On Jackie Robinson's birth date, watch rare footage of him with the Kansas City Royals
Watch rare Minor League footage of Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson only spent one season with Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate the Montreal Royals, but it was a memorable one. In his first game, he went 4-for-5 with two stolen bases, a home run and 4 RBIs. By his last game, he could barely make it out of the park without being mobbed by adoring fans. According to the Pittsburgh Courier's Sam Maltin:
"A delegation of ushers went to see Jackie and asked him to step out, so that they could close the park and call it a season. Jackie came out and the crowd surged on him. Men and women of all ages threw their arms around him, kissed him, pulled and tore at his clothes, and then carried him around the infield on their shoulders, shouting themselves hoarse.
Jackie, tears streaming down his face, tried to beg off further honors.
They carried him back to the clubhouse. There, he had a tough time packing his gear as people came trooping in to wish him luck. They all said they wanted him back."
Jackie, tears streaming down his face, tried to beg off further honors.
They carried him back to the clubhouse. There, he had a tough time packing his gear as people came trooping in to wish him luck. They all said they wanted him back."
Now, on what would have been his 96th birthday, you can see him before he had even signed a Brooklyn contract. With the barnstorming Kansas City Royals in October 1945, he wore "20."
Click play at the top of the page to watch.
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