Parade viewing.
We made it to our destination, picked up our materials our materials for the January 1 at midnight 5K that I got us into. Lululemon was kind enough to offer us a 25% off discount on any purchases but alas, even by shaving a quarter off the price, neither Tim nor I found anything that screamed to us, “Wear me!”
So we sallied forth in search of sustenance, a cooling beverage, and some TVs to check out my Lions’ revenge game in Santa Clara. We found all of the above at a place called, Congregation Brewery and Cocina, a California-based brewery in Azusa.
Note the halo and devil horns above the g’s on the sign.
Our server, Brenda, was a delight and helped us navigate the menu, drink list, and, most importantly, get MNF on screens that were within eyesight of each of us.
There was one more stop in Pasadena I wanted to make before we headed back to our lodging.
My daughter, Helena, is a frequent shopper of Trader Joe’s and I was keenly aware the franchise originated in Pasadena. And there, just a few blocks from where we enjoyed pizza and beverages, was the one that started it all.
The original Trader Joe’s in Pasadena. Note the mural inside the front window noting it’s where it all started as well as the sign affixed to the palm tree indicating the exact date it opened (I was but 2 months old!)
Somewhat surprisingly, aside from the sign out front, it looked pretty much like every other Trader Joe’s I’ve ever visited … which, I suppose, is fine.
Floats, Bowls, and Links
This float is from Love 2 Yeu and honors the Vietnamese Lunar New Year.
Knowing what the following 48 hours were going to look like, Tim and I slow-played our start to the final day of 2024. No alarms were set, we enjoyed the hotel’s breakfast, and watched nearly all of the Michigan-Alabama ReliaQuest Bowl.
By early afternoon we got started by driving over to the Rose Bowl Stadium footprint where we were pleasantly surprised to find floats queued up receiving last-minute attention. Being able to be a few feet away (in some instances) from these works of floral art was rather remarkable.
As every square inch of exposed surface of the floats must be covered by flowers and/or other natural materials, the floats are true labors of love. Clockwise from upper left, there’s even special glue; a spray waits to be placed on a float; extra flower blooms wait to be affixed to a float; both particiapting schools in the game have floats dedicated to them; each rose rests in an individual vial of water to remain fresh; the Mississippi entry was among my favorites; the Honda float featured a spinning globe; the American Heartland Theme Park (OK) entry.
Of the ones we saw, my favorite was the one from Mississippi. A major reason for preferring this one is, no doubt, because Event No. 10 took me to Oxford, MS, for the Egg Bowl. I also stayed one night in Tupelo where the Elvis statue depicted on the float is displayed.
From there we trekked across a field to check out the Ohio State and Oregon semi-trucks that hauled gear cross country for the next day’s game, saw Urban Meyer on the B1G Network set, the Rose Bowl’s Jackie Robinson statue (off limits for up close visits due to the TV set).
We next made our way to the main gate of the Rose Bowl Stadium, though closed, it still offered plenty of opportunities for photo ops as well as a quiet and up close look at the Keith Jackson statue.
Clockwise from upper left, Keith Jackson became a beloved voice of the Rose Bowl and now has a statue near the main entrance honoring his him; tractor trailers from both Oregon and Ohio State were featured prominently in front of the stadium; former OSU head coach Urban Meyer chats it up on the B1G Network; the Rose Bowl Stadium has a statue of former UCLA running back Jackie Robinson on its grounds; and the main entrance of the Rose Bowl Stadium.
Our final stop on this side of the stadium was in the adjacent parking area where something called the “Bowl Bash” was ongoing. Free to anyone who showed up, the Bowl Bash featured food and beverage, a DJ, big screens showcasing other bowl action, some games (pickleball, corn hole, field goal kicking, passing accuracy, etc), appearanced by the Oregon and OSU bands and spirit squads, and photo opportunities with the Rose Bowl’s Leishman Trophy and other assorted Rose Bowl-themed things.
I’d categorize it as a fun experience, though I failed in the field goal kicking I was successful in fending off Tim in corn hole (21-20). We steered clear of the overpriced food and beverage but enjoyed seeing The Ohio State band and spirit squads perform. We even caught a glimpes of ESPN talent – play-by-play announcer Chris Fowler and studio analyst Joey Galloway – get stopped and searched at a security checkpoint.
Clockwise from the upper left, absolutely, I’ll sit in your over-sized inflatable chair and pose for a photo; ESPN’s Chris Fowler is wanded by security before entering the stadium; the OSU band marches in; Tim and I pose with the Leishman Trophy; Tim and I posing with the 2025 Rose Bowl sign; ESPN’s Joey Galloway chats up a security guard waiting to be inspected; and, yes, I’ll also pose under the balloon helmets from each school.
After we finished bashing, we headed to the other side of the stadium and visited Brookside Golf Course which, like the stadium and rest of the parkland surrounding it, is owned and operated by the City of Pasadena. Brookside features 36 holes and is open to the public. Tim wanted to check it out because he brought his clubs on this trip and there’s a chance he might sneak in 18 after returning from a cruise he and wife, Tracey, were sailing on following the Rose Bowl festivities.
Only one of the courses was open on New Years Eve (and players were walking off as we arrived) because the other was utilized for parking and the next day’s “Fan Fest.” While looking dry (which it has been in this area) the course appeared well maintained, the clubhouse had plenty of Rose Bowl merchandise free of the participating schools’ logos, and a lovely grill that was closing as we arrived.
From left, the Brookside sign out front; a view of one of the practice green areas (note the hospitality tents in the background); a mural inside the clubhouse; and a banner on the lamp post out front quotes Keith Jackson with the “Granddaddy of them all.”
If you’re a sports fan you’ve probably seen 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.
Brooklyn Dodgers second baseman Jackie Robinson steals home against the New York Yankees in the eighth inning of Game 1 of the 1955 World Series. Despite Robinson’s steal, the Dodgers lost the game, 6-5, but they would go on to win the Series in seven games. (Photo by Mark Kauffman/Sports Illustrated)
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.
ESPN gives the steal an updated examination overlaying analytics and the social dynamic of it with Doug Glanville.
Yogi was insisting until much later in life that he got the tag on Robinson before his foot hit home plate.
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.
(About the Series: Based upon my Conversation with guest Derek Meinecke, I’m going back in time to be in the stands at 10 sporting events. This week, it’s #2. You’re able to find links to the previous installments below.)
The new infield of the Brooklyn Dodgers as they prepared to face the Boston Braves in the opening game of the 1947 season at Ebbets Field. Left to right are Spider Jorgensen, Pee Wee Reese, Eddie Stanky, and Jackie Robinson.
My junior year of undergrad at Eastern Michigan University back in the late 1980s, I was in Professor Curtis Stadtfeld’s “History of Journalism” class. One of our assignments was to look at a significant historical event from a journalism point of view. In other words, how did the media cover a particular event?
It was a no-brainer for me: My topic would be Jackie Robinson‘s intregration of Major League Baseball.
Similarly, it was a no-brainer when it came to selecting the penultimate Back in Time journey to witness sports history.
We’re heading to back to Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, NY, on April 15, 1947. I’ll take any seat in Ebbets’ Field that afternoon – and there were about 5,000 available! – to witness Robinson’s debut for the Dodgers against the visiting Boston Braves.
I’m not really sure how, why, or when my fascination with Robinson began, but it did. He was long-since retired and already enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, before I was born. And, unfortunately, died when I was five. If I had any inkling of who Robinson was as a child, I surely don’t remember it.
Yet, there I was in 1980-something, doing a deep dive into the media’s coverage of Robinson as he worked his way from the Kansas City Monarchs to the Montreal Royals to the Brooklyn Dodgers. For the life of me, I cannot find that paper.
I think I received an A for the assignment. What I do recall, however, is that it’s when I first became acquainted with the work of Pittsburgh Courier sportswriter Wendell Smith who was instrumental in the recruitment of Robinson and supporting him once he joined the Dodgers’ organization. Interestingly, Robinson and Smith the two died just 32 days apart in 1972. (Check out this wonderful story about Smith written by the Los Angeles’ Times‘ Bill Plaschke back in 2013.)
Pittsburgh Courier writer Wendell Smith, left, and Jackie Robinson.
The game wound up being a bit uneventful as far as Robinson’s concerned. He went 0-for-3 but reached on an errant throw on a sacrifice bunt. He eventually came around to score the go-ahead run in the Dodgers’ 5-3 win. You’re able to read the SABR Game Project on his debut here.
It’s great to know what happened, but it should have been nice to be there.
A pair of Wendell Smith articles grace the cover of the Pittsburgh Courier’s Washington Edition.
On April 15, 1947, 28-year-old Jackie Roosevelt Robinson played batted second and played first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers during its Opening Day 5-3 victory over the Boston Braves. It was the first of 1,382 Major League games and, for a variety of reasons, it may have also been his most important; it was the first MLB game in modern times that included an African-American player.
On the 50th anniversary of this historic moment, Major League Baseball retired Robinson’s jersey number 42 … permanently. Ten years later, in 2007, MLB chose to further honor Robinson by annually celebrating “Jackie Robinson Day” every April 15 when all uniformed personnel where number 42 … no matter the team.
Though Robinson had long been retired by the time I was born and passed away in 1972 when I was but 5, I’ve always had affinity for his story and the aura surrounding it and him. When my wife and I visited Cooperstown, NY, recently, I once again lingered in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s Plaque Gallery at his plaque. That is where this week’s Fan Teaser image originates.
Jackie Robinson’s plaque in the Baseball Hall of Fame Plaque Gallery in Cooperstown, NY.
In 1999 ESPN produced a series of 100 biographies entitled “SportsCentury” in which it counted down the Top 100 North American Athletes of the 20th Century. In my mind, Robinson was under ranked at #15, but what do I know. Here is the Robinson biography via YouTube broken into seven parts.
Just to review, The Fan Teaser comes courtesy of longtime buddy, Pat Schutte. The cropped photo below 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 by the early kickoff on Sunday.
