Dodgers host second annual Jackie Robinson Legacy Day

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Approximately 200 local elementary and middle school students were at Dodger Stadium today to celebrate what would’ve been Jackie Robinson’s 90th birthday and listened to stories from Don Newcombe, Tommy Davis and ‘Sweet’ Lou Johnson. The brainchild of Charles Steinberg, Dodgers executive vice president, the event fell on the eve of Black History Month.

Robinson not only opened doors for Newcombe, but the man who broke the color barrier in baseball also taught Newcombe how to play the game properly, citing a game he pitched in 1949 in Pittsburgh as an example. The Dodgers were up 11-1 early in the game and Newcombe, losing focus, walked the bases loaded. With Ralph Kiner about to hit, Robinson called time from his post at second base and walked to the mound.

‘Why don’t you go in the clubhouse and take that uniform off?’ Newcombe recalled being told by Robinson.

Newcombe said that Robinson told him that he was about to give up a home run to Kiner, which would result in Newcombe being pulled and not getting a win because he hadn’t pitched five innings.

‘If you don’t like what I’m saying to you, we can go in the clubhouse and settle it,’ Robinson told him.

‘I wasn’t about to fight Jackie Roosevelt Robinson,’ Newcombe said, laughing.

Newcombe struck out Kiner and went on to earn the win in the Dodgers’ 15-3 victory.

‘I’ll never forget that, though,’ Newcombe said. ‘I never started fooling around for the rest of my baseball career.’

— Dylan Hernandez