April 12th, 1947

The Daily Worker

The Daily Worker features a large picture of fans lean over the Brooklyn Dodger s' dugout to ask for Jackie Robinson's autograph on the front page of the newspaper. On the right side of that picture, the newspaper informs readers about a sports column "Fans Say: 'We Want Leo; We're With Jackie'" and an article "Dodger Fans Welcome Jackie's Debut" regarding Robinson's first appearance as a Dodger in the preseason exhibition game. In Abner Berry's article, he describes the scene at the ball park and the reaction of fans with details.

For instance, "A youthful Negro fan sitting next to me confided he knew nothing about the game, he had had to work too hard to play it or to learn it. But he had to come and see Jackie. White and Negro fans surrounding him shared their program with him and kept him up to date on the plays and players" Berry writes. In another occasion, one fan is frustrated by Robinson's hitless performance and expresses his downer attitude. Then Berry writes, "He was interrupted by a young fan among the group down front that had been chanting, 'Come on Jackie! Come on Jackie.' The young Dodger-Robinson fan stood up, turned around and shouted back to the groaner, 'Don't be a blabbermouth! Pipe Down, will you?' From then on, the left field stands were all Jackie's." It is clear that the majority of Dodger fans - white and black - are excited about this newcomer through Berry's observation at the ball park a few days before Robinson's official debut in Major League Baseball.

On the other hand, Lester Rodney's column focuses on Robinson's reaction toward the hype of his appearance in the Major. He writes, "It seemed almost foolish to ask him the bromidic question ' How do you feel?' He said, 'I'm thrilled-' shook his head and added, 'It's a big day.' He obviously has a sense of history, not an easy thing to express. 'I'm thrilled...not only for myself' was the way he said it." This report shows that Robinson himself feels the pressure of making history. His every move and words represent the African American community in the world of Caucasian.

In both articles, no word discusses the result of the game; rather, both journalists focus on Robinson's debut with the Dodgers and his participation in the exhibition game. Berry and Rodney illustrate the magnitude of this occasion in American history indirectly instead of focusing on the game itself.


The New York Times

Unlike the Daily Worker, The New York Times rather focuses on what happened during the game. Louis Effrat uses a couple of sentences to welcome Robinson on his first appearance with the Dodgers. His article begin with a sentence like this "With Jackie Robinson, first Negro with a major league club since 1884, playing nine innings at first base flawlessly..." Later of the same paragraph, Effrat writes, "The 28 year-old Robinson whose contract had been purchased from Montreal on Thursday, received a pleasant reception from the fans and the players." The newspaper choose a rather safe path on this occasion. The report takes on a neutral position instead of paying heavy attention to the reaction of fans and Robinson himself. However, the newspaper does show a picture of Robinson posting with Dodger personnels in the dugout prior to the game. Robinson and acting manager Sukeforth have smile on their faces looking at each other next to coach Jake Pitler and coach Ray Blades. The picture and the reporting style show the attitude of the New York Times toward Robinson's appearance with the Dodgers.