This past Saturday marked the 74th anniversary of the historic handshake between Jackie Robinson and Youngstown, Ohio native George Shuba. As you may know, on April 18, 1946 Jackie hit his first homer as a member of the Montreal Royals, and George was at the plate to greet him with a smile and a handshake -- a first during integrated Baseball. Today, a statue is being created to memorialize the happening, and it will be publicly unveiled in Youngstown on April 18, 2021 -- its 75th anniversary. Per robinsonshuba.org:
“While we’re still in the early stages of developing the statue, our progress on these models is very exciting,” said Marc Mellon, the world-class Connecticut-based sculptor crafting the statue. “In the upcoming months I’ll be working on the George Shuba figure. When both figures are completed later this summer, we will first cast them in plaster, refine the surfaces, and then cast them in bronze.”
The 1946 handshake at home plate after a Robinson home run in his debut professional game has been hailed as the “handshake of the century,” as it marked the racial integration of pro ball, which helped accelerate the breakdown of racial barriers in other areas of American life.Below are more links to check out:
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“When George Shuba stepped up to shake Jackie Robinson’s hand at home plate, at a time when racism was rampant in our country, he taught America an important lesson and made Youngstown very proud. The statue marking this moment will be a huge source of pride in Youngstown for generations to come.”
- This Day in Dodgers History: In 1957 John Kennedy becomes the first African-American to play for the Phillies, making Philadephia the last National League teal to integrate (not a huge surprise, really). He would pinch run during their 5-1 loss to the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field. In 1981 rookie Fernando Valenzuela hurled his third shutout in four starts to start the season -- defeating Houston, 1-0. Best yet, he was responsible for driving in the Dodgers lone run with a single in the fifth inning off of then-Astro Don Sutton.
- Happy Birthday, Sandy Burke, Tom Long, Ray Benge, Lew Riggs, Jake Daniel, Jack Savage & Dee Gordon!
- Any Baseball news is news worth checking out. Via Jeffrey Bellone at Dodgers Way -- "Ex-Dodger minor leaguer Henry Sosa starts bench-clearing confrontation in Taiwan."
“For our international viewers, you need to understand that this never really happens in the CPBL,” the commentator from the telecast explained. “It’s usually a very conservative league, they don’t even argue balls or strikes or outs, you know, very often.”
- Cody on kobe, via a tweet from MLB:
— MLB (@MLB) April 17, 2020
- As you may know, Topps release of their prospect-heavy 2020 Bowman brand has been delayed due to Covid-19, so they've created something new to tide you over. It's an online exclusive offering and it is called 2020 Bowman 1st Edition Baseball. You will only be able to order packs from April 22nd (today) to April 24th. Go here to check it out. (Unfortunately, I do not yet have a direct link, but will include it here when available)
- Via Rich Mueller at Sports Collectors Daily -- "Proceeds from First Astros World Series Ring to Hit Auction to Benefit COVID-19 Causes."
- I suppose it's better than nothing, but clearly it won't be enough. Per a tweet from Bill Shaikin:
The #Dodgers have announced $1.3 million in financial assistance to game-day employees. Those Dodgers employees who worked at least 100 hours at Dodger Stadium last year and were expected to work this year will receive one-time payments of $750 or $600, depending on service time.— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) April 22, 2020
- Watch Chase Utley talk about his first at-bat as a Dodger, via a tweet from NBC Sports Philadelphia:
Different uniform, same Man.— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) April 21, 2020
Chase Utley takes us down memory lane, looking back at his nerve-wracking return to CBP in 2016. pic.twitter.com/SNnbpvmOMq
- This is worth checking out. Via a tweet from Sports Illustrated:
A little love for the great and powerful @GraigKreindler. #BaseballArt #Dodgers #Yankeeshttps://t.co/zchoFdEBSu— Inside the Dodgers on Sports Illustrated (@SI_Dodgers) April 18, 2020
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