April 11th, 1947

Brooklyn Dodgers' Jackie Robinson, first black to ever be admitted into the Major Leagues, is at first base at Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, April 11, 1947; picture provide by the Associated Press

Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers poses at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, N.Y., April 11, 1947; picture provided by the Associated Press

Jackie Robinson, first Negro baseball player to be signed by a major league club goes though some infield practice March 4, 1946 after reporting with the Montreal Royals of the International League in Sanford, FL; picture provided by the Associated Press

The Daily Worker

The newspaper features a bold and clear message on top of its front page announcing the news of Robinson being a Dodger, "Robinson on Dodgers!" On the left side of the headline, a picture of Robinson in baseball uniform with a gesture that symbolizes the fact he is ready for the big time. On the third page of the newspaper, a brief report on the signing of Robinson with the Dodgers. It also includes a quote from the Dodgers general manager, Branch Rickey, "The Brooklyn Dodgers today purchased the contract of Jackie Robinson from the Montreal Royals." Then the report goes on to page 10 where expresses the excitement of fans as they get the news during an exhibition game between the Dodgers and the Royals.

In the sports column of the same page, Bill Mardo discusses the news from Rickey's perspective. His tone of voice gives a sense that the Dodgers and Rickey are taking a risk by signing a talented athlete with dark skin. They decide to sign Robinson because that's the future of baseball. "You think of Branch Rickey, a man whose many-sided personality is one of the most unique things in sports. A practical business man with a knowledge of baseball that nobody else can match. A man who once convinced that Negroes in big league baseball was some day inevitable, yielded to the popular demands of Brooklyn fans, and once he took the plunge, never faltered again." Robinson is not the only person/entity facing tremendous pressure; the Dodgers and Branch Rickey are on the hot seats to face racial issue in sports as well.


The New York Times

Louis Effrat of the newspaper publishes an article about the announcement of Dodgers' decision to sign Jackie Robinson. It includes everything - when, where, who, and what - that the readers need to know about the partnership. He acknowledges this significant occasion by writing, "The decision was made while Robinson was playing first base for Montreal against the Dodgers at Ebbets Field. Jackie was blanked at the plate and contributed little to his team's 4-3 vitory before 14,282 fans, but it was nevertheless, a history-making day for the well-proportioned lad."

Following the introduction section of the report, Effrat use the next section to express the reality of this partnership. He writes, "Robinson's path in the immediate future may not be too smooth, however. He may run into antipathy from Southerners who form about 60 per cent of the league's playing strength. In fact, it is rumored that a number of Dodgers expressed themselves unhappy at the possibility of having to play with Jackie." But he also acknowledge that the signing does not surprise anyone in the baseball circuit. "The call for Robinson was no surprise. Most baseball persons had been expecting it. After all, he had proved his right to the opportunity by his extraordinary work in the AAA minor league..."

This is probably the most in-depth article published by the New York Times about Robinson's appearance in the Big League. The newspaper takes a neutral position to report on this history-making news. It is the typical New york Times style, but it is also a much safer style by simply delivering the message. The article even pays tribute to the last black player in the major league system. "According to the records, the last Negro to play in the majors was one Moses Fleetwood Walker, who caught for Toledo of the American Association when that circuit enjoyed major-league classification back in 1884." However, Effrat fails to inform where he gets the information as he represents a prestigious publication in the country.