How the Debut Was Covered

How some media covered Jackie Robinson’s debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947:

(The following day)

Have the Dodgers gone sane? That’s what Brooklyn fans were asking one another today as they praised Clyde (Pro Tem) Sukeforth’s first managerial performance and reviewed it comparatively, play by play, in terms of what Leo Durocher would have done.

Some of the fans thought they detected a rare element of cautious baseball in Sukeforth’s 5-3 opening day victory over the Braves. Are the fans right or wrong? The answer: yes and no. . . .

(8th paragraph)

. . . Howard Schultz replaced Jackie Robinson at first base in the ninth inning.

Sukeforth said he ran Tom Taum for Dixie Walker in the sixth inning, when the Dodgers were behind, because speed was required as a precaution against the double play. “We have so many good players on our team that I could afford to make a move like that,” he said.

Reiser, whose two hits, three runs scored and two driven in represented Brooklyn’s effective offense in toto, had a reassuring word for Robinson, who went hitless his first game in the big leagues. “He’ll be all right,” Pete volunteered. “He’ll steady down and he’ll be fine.” Sukeforth had the same to say about the other rookie, Johnny Jorgenson, the overnight regular at third base.