@zach

3mo

Jackie Robinson Makes MLB Debut: Today in Sports History

On April 15th, 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball. While Robinson went hitless in his debut, he reached second base on a throwing error and scored the winning run in the Brooklyn Dodgers’ 5-3 victory over the Boston Braves. Racial tension was prevalent in the Dodgers’ clubhouse, with players insinuating they would rather sit out than play with Robinson. However, the team’s management took a stand for Jackie, with manager Leo Durocher informing the team, "I do not care if the guy is yellow or black, or if he has stripes like a fuckin' zebra. I'm the manager of this team, and I say he plays. What's more, I say he can make us all rich. And if any of you cannot use the money, I will see that you are all traded." Robinson finished the season having played in 151 games for the Dodgers, with a triple slash of .297/.383/.427. He had 175 hits (scoring 125 runs) including 31 doubles, 5 triples, and 12 home runs, driving in 48 runs for the year. Robinson led the league in sacrifice hits (28) and in stolen bases (29). His performance earned him the inaugural Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award. Robinson would play in Brooklyn for a decade, accumulating 61.8 bWAR. He won MVP in 1949 and was a 6x MLB All-Star. He was a 1st ballot Hall of Famer, being elected in 1962 with 77.5% of the vote. On April 15th, 1997, MLB honored Jackie Robinson by retiring his #42 for all teams. On April 15th, 2004, MLB officially established Jackie Robinson Day, commemorating the anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier. The tradition of all players wearing #42 on the day was first established by Ken Griffey Jr. in 2007, who asked MLB if #42 could be temporarily reinstated so he could wear it on April 15th to celebrate Robinson’s achievements. Soon after, other players would make the same request. Over 100 players in 2007 took the field wearing #42, and a year later that number increased to over 300. So, in 2009, the tradition was established for all players, managers, coaches, and umpires to wear #42 on April 15th.

Dodgers

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Max Max Muncy Muncy

Please take a moment to look at the picture up above. Yes, that is true. Though it seems like a glitch in the matrix it’s not. These two individuals share the exact same name, same profession, some position, drafted by the same team, mostly hit towards the bottom of the order, and don’t even know each other. Completely unrelated too! I’d love to see these two on the same team one day.

@zach

Pride and the Origin of the High Five

The most widely accepted origin of the high five can be credited to Dodgers teammates Glenn Burke and Dusty Baker. It built its legacy within the LGBTQ+ community. On October 2nd, 1977, the Dodgers and Astros were playing in the final game of their regular seasons. In the sixth inning, Baker hit his 30th home run of the season off of pitcher J.R. Richard. This made the Dodgers the first team ever to have four hitters with at least 30 home runs each in a single season. Burke, waiting on deck, greeted Baker with a triumphant hand in the air. Not knowing what to do, Baker slapped his hand. "His hand was up in the air, and he was arching way back," said Baker in 2011. "So I reached up and hit his hand. It seemed like the thing to do." Burke went on to be the first MLB player to come out as gay after his playing career. He faced discrimination throughout his time in the majors. He angered Dodgers' manager Tommy Lasorda by befriending his gay son, Tommy Lasorda Jr. Burke was later traded to Oakland, a move unpopular with Dodgers players, and suffered discrimination from both other players and from the Athletics' management. Billy Martin introduced Burke to the newest members of the team in 1980 by stating, "Oh, by the way, this is Glenn Burke and he's a faggot." After retiring from baseball, Burke used the high five with other gay residents of the Castro district of San Francisco, and it became a symbol of gay pride. Through the high five, Burke's legacy lives on decades later. Burke's sister, Lutha Davis, says Burke himself was pleased to see the high five spilling out of sports to punctuate smaller, everyday joys. "Now when something great happens in life, people do the high five," she says. "I call it 'the high five of life.'" Happy Pride Month, everyone.

@Landon

Down Goes The Hernandez Brothers

The Dodgers played the Rockies in a three game series in LA earlier this week. Game 1 we saw the return of Kike Hernandez and he started off HOT getting hits and home runs in his first two game. But half way through game 2, his second game back he torn his oblique rounding first base. During game three in the the third ish inning Teo Hernandez step to the plate, he had been struggling but still getting hits and making plays for the dodgers. Teo hit a ground ball to second base and he hurt his hamstring causing him to hit his helmet against the dodgers little cubby’s for their helmets then he left the game. He will be getting a scan later today (May 28, 2026) but is expected to be placed on the IL In two games both players hurt the same leg running the bases. Although that might seem like a big deal to lose two starters in two days the dodgers have incredible depth and will be able to continue playing at a high level. Only time will tell the extent of their injury’s, I hope them the best with fast recovery’s.