1. In 1945, America's greatest generation
came back from war.Copy !req
2. The flags of freedom fly over Europe.Copy !req
3. Nazi Germany had been defeated...Copy !req
4. and three months later,
Imperial Japan surrendered as well.Copy !req
5. And there's jubilation around this earth.Copy !req
6. Men returned home. Among them,
some of baseball's most beloved names.Copy !req
7. Musial. DiMaggio. Williams.Copy !req
8. Life in the United States
could return to normal.Copy !req
9. - What's the guy's name?
- What's on second?Copy !req
10. - Who's on second?
- Who's on first?Copy !req
11. - I don't know.
- Third base.Copy !req
12. And baseball was proof positive
that democracy was real.Copy !req
13. A baseball box score, after all,
is a democratic thing.Copy !req
14. It doesn't say how big you are
or what religion you follow.Copy !req
15. It does not know how you voted
or the color of your skin.Copy !req
16. It simply states what kind of ballplayer
you were on any particular day.Copy !req
17. And he did it. It's a home run.Copy !req
18. They knew he'd do it.Copy !req
19. African Americans
had served their country gallantly.Copy !req
20. They returned home from fighting
to free the world from tyranny...Copy !req
21. only to find racism, segregation
and Jim Crow law still waiting at home.Copy !req
22. Segregation was the law...Copy !req
23. and no group was more scrupulous
in its observance of custom...Copy !req
24. than organized baseball.Copy !req
25. There was a long road ahead.Copy !req
26. If African Americans dreamed
of playing baseball...Copy !req
27. it was not for the Yankees...Copy !req
28. but for teams like the Kansas City
Monarchs of the Negro Leagues...Copy !req
29. where the barnstorming style of play
stood in contrast to the Majors.Copy !req
30. In 1946, there were
16 Major League baseball teams...Copy !req
31. with a total of 400 players
on their rosters.Copy !req
32. Every one of the 400 players
were white.Copy !req
33. But when opening day came in 1947,
that number dropped to 399...Copy !req
34. and one man stood apart.Copy !req
35. Gentlemen, I have a plan.Copy !req
36. Plan's good, Mr. Rickey.
You always have one.Copy !req
37. My wife says I'm too old. Heh, heh.Copy !req
38. That my health's not up to it.Copy !req
39. My son says, uh, everybody in...Copy !req
40. Everybody in baseball
is gonna be against me. Heh.Copy !req
41. But I'm gonna do it.Copy !req
42. Do what, Mr. Rickey?Copy !req
43. I'm gonna bring a Negro ballplayer...Copy !req
44. to the Brooklyn Dodgers.Copy !req
45. With all due respect, sir,
have you lost your mind?Copy !req
46. Think... Think about...Copy !req
47. Think about the abuse...Copy !req
48. that you are gonna take
from the newspapers...Copy !req
49. let alone how this is gonna play out
in Flatbush!Copy !req
50. Please, Mr. Rickey.Copy !req
51. Sit down, Harold.Copy !req
52. No law against it, Clyde.Copy !req
53. No.Copy !req
54. No, but there's a code.Copy !req
55. You break a law and get away with it,
some people think you're smart.Copy !req
56. You break an unwritten law...Copy !req
57. you'll be an outcast.Copy !req
58. Mm-hm.Copy !req
59. So be it.Copy !req
60. New York's full of Negro baseball fans.Copy !req
61. Dollars aren't black and white,
they're green.Copy !req
62. Every dollar's green.Copy !req
63. I don't know who he is...Copy !req
64. or where he is...Copy !req
65. but he's coming.Copy !req
66. Hey, runner!Copy !req
67. Where'd you learn to move like that,
at a dime-a-dance night?Copy !req
68. Stand still!Copy !req
69. There you are!Copy !req
70. Ball!Copy !req
71. Safe!Copy !req
72. Catcher!Copy !req
73. When you gonna start throwing for real?Copy !req
74. You talking to me?Copy !req
75. You got a rag arm, catcher.Copy !req
76. Steal home.
You'll find out what kind of arm I got.Copy !req
77. Okay.Copy !req
78. I'm coming.Copy !req
79. Where's your shortstop from?Copy !req
80. California.Copy !req
81. Sure got a mouth on him.Copy !req
82. Safe!Copy !req
83. (ON RADIO) Discussions
concerning Japan's offer of surrender.Copy !req
84. Washington, London, Moscow,
and Chungking...Copy !req
85. now framing their decision.Copy !req
86. When this decision will be communicated
to Tokyo via the government's...Copy !req
87. - Fill her up?
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
88. You boys heading out?
Uh, Chicago.Copy !req
89. Chicago, huh? Heh.Copy !req
90. - You boys get around.
- Yeah, we sure do.Copy !req
91. - Hey. Hey, you, where you going?
- To the toilet.Copy !req
92. Hell, come on, boy.
You know you can't go in there.Copy !req
93. Them Cokes are a nickel.Copy !req
94. Take that hose out of the tank.Copy !req
95. - Robinson.
- What?Copy !req
96. I said take it out.Copy !req
97. We'll get our 99 gallons of gas
someplace else.Copy !req
98. All right, then. Go on.Copy !req
99. Go on! Use it.Copy !req
100. Roy Campanella.Copy !req
101. Hell of a player. He's too sweet.
They'd eat him alive.Copy !req
102. All right.Copy !req
103. Oh, sorry. Oh, wait. Sorry.Copy !req
104. - Satchel Paige, then.
- He's too old.Copy !req
105. We need a player with a future,
not a past.Copy !req
106. Here.Copy !req
107. Jack Roosevelt Robinson.Copy !req
108. Four-sport college man, out of UCLA.
That means he's played with white boys.Copy !req
109. Playing for the Kansas City Monarchs.Copy !req
110. Twenty-six years old.
He's batting.350. Three-fifty.Copy !req
111. Methodist.Copy !req
112. Commissioned Army officer.Copy !req
113. He was court-martialed.Copy !req
114. He's a troublemaker.Copy !req
115. Well, he argues with umpires.Copy !req
116. A quick temper is his reputation.Copy !req
117. Well, what was he court-martialed for?Copy !req
118. Wouldn't sit in the back
of a military bus. Fort Hood, Texas.Copy !req
119. Driver asked him to, uh, move back.Copy !req
120. MPs had to take him off.Copy !req
121. There, you see?Copy !req
122. I see he resents segregation.Copy !req
123. If he were white, we'd call that spirit.Copy !req
124. Robinson's a Methodist.Copy !req
125. I'm a Methodist. God's a Methodist.Copy !req
126. We can't go wrong. Find him.Copy !req
127. Bring him here.Copy !req
128. How are you, fellas?
I'm looking for your, uh, shortstop.Copy !req
129. You Jackie Robinson?Copy !req
130. Who are you?Copy !req
131. Mr. Rickey.Copy !req
132. What's this about?Copy !req
133. This is about baseball, Jackie.Copy !req
134. I see you starting in spring
with our affiliate in Montreal.Copy !req
135. If you make it there...Copy !req
136. we'll try you down here...Copy !req
137. with the Dodgers.Copy !req
138. With the white Brooklyn Dodgers.Copy !req
139. Hmm.Copy !req
140. I'll pay you $600 a month.Copy !req
141. And a $3500 bonus
when you sign the contract.Copy !req
142. That agreeable?Copy !req
143. - Yes, that's fine but...
- There's one condition.Copy !req
144. I know you can hit behind the runner.
That you can read a pitch.Copy !req
145. One question is...Copy !req
146. can you control your temper?Copy !req
147. My temper?Copy !req
148. Yes, your temper! What are you, deaf?Copy !req
149. A black man in white baseball, heh,
can you imagine the reaction?Copy !req
150. The vitriol?Copy !req
151. Dodgers check into a hotel,
a, uh, a decent, good hotel.Copy !req
152. You're worn out from the road.Copy !req
153. Some clerk won't give you the pen
to sign in with.Copy !req
154. "We got no room for you, boy. Not even
down in the coal bin where you belong."Copy !req
155. Team stops at a restaurant.
Waiter won't take your order.Copy !req
156. "Didn't you see the sign on the door?
No niggers allowed."Copy !req
157. What are you gonna do then?
Fight him? Ruin all my plans?Copy !req
158. Answer me, you black son of a bitch!Copy !req
159. You want a player who doesn't
have the guts to fight back?Copy !req
160. No.Copy !req
161. No.Copy !req
162. I want a player who's got the guts
not to fight back.Copy !req
163. People aren't gonna like this.Copy !req
164. They're gonna do anything
to get you to react.Copy !req
165. Echo a curse with a curse
and, uh, they'll hear only yours.Copy !req
166. Follow a blow with a blow and they'll say,
"The Negro lost his temper."Copy !req
167. That "The Negro does not belong."Copy !req
168. Your enemy will be out in force...Copy !req
169. and you cannot meet him
on his own low ground.Copy !req
170. We win with hitting, running, fielding.
Only that.Copy !req
171. We win if the world is convinced
of two things:Copy !req
172. That you are a fine gentleman
and a great baseball player.Copy !req
173. Like our Savior...Copy !req
174. you gotta have the guts...Copy !req
175. to turn the other cheek.Copy !req
176. Can you do it?Copy !req
177. You give me a uniform...Copy !req
178. you give me a, heh,
number on my back...Copy !req
179. and I'll give you the guts.Copy !req
180. Hello?Copy !req
181. Rae...Copy !req
182. Jack.Copy !req
183. I'm in Brooklyn.Copy !req
184. Brooklyn? For what?Copy !req
185. Uh...Copy !req
186. I don't want to say on the phone.Copy !req
187. In fact, I'm not supposed to tell anyone.Copy !req
188. What's going on? Aren't you supposed
to be playing in Chicago?Copy !req
189. We've been tested, you and me.Copy !req
190. (OVER PHONE) We've done everything
the right way. We have.Copy !req
191. Me trying to make money,
you finishing school.Copy !req
192. We don't owe the world a thing.Copy !req
193. (OVER PHONE) Only each other.Copy !req
194. Jack, what are you talking about?
What is going on? What happened?Copy !req
195. Will you marry me, Rae?Copy !req
196. Absolutely.Copy !req
197. Yes. Yes.Copy !req
198. When?Copy !req
199. Um...Copy !req
200. How about right now?Copy !req
201. Did my mom look happy?Copy !req
202. Yes. You know your mother loves me.Copy !req
203. Did my gram look happy?Copy !req
204. Yes.Copy !req
205. My brother look happy?Copy !req
206. - Heh, your brother?
- Ha, ha.Copy !req
207. Everyone looked happy. I've never seen
so many happy-looking people.Copy !req
208. Did Jack Robinson look happy?Copy !req
209. What if I can't make you happy?Copy !req
210. Too late.Copy !req
211. You already do.Copy !req
212. It's you and me, Rae.Copy !req
213. Ooh, ha, ha.Copy !req
214. Um...Copy !req
215. - Till the wheels fall off.
- Hmm.Copy !req
216. Oh, Jack, the world is waiting for us.Copy !req
217. The world can wait one more night.Copy !req
218. Are you coming, Mrs. Robinson?Copy !req
219. I'd follow you anywhere, Mr. Robinson.Copy !req
220. Okay.Copy !req
221. Okay.Copy !req
222. (ON PA)
Flight to Pensacola leaves in an hour.Copy !req
223. Flight to Pensacola leaves in an hour.Copy !req
224. "Flight to Pensacola leaves in an hour.
Flight to Pensacola leaves in an hour."Copy !req
225. Are you okay?Copy !req
226. I've just never seen one before.Copy !req
227. Oh.Copy !req
228. Yeah, we're not in Pasadena anymore.Copy !req
229. Rae?Copy !req
230. Rae?Copy !req
231. Rae!Copy !req
232. Oh, boy.Copy !req
233. We have to lighten the plane.Copy !req
234. There's some bad weather east of here.Copy !req
235. A heavy plane is dangerous.Copy !req
236. So someone'll have to cancel.Copy !req
237. Look, I'm with the Brooklyn Dodger
organization.Copy !req
238. I have to get down to Daytona.Copy !req
239. I'm supposed to report to spring training
in the morning.Copy !req
240. We'll do our best to get you there
by tomorrow, but it might be the day after.Copy !req
241. - Jack.
- Right this way.Copy !req
242. You gave away our seats?Copy !req
243. You get us back on that plane.Copy !req
244. You get us back on that plane right now.Copy !req
245. Do you wanna call the sheriff...Copy !req
246. or should I?Copy !req
247. Watch your step.Copy !req
248. Oop, there he is. There's my boy.Copy !req
249. Folks, stand back,
we'll get the bags out.Copy !req
250. Jackie Robinson.Copy !req
251. Wendell Smith.Copy !req
252. Pittsburgh Courier.Copy !req
253. A reporter?Copy !req
254. Mr. Rickey sent me to meet you.
I'm gonna be your Boswell.Copy !req
255. My who?Copy !req
256. Your chronicler.Copy !req
257. Your advance man.Copy !req
258. Hell, even your chauffeur.Copy !req
259. Mrs. Robinson.Copy !req
260. It's Rachel.Copy !req
261. Man, you two looked wiped out.Copy !req
262. You got a car?Copy !req
263. Uh-huh.Copy !req
264. Brooklyn plays downtown.
Montreal just a few blocks from here.Copy !req
265. Joe and Duff Harris live here.Copy !req
266. He gets out the Negro vote.
He does a lot of good for colored people.Copy !req
267. Now, Mr. Rickey set it up himself.Copy !req
268. "If the Robinsons can't stay
at the hotels...Copy !req
269. they should stay someplace
that represents something."Copy !req
270. You'll stay here all but a few days
at the end of the week...Copy !req
271. when the Dodger organization goes
to Sanford. It's about 45 minutes away.Copy !req
272. You'll stay here, Rachel.Copy !req
273. This'll be your home
when Jackie has to travel.Copy !req
274. Uh, where are the other wives staying?Copy !req
275. Welcome to Daytona Beach.Copy !req
276. - There are no other wives.
- You must be Jackie.Copy !req
277. You're the only one that Mr. Rickey
allowed to spring training.Copy !req
278. - Thank you.
- Mm-hm. After you.Copy !req
279. Come on, now, skip.Copy !req
280. All right, here we go, boys!Copy !req
281. - I got it! I got it!
- I got it!Copy !req
282. That was a pretty big hop, there.Copy !req
283. - You got the hop!
- Ha, ha.Copy !req
284. Spring training.
It's where we work out our differences.Copy !req
285. All right!Copy !req
286. You boys continue
to pretend you're ballplayers.Copy !req
287. - Morning, Leo.
- Good morning, Mr. Rickey.Copy !req
288. How are they doing?Copy !req
289. They're rusty, but we'll have them
oiled up in no time, ready to go.Copy !req
290. Oop.Copy !req
291. First day of spring training.Copy !req
292. Pittsburgh Courier readers need to know
how it feels.Copy !req
293. It's okay.Copy !req
294. That's not exactly a headline.Copy !req
295. It's all I got.Copy !req
296. Look, Jack, right now,
it's just me asking you.Copy !req
297. But there's gonna be The New York Times
and the Sporting News.Copy !req
298. - You should think about it.
- If they ask something, I'll answer it.Copy !req
299. Okay, well here's one for you:Copy !req
300. What if one of these white pitchers
throws at you?Copy !req
301. Look, they're gonna try to get under
your skin. You need to be ready.Copy !req
302. Listen, listen.Copy !req
303. You know...Copy !req
304. You know how when you're
at the plate...Copy !req
305. you want to see the ball
come in slow?Copy !req
306. You want to see these questions
come in slow too.Copy !req
307. Hey, Jackie. Jackie, you think you can
make it with these white boys?Copy !req
308. Uh, I had no problems with white men
in the service or at UCLA.Copy !req
309. What you gonna do if one of these
pitchers throws at your head?Copy !req
310. Yeah, Jack.Copy !req
311. - I'll duck.
- Heh, that's a good one.Copy !req
312. Hey, Jack, what's your natural position?Copy !req
313. I've been playing shortstop.Copy !req
314. Are you after Pee Wee Reese's job?Copy !req
315. Uh...Copy !req
316. Reese plays for Brooklyn.Copy !req
317. I'm still trying to make Montreal.Copy !req
318. Hey, Jack.
Hey, Jack, is this about politics?Copy !req
319. It's about getting paid.Copy !req
320. "About getting paid." Hear what he
said? "it's about getting paid."Copy !req
321. He's gotta be kidding.Copy !req
322. Yeah. Good luck, Hop.Copy !req
323. Clay, Jackie Robinson.Copy !req
324. Jackie, I'd like you to meet Clay Hopper.
Manager of the Montreal Royals.Copy !req
325. Jack. They call me Hop.Copy !req
326. Now, we ain't doing much today.
Just tossing the ball around, hitting a few.Copy !req
327. You can probably toss with those fellows
over there.Copy !req
328. Jorgensen, come here!Copy !req
329. You're not playing him at shortstop,
huh, Clay?Copy !req
330. Oh, he's getting by on a quick release.
His arm's too weak for short.Copy !req
331. I think second base is his spot.Copy !req
332. I agree.Copy !req
333. Clay...Copy !req
334. I need you to get the other players
to act like gentlemen around him.Copy !req
335. Treat him like they would
any other teammate.Copy !req
336. Hmm, mm-hm.Copy !req
337. - Be natural, work together in harmony.
- Mm-hm.Copy !req
338. Got the double up!Copy !req
339. That was practically superhuman.Copy !req
340. Heh, "superhuman"?Copy !req
341. I mean, don't get carried away,
Mr. Rickey.Copy !req
342. That's still a nigger out there.Copy !req
343. Come on in now. Grab a bat. Who's up?Copy !req
344. Nice job, boys!Copy !req
345. Clay, I realize that attitude
is part of your cultural heritage.Copy !req
346. That you practically nursed race prejudice
at your mother's breast...Copy !req
347. so I'll let that go.Copy !req
348. But I will tell you this:Copy !req
349. You will either manage Robinson fairly
and correctly...Copy !req
350. or you, sir, can be unemployed.Copy !req
351. Yes, sir.Copy !req
352. Let's go! Come on, guys, let's go!Copy !req
353. Way to turn two, Jackie.Copy !req
354. Well, well, lookie here.Copy !req
355. Jackie, I'm Mr. Brock.Copy !req
356. Welcome to Sanford, Florida.Copy !req
357. Thank you for having us.Copy !req
358. The day belongs
to decent-minded people.Copy !req
359. - Wendell, always good to see you.
- You as well.Copy !req
360. Yeah, well, the wife's inside cooking.Copy !req
361. You know what she asked me?
She asked me this morning:Copy !req
362. What do you serve when a hero's coming
to dinner?Copy !req
363. Heh, um, Mr. Brock, I'm just a ballplayer.Copy !req
364. Oh, no, no.Copy !req
365. You tell that to all the little colored boys
playing baseball in Florida today.Copy !req
366. To them, you a hero.Copy !req
367. Here you go, ma'am.
Thank you, sir.Copy !req
368. Here you go.Copy !req
369. Scorecards, get your scorecards here!Copy !req
370. Scorecards here!
Get your scorecards here!Copy !req
371. Ed! You stay where I can see you.Copy !req
372. Mom, I'm 10 years old!Copy !req
373. Come on.Copy !req
374. (ON PA) Welcome to the inner-league
game between the Brooklyn Dodgers...Copy !req
375. and their Minor League affiliate,
the Montreal Royals.Copy !req
376. There you go, Pee Wee!Copy !req
377. (ON PA)
Now coming to bat for the Royals...Copy !req
378. number nine, Jackie Robinson.Copy !req
379. Get out of here!Copy !req
380. Stand up tall, Jackie!Copy !req
381. Get out, nigger!Copy !req
382. Jack's got a thick skin. He'll be okay.Copy !req
383. Well, how about you?Copy !req
384. I better get one in a hurry, heh.Copy !req
385. Have pride, Jackie!Copy !req
386. Look. Look, there he is,
black as the ace of spades!Copy !req
387. Hey, nigger boy!
What are you doing playing baseball?Copy !req
388. Hit a home run, Jackie!Copy !req
389. Please, God, let Jackie show them
what we can do.Copy !req
390. - Please.
- All right, now, Jackie Robinson!Copy !req
391. Let's go, Jackie!Copy !req
392. Come on, Jackie!Copy !req
393. Ball!Copy !req
394. They're giving you a chance!
Do something about it!Copy !req
395. Let's go, Higbe!
Shut him down right here!Copy !req
396. Ball!Copy !req
397. Durocher,
tell him to throw some strikes!Copy !req
398. Let him hit!Copy !req
399. Come on now, come on now!Copy !req
400. He ain't scared of you, Higbe!Copy !req
401. You show him, Jackie!Copy !req
402. Ball!Copy !req
403. Come on, rook.
Ain't you gonna swing at something?Copy !req
404. Higbe, just settle down. Let's get
the ball over the plate now, all right?Copy !req
405. Ball four!Copy !req
406. You stink, Higbe!Copy !req
407. It's just a walk.Copy !req
408. Ha, ha, who can blame them?Copy !req
409. Good job, Jackie.Copy !req
410. (ON PA)
Now coming to bat for the Royals...Copy !req
411. number 3, Spider Jorgensen.Copy !req
412. Let's go, Hig!Copy !req
413. All right, Higbe, shake it off, there.Copy !req
414. We got this, boy. We got this, boy.
Let's do it.Copy !req
415. Well, throw it over there!
What are you waiting for?Copy !req
416. Safe!Copy !req
417. Come on, pop up, Jack.Copy !req
418. Ball one!Copy !req
419. Yeah, Jackie!Copy !req
420. Heads up, Jack. Get the sign.Copy !req
421. He's going!
Runner! Runner!Copy !req
422. Come on, move!
Get back!Copy !req
423. Get him, Schultzy!
Get him, Schultzy!Copy !req
424. Here we go!Copy !req
425. What are you gonna do now?
Come on!Copy !req
426. Outside! Outside!Copy !req
427. On your horse, Bragan!
On your horse! Outside!Copy !req
428. - Now!
- Go, Stanky! Go, Stank!Copy !req
429. Ooh.Copy !req
430. Hey, all right!Copy !req
431. Hey! Don't you know nothing?Copy !req
432. You're supposed to get back
when I step off.Copy !req
433. What are you doing? You can dance
with him later! Focus on the plate!Copy !req
434. Come on, now! Work the plate!
Work the plate!Copy !req
435. Come on, Higbe, don't worry about
the runner. Get this guy at the plate.Copy !req
436. Timeout!Copy !req
437. That's a balk.Copy !req
438. Runner, take home.Copy !req
439. Son of a bitch.Copy !req
440. He didn't come to play, he came to kill.Copy !req
441. What happened? I don't understand.Copy !req
442. The pitcher dropped the ball. It's a balk.
Therefore, Jackie scores.Copy !req
443. But he didn't do anything.Copy !req
444. Oh, Mama, yes, he did.
He discombobulated the man.Copy !req
445. He... What?Copy !req
446. Phew.Copy !req
447. I hope Jackie's sleeping all right.Copy !req
448. Chasing baseballs in the sun all day?
Put me in my grave.Copy !req
449. - How they treating him out there?
- Well, they treat him okay.Copy !req
450. As far as I can see.Copy !req
451. Well, you can find good people
every place.Copy !req
452. Even here in Sanford.Copy !req
453. Is he in there?Copy !req
454. Who is it that you're looking for?Copy !req
455. The Nigra ballplayer.Copy !req
456. Is he in there?Copy !req
457. He's asleep right now.Copy !req
458. Maybe you wanna come back
in the morning.Copy !req
459. No, I ain't coming back.Copy !req
460. Other fellas is coming.Copy !req
461. And they ain't happy
that he's staying here in Sanford...Copy !req
462. playing ball with white boys.Copy !req
463. - Now, let me tell you something, sir.
- No, you listen to me, young man.Copy !req
464. You best just skedaddle on out of here.Copy !req
465. Because if they get here
and he's still here...Copy !req
466. there's gonna be trouble.Copy !req
467. You understand?Copy !req
468. Trouble.Copy !req
469. Trouble, trouble, trouble.Copy !req
470. Mr. Brock.Copy !req
471. May I please use your telephone?Copy !req
472. Wake him up and get him out of there.Copy !req
473. Put him in the car and, uh, start driving
to Daytona Beach. Now.Copy !req
474. Uh, oh, and, uh, Wendell...Copy !req
475. under no circumstances are you
to tell him what this is about, uh...Copy !req
476. I don't want him getting it in his head...Copy !req
477. to stay there and fight.Copy !req
478. Where's he at?Copy !req
479. I don't know.
Think he's getting another one.Copy !req
480. Hey, Jim. You escorting
that boy out of town?Copy !req
481. Hey, look at this.Copy !req
482. What's that?Copy !req
483. What's he want?Copy !req
484. Hey, hey, hey!Copy !req
485. What the hell, Wendell?Copy !req
486. A man came by while you was asleep.Copy !req
487. He said more men were coming.Copy !req
488. It might have been those fellas.Copy !req
489. Mr. Rickey said to get you to Daytona
Beach ASAP.Copy !req
490. Why didn't you say so?Copy !req
491. Mr. Rickey was afraid you wouldn't leave.
You'd want to stay there and fight.Copy !req
492. Man, what in the hell
are you laughing at?Copy !req
493. I thought you woke me
because I was cut from the team.Copy !req
494. You got a strange sense of humor, man.Copy !req
495. Two, two, two! Take him back.
Throw him out now!Copy !req
496. Safe!Copy !req
497. You're too fast for them, Jackie!Copy !req
498. All right, way to go. Way to go, boy!Copy !req
499. Get that nigger off the field!Copy !req
500. Come on, Spider, bring him in. Let's go.Copy !req
501. We got him.Copy !req
502. Four! Four! Four!Copy !req
503. No cut!
He's running through!Copy !req
504. Safe!Copy !req
505. Get off the field.Copy !req
506. - What?
- Get off the field. Now.Copy !req
507. - Why?
- Because it's against the law, that's why.Copy !req
508. No nigger's gonna play with white boys.Copy !req
509. Now you get off the field, or go to jail.Copy !req
510. You use that thing,
you better hit me between the eyes.Copy !req
511. Hey, hold on, now. What'd he do wrong?Copy !req
512. We ain't having no Nigrae mix
with white boys in this town.Copy !req
513. Y'all ain't up-states now.
They gotta keep separate.Copy !req
514. The Brooklyn Dodgers
ain't changing our way of living.Copy !req
515. Where y'all from, anyhow?Copy !req
516. I'm from Greenwood, Mississippi.Copy !req
517. Ha, ha, hell, boy,
you ought to know better.Copy !req
518. Now, you tell your Nigra I said to git.Copy !req
519. What did you do?Copy !req
520. Oh, I said:Copy !req
521. "Okay, skipper.
I'm a-gitting, I'm a-gitting, I'm a-gitting.Copy !req
522. - You don't want no trouble."
- You did not!Copy !req
523. - Yes, I did. Yes, I did.
- Ha, ha.Copy !req
524. Then I took a cold shower.Copy !req
525. We lost two to one.Copy !req
526. Aw.Copy !req
527. Okay, skipper. I'm a-gitting, I'm a-gitting.Copy !req
528. Oh, no, you not getting away from me.Copy !req
529. Jack.Copy !req
530. Get back, Rae.Copy !req
531. I want you to know something.Copy !req
532. Yeah, what's that?Copy !req
533. I want you to know I'm pulling for you
to make good.Copy !req
534. A lot of folks around here
feel the same way.Copy !req
535. If a man's got the goods,
he deserves a fair chance, that's all.Copy !req
536. Ma'am.Copy !req
537. You wanted to see me, Mr. Rickey?Copy !req
538. Bermuda grass grows so well here.Copy !req
539. I wish we could get it to grow like this up
in Brooklyn.Copy !req
540. Yeah.Copy !req
541. I like the way it smells
when they mow it.Copy !req
542. Heh, me too.Copy !req
543. Jackie...Copy !req
544. it is my pleasure...Copy !req
545. to tell you that you have earned a place
with the Montreal Royals.Copy !req
546. When they head north on Tuesday
for opening day with Jersey City...Copy !req
547. you'll be on the train.Copy !req
548. I won't let you down.Copy !req
549. Yeah, I know you won't.Copy !req
550. If you don't mind,
I'd like to go tell my wife.Copy !req
551. Ah, you give her my regards.Copy !req
552. Mr. Rickey?Copy !req
553. Why are you doing this?Copy !req
554. I'm in the baseball business.Copy !req
555. With you and the other Negro players
I hope to bring up next year...Copy !req
556. I can put together a team
that can win the World Series.Copy !req
557. And the World Series means money.Copy !req
558. You believe that, don't you?Copy !req
559. I don't think it matters what I believe.Copy !req
560. Only what I do.Copy !req
561. Agreed.Copy !req
562. Therefore...Copy !req
563. I want you to worry those pitchers
till they come apart.Copy !req
564. Run as you see fit.Copy !req
565. Sometimes you'll get caught,
but that doesn't matter.Copy !req
566. Ty Cobb got caught plenty.Copy !req
567. You just run those bases
like the devil himself.Copy !req
568. Put the natural fear of God in them.Copy !req
569. Yes, sir.Copy !req
570. (ON PA) Train for Atlanta
and points north now boarding.Copy !req
571. Train for Atlanta and points
north now boarding.Copy !req
572. There he is.Copy !req
573. All aboard!Copy !req
574. Young man.Copy !req
575. I can still hear him.Copy !req
576. I can still hear him!Copy !req
577. Play ball!Copy !req
578. (ON PA) And now the lineup
of the visiting Montreal Royals.Copy !req
579. Batting first, playing center field,
Marv Rackley.Copy !req
580. Batting second, playing second base,
Jackie Robinson.Copy !req
581. Batting third, playing left field,
George Shuba.Copy !req
582. Hey, you okay?Copy !req
583. I think I might be sick.Copy !req
584. Excuse me, Wendell.Copy !req
585. Popcorn! Get your popcorn!Copy !req
586. You all right, honey?Copy !req
587. I'm sick.Copy !req
588. Don't know why.Copy !req
589. Mm, thank you.Copy !req
590. When did you have your monthly last?Copy !req
591. It may be that you're pregnant.Copy !req
592. (ON PA) Now batting for Montreal,
number 9, Jackie Robinson.Copy !req
593. Come on, Jack!Copy !req
594. Come on, Jackie.Copy !req
595. - Come on, batter.
- Put it here!Copy !req
596. Whoo!Copy !req
597. He may be superhuman after all.Copy !req
598. Way to go.Copy !req
599. Oh, Jack.Copy !req
600. Yeah.Copy !req
601. My daddy left. Heh.Copy !req
602. He left us flat...Copy !req
603. in Cairo, Georgia.Copy !req
604. I was only six months older
than you are now.Copy !req
605. I don't remember him.Copy !req
606. Nothing good, nothing bad.Copy !req
607. Nothing.Copy !req
608. You will remember me.Copy !req
609. I'm gonna be here with you
till the day I die.Copy !req
610. Yeah.Copy !req
611. (OVER PHONE) Hello, Leo.Copy !req
612. What are you doing?Copy !req
613. I'm bowling.Copy !req
614. No, I'm snowshoeing in the Alps.Copy !req
615. I'm trying to sleep, Mr. Rickey.
It's still dark out.Copy !req
616. Another spring training
is upon us, Leo. In Panama.Copy !req
617. I need to know your attitude
towards Jackie Robinson.Copy !req
618. I don't got an attitude toward him.Copy !req
619. Eight times in the Bible
we're told to love our neighbor as ourself.Copy !req
620. It's one of God's
most repeated commands.Copy !req
621. (OVER PHONE)
Well, I don't know much about the Bible.Copy !req
622. But I didn't go to school
just to eat my lunch.Copy !req
623. I'll play an elephant
if he can help us win...Copy !req
624. and to make room for him,
I'll send my own brother home.Copy !req
625. Oh, what are you gonna do with me?Copy !req
626. We're playing for money here.
Winning is the only thing that matters.Copy !req
627. (OVER PHONE) Is he a nice guy?Copy !req
628. Well, if by nice you mean soft, no.Copy !req
629. No, not particularly.Copy !req
630. Good, he can't afford to be.Copy !req
631. - Nice guys finish last.
- And what about nice girls?Copy !req
632. So you have no objection to him?Copy !req
633. None whatsoever.
Can I go back to sleep now?Copy !req
634. - Yes.
- All right.Copy !req
635. - Oh, and Leo.
- What?Copy !req
636. The Bible has a thing or two
to say about adultery as well.Copy !req
637. I'm sure it's got a lot to say about a lot.
Good night.Copy !req
638. What am I gonna do with you?Copy !req
639. I thought you knew.Copy !req
640. You gonna take care of your mama?Copy !req
641. No? You better.Copy !req
642. Mm-hm.Copy !req
643. You gonna take care of my mama?Copy !req
644. Come here, baby.Copy !req
645. - There you go.
- Come here, baby, I got you.Copy !req
646. Promise me you'll write?Copy !req
647. When have I ever not written?Copy !req
648. I want you to know I'm there for you,
even if it's words on paper.Copy !req
649. Rae...Copy !req
650. you're in my heart.Copy !req
651. You're getting close now, and the closer
you get, the worse they'll be.Copy !req
652. Don't let them get to you.Copy !req
653. I won't.Copy !req
654. God built me to last.Copy !req
655. Hmm.Copy !req
656. I'll see you in Brooklyn in eight weeks, oh.Copy !req
657. It might be Montreal.Copy !req
658. It's gonna be Brooklyn.Copy !req
659. I know it is.Copy !req
660. Why do you think Rickey's got us playing
spring games here in Panama, huh?Copy !req
661. He wants us to get used
to Negro crowds.Copy !req
662. He wants more of them
than there are of us.Copy !req
663. And he's hoping it'll make us more
comfortable being around Robinson.Copy !req
664. Ahem. All right, ahem.Copy !req
665. Listen up. This is what I got.Copy !req
666. "We, the undersigned Brooklyn Dodgers,
will not play ball...Copy !req
667. on the same field as
Jackie Robinson."Copy !req
668. That's right.Copy !req
669. Kirby Higbe.Copy !req
670. - I'll sign that.
- All right.Copy !req
671. Brooklyn Dodger Declaration
of Independence.Copy !req
672. That's right.Copy !req
673. Give me that.Copy !req
674. - Y'all sure about this?
- You wanna play ball with a nigger?Copy !req
675. Skip's got you out in left?Copy !req
676. Yeah, for today.
Hey, Robinson.Copy !req
677. - What do you want me to do with this?
- Well, you play first base.Copy !req
678. Coach, I never played first base
in my life.Copy !req
679. Well, it's like this:Copy !req
680. Brooklyn's got a solid second baseman.
We got Pee Wee Reese over at short.Copy !req
681. But first base is up for grabs.Copy !req
682. Come on in.Copy !req
683. - Hey, Stank.
- What's going on?Copy !req
684. Well, we got a petition going on, Stank.Copy !req
685. Keep Robinson in Montreal.
Where he belongs.Copy !req
686. Can't sign now, boys.Copy !req
687. I'm indisposed.Copy !req
688. How about I just catch up
with you later?Copy !req
689. That ball's coming in a lot faster, Jack.Copy !req
690. The angle's a lot different in second.Copy !req
691. Take all the time in the world on second.
You're getting it.Copy !req
692. That's like you have a suitcase on your
hand there, Jack.Copy !req
693. The new glove, it's the big one there,
Jack. You'll get used to it.Copy !req
694. Give me the pen.Copy !req
695. You know Mr. Rickey wants you
to play conspicuous baseball.Copy !req
696. To be so good that the Dodgers demand
to have you on their team.Copy !req
697. That's it.Copy !req
698. So I thought about it for a while...Copy !req
699. and I looked up "conspicuous"
in the dictionary.Copy !req
700. It means "to attract notice or attention."Copy !req
701. Conspicuous.Copy !req
702. Look, it's like this: I got a wife,
I got a baby and I got no money.Copy !req
703. So I don't wanna step in anything, so...Copy !req
704. You want to skip me on this one, Dix.
I'm not interested.Copy !req
705. - What if they put him at shortstop?
- Exactly.Copy !req
706. That's right, Pee Wee.Copy !req
707. Well, I figure if he's man enough
to take my job...Copy !req
708. - ... he deserves it.
- Ugh.Copy !req
709. Oh, the hell he does.Copy !req
710. He does not have the ice water
in his veins to play big league baseball.Copy !req
711. - That's right.
- So let him show what he's got.Copy !req
712. Robinson can either play or he can't.Copy !req
713. It'll all take care of itself.Copy !req
714. It's gonna cut you off.Copy !req
715. So right foot on the bag when it comes.Copy !req
716. There you go. That's nice, Jackie.
Nice, Jackie. Pop that foot off.Copy !req
717. When that ball comes, that right foot,
just pop that.Copy !req
718. Pop that...
Don't leave that foot on there.Copy !req
719. Yes, Mr. Rickey.Copy !req
720. (OVER PHONE) Have
our friends in the press gone to sleep?Copy !req
721. We are the only people awake
on this entire isthmus, Mr. Rickey.Copy !req
722. About this, uh, petition, Leo.Copy !req
723. I think a deliberate violation
of the law deserves...Copy !req
724. a little show of force.Copy !req
725. I leave it to you, Leo.Copy !req
726. Good night.Copy !req
727. Good night, Mr. Rickey.Copy !req
728. - So, what are we doing here in the night?
- Leo said to get everybody together.Copy !req
729. - I was sleeping good.
- Down in the kitchen?Copy !req
730. Wake up now, ladies! Wake up!Copy !req
731. It has come to my attention that some of
you fellas don't wanna play with Robinson.Copy !req
732. That you've even got a petition you've
drawn up and you're all going to sign.Copy !req
733. You know what you can do
with your petition.Copy !req
734. You can wipe your asses with it.Copy !req
735. - Oh, come on, Leo.
- Come on, what?Copy !req
736. Ballplayers gotta live together,
shower together.Copy !req
737. It ain't fair to force him on us like this.Copy !req
738. Besides, I got a hardware store...Copy !req
739. Screw your hardware store, Dix!
And if you don't like it, screw you.Copy !req
740. Mr. Rickey will be happy
to make other arrangements for you.Copy !req
741. Now, I don't care if he is yellow,
or black...Copy !req
742. or has stripes like a zebra.Copy !req
743. If Robinson can help us win,
and everything I have seen says he can...Copy !req
744. then he is gonna play on this ball club!Copy !req
745. Like it, lump it, make your minds up to it,
because he's coming!Copy !req
746. And think about this
when your heads hit the pillows tonight.Copy !req
747. He's only the first, boys.Copy !req
748. Only the first.Copy !req
749. There are more coming right behind him
every day...Copy !req
750. and they have got talent
and they wanna play.Copy !req
751. Oh, yeah, they are gonna
come scratching and diving.Copy !req
752. So I would forget your petition
and worry about the field...Copy !req
753. because unless you fellas
pay a little more attention to your work...Copy !req
754. they're gonna run you right
out of the ball park!Copy !req
755. Bragan, most of your
teammates have already, uh...Copy !req
756. recanted on this petition nonsense.Copy !req
757. Are you really here to tell me you don't
wanna play with Robinson?Copy !req
758. Yes, sir.Copy !req
759. My friends back in Birmingham
would never forgive me.Copy !req
760. Well, what about your friends
in Brooklyn?Copy !req
761. I don't know.Copy !req
762. Hmm.Copy !req
763. Then I will accommodate you.Copy !req
764. As long as you give me your word that you
will do your very best for this team...Copy !req
765. until I can work out a trade.Copy !req
766. Do you think I would quit on anyone?
I don't quit, sir.Copy !req
767. Only on yourself, apparently.Copy !req
768. Taxi!Copy !req
769. Hey, Jack.Copy !req
770. You again.Copy !req
771. That's right. Me again.Copy !req
772. There something wrong with that, Jack?Copy !req
773. Where's the car?Copy !req
774. Right this way.Copy !req
775. They can't keep you in Montreal
for long.Copy !req
776. After these exhibition games,
they're gonna have to bring you up.Copy !req
777. You don't have two words to rub together,
do you?Copy !req
778. You ever wonder why I sit down
behind third base...Copy !req
779. with my typewriter on my knees?Copy !req
780. Does that ever cross your mind?Copy !req
781. It's because Negro reporters
aren't allowed in the press box.Copy !req
782. So guess what?Copy !req
783. You, Mr. Robinson, are not the only one
with something at stake here.Copy !req
784. I apologize.Copy !req
785. You've been there for me through this...Copy !req
786. more than anyone
besides Rae and Mr. Rickey.Copy !req
787. But I guess that's what bothers me.Copy !req
788. How do you mean?Copy !req
789. I don't like needing someone
to be there for me.Copy !req
790. I don't like needing anyone for anything.Copy !req
791. I never have.Copy !req
792. You a hard case, Jack Robinson.Copy !req
793. Hey.Copy !req
794. Is it okay if I keep driving you, or
should I let you get out so you can walk?Copy !req
795. Hmm?Copy !req
796. "Branch Rickey cannot afford
to upset team chemistry...Copy !req
797. so the only thing keeping Robinson
off the Dodgers now, plainly...Copy !req
798. is the attitude of the players.Copy !req
799. If it softens at the sight
of Jackie's skills...Copy !req
800. he'll join the club sometime
between April 10th and April 15th.Copy !req
801. Otherwise, Robinson will spend the year
back in Montreal."Copy !req
802. Oh, for the love of Pete.Copy !req
803. He batted.625 in the exhibition games
against them.Copy !req
804. Us, them... Against us!Copy !req
805. Judas Priest!Copy !req
806. Jane Ann, are you out there?Copy !req
807. Branch Rickey.Copy !req
808. Yes, uh, this is him.Copy !req
809. The commissioner of what?Copy !req
810. Uh, yes, put him through.Copy !req
811. The Commissioner of Baseball.Copy !req
812. Branch. Ha! How are you?Copy !req
813. (OVER PHONE)
Good, Happy. What can I do for you?Copy !req
814. How'd you feel about losing Durocher
for the year, Branch?Copy !req
815. Uh, I'm sorry, Happy, heh, I thought you said
lose Durocher for a year.Copy !req
816. (OVER PHONE)
I got a notice today...Copy !req
817. from the Catholic Youth Organization
vowing a ban on baseball...Copy !req
818. if Durocher wasn't punished
for his moral looseness.Copy !req
819. You're joking.Copy !req
820. I wish I were, but it's this business
of this actress out in California.Copy !req
821. She's recently divorced
and Durocher's the cause.Copy !req
822. They say they may
even be illegally married.Copy !req
823. Now I know you're joking.Copy !req
824. I'm not.Copy !req
825. Thing of it is, Branch, uh...Copy !req
826. this CYO, they buy a lot of seats,
they draw a lot of water...Copy !req
827. and I can't afford
to ruffle their feathers.Copy !req
828. I'm sorry,
am I mixing my metaphors there?Copy !req
829. Happy, you know very well
my organization is entering a tempest.Copy !req
830. I need Durocher at the helm.Copy !req
831. He's the only man that can handle
this much trouble.Copy !req
832. In fact, he loves it.Copy !req
833. You're cutting off my right hand!Copy !req
834. I have no choice.Copy !req
835. I'm gonna sit your manager, Branch.Copy !req
836. Leo Durocher is suspended from baseball
for a year.Copy !req
837. Happy, you can't do this,
you son of a bitch!Copy !req
838. (OVER RADIO)
As the search continues...Copy !req
839. to replace Leo Durocher,
I have it on good authority...Copy !req
840. that former Yankee manager Joe
McCarthy has turned down the request...Copy !req
841. of Branch Rickey to take the reins
of the Brooklyn Dodgers.Copy !req
842. He is not the only man to say no.Copy !req
843. And so with the 1947 season
about to begin...Copy !req
844. the Dodgers
are still without a manager.Copy !req
845. Now we present once again Mary...Copy !req
846. Hello?Copy !req
847. (OVER PHONE) Mr. Robinson?
This is Jane Ann in Mr. Rickey's office.Copy !req
848. He needs to see you right away.Copy !req
849. He has a contract for you to sign.Copy !req
850. Contract for me to sign.Copy !req
851. Okay.Copy !req
852. Hello?Copy !req
853. Shoot!Copy !req
854. Clyde, you're good.
Jane Ann, get in there.Copy !req
855. Come on.Copy !req
856. Harold, telegram the press. Say this:Copy !req
857. "Today the Brooklyn Dodgers
organization...Copy !req
858. has purchased the contract of Jackie
Robinson from the Montreal Royals.Copy !req
859. He will report immediately."Copy !req
860. I love you.Copy !req
861. I love you.Copy !req
862. Lookie here.Copy !req
863. Hey, you're looking for your locker,
aren't you, son? Follow me.Copy !req
864. I'm Hermanski. Welcome to Brooklyn.Copy !req
865. Greetings.Copy !req
866. Hey, man. Ralph Branca.Copy !req
867. Greetings.Copy !req
868. Greetings. Okay.Copy !req
869. I just found out today. The best I can do.Copy !req
870. I'll get you straightened out tomorrow.
Okay?Copy !req
871. It's okay.Copy !req
872. Robinson, can we get a photo?Copy !req
873. Robinson, turn around!
Come on, come on, Mr. Robinson.Copy !req
874. Good luck, sir!Copy !req
875. Get out of here!
We don't need you!Copy !req
876. Get out of here!Copy !req
877. Yeah! There he is!Copy !req
878. (SINGING) Oh, say can you seeCopy !req
879. By the dawn's early lightCopy !req
880. What so proudly we hailedCopy !req
881. At the twilight's last gleaming?Copy !req
882. Who's broad stripes and bright starsCopy !req
883. Through the perilous fightCopy !req
884. O'er the ramparts we watchedCopy !req
885. Were so gallantly streaming?Copy !req
886. And the rockets red glareCopy !req
887. The bombs bursting in airCopy !req
888. Gave proof through the nightCopy !req
889. That our flag was still thereCopy !req
890. Oh, say
Does that star-spangled banner yet waveCopy !req
891. O'er the land of the freeCopy !req
892. And the home of the braveCopy !req
893. Play ball!Copy !req
894. Another opening day, Harold.Copy !req
895. All future, no past.Copy !req
896. It's a blank page, sir.Copy !req
897. Hello, everybody.Copy !req
898. It's The OI' Redhead speaking here from
high up in the catbird seat at Ebbets Field.Copy !req
899. Welcome to opening day of the 1947
Brooklyn Dodgers season.Copy !req
900. As many of you know,
the Dodgers finished 96-60 last season.Copy !req
901. Respectable, but still two games
behind St. Louis...Copy !req
902. who would, of course, go on to take
the World Series.Copy !req
903. The Dodgers looking to move up this year
and win the pennant.Copy !req
904. (ON PA)
Now batting for the Dodgers...Copy !req
905. One out. Bottom of the 1st.Copy !req
906. Headed to the plate now for his first
big league at bat is Dodger rookie:Copy !req
907. Jackie Robinson.Copy !req
908. Jackie is very definitely brunet.Copy !req
909. The Dodgers still without a manager...Copy !req
910. as Leo Durocher was suspended
earlier this week.Copy !req
911. You got this, Jackie!Copy !req
912. It's a shirtsleeve afternoon.Copy !req
913. Johnny Sain looking in.
When he's got that fastball working...Copy !req
914. what I mean to say is, he can toss
a lamb chop past a hungry wolf.Copy !req
915. Oh, and it's a hard-hit ball down
the third baseline.Copy !req
916. Elliott gobbles it up and makes
the long toss across the diamond.Copy !req
917. You're out!Copy !req
918. And Robinson is out.Copy !req
919. Come on! Ump, get some glasses!Copy !req
920. You blew it! AI, you blew that call!Copy !req
921. You blew it!Copy !req
922. It was a close play at first. A tie
usually goes to the runner but not this time.Copy !req
923. So that first big league hit
will remain to be seen.Copy !req
924. So the Giants got Mize batting cleanup.Copy !req
925. Shame about Leo.Copy !req
926. Inevitable, I suppose.Copy !req
927. I asked him if she was worth it,
he said yes.Copy !req
928. How's the retirement?Copy !req
929. Oh, it's just fine.Copy !req
930. You know, the roses are...Copy !req
931. Hell of a thing
when a man's got good health...Copy !req
932. and plenty of money...Copy !req
933. and absolutely nothing to do.Copy !req
934. Heh, well, I'm perfectly happy.Copy !req
935. Is that so?Copy !req
936. You know, when I took the Cleveland
uniform off two years ago...Copy !req
937. I promised the missus I'd never put
on another uniform again.Copy !req
938. So the roses are beautiful...Copy !req
939. and, uh, I sleep better too.Copy !req
940. Roses and sleep
are two wonderful things, Burt.Copy !req
941. But sleep you can get when you're in your
casket, and flowers look great on top of it.Copy !req
942. But, uh, you don't look like a dead man
to me, Burt.Copy !req
943. What's this about, Branch?Copy !req
944. I need you to manage the Dodgers
for me, Burt.Copy !req
945. - No.
- Now, wait.Copy !req
946. We're a ship without a captain
and there's a typhoon coming.Copy !req
947. I'm sorry, no.Copy !req
948. Don't you miss the game, Burt?Copy !req
949. Working with the players?Copy !req
950. Helping to get the best out of the team?Copy !req
951. Go on, look me in the eye
and tell me you don't.Copy !req
952. Baseball's the only life
for an old pepper pot like me.Copy !req
953. But I promised my wife, Branch.Copy !req
954. You promised her you'd never
put on a uniform again.Copy !req
955. You didn't promise her
you wouldn't manage.Copy !req
956. Wear a suit and a tie like Connie Mack.Copy !req
957. Come on, Burt.Copy !req
958. What do you say?Copy !req
959. Burt, I need you.Copy !req
960. What do you say?Copy !req
961. All right, men. Men?Copy !req
962. Men?Copy !req
963. I know you've all, uh, heard the news.
I'm your new manager.Copy !req
964. I don't have much to say to you.Copy !req
965. Just, uh...Copy !req
966. don't be afraid...Copy !req
967. of old Burt Shotton as your manager.Copy !req
968. You can win the pennant in spite of me.Copy !req
969. There's, uh...Copy !req
970. There's nothing I can do to hurt you.Copy !req
971. So, uh...Copy !req
972. You Robinson?Copy !req
973. I thought so.Copy !req
974. So let's get out there and beat those, uh...
Who are we playing?Copy !req
975. Giants, Burt.Copy !req
976. Giants! Let's go beat the Giants!Copy !req
977. (ON PA) Now batting, number 42...Copy !req
978. first baseman, Jackie Robinson.Copy !req
979. You mark my words and circle this date.Copy !req
980. Negroes are gonna run the white man
straight out of baseball.Copy !req
981. I'm not prejudiced. It's physiological.Copy !req
982. They have a longer heel bone.
Gives them an unfair speed advantage.Copy !req
983. (ON PA) Here's Robinson.
Jack holds that club down by the end...Copy !req
984. rear foot at the back end of the box,
slight open stance, bent at the knees.Copy !req
985. Jack swings.Copy !req
986. That ball is screaming out to left.
Hartung watching it go and...Copy !req
987. So long! Home run!Copy !req
988. Jackie Robinson
has his first Major League home run.Copy !req
989. Was that because his heel bone
was longer, Bob? Hmm?Copy !req
990. "Heel bone longer."Copy !req
991. Sorry I'm late. Class ran long.Copy !req
992. That's okay.Copy !req
993. It's so cold and raw out, I don't want
him getting sick at the game.Copy !req
994. Fed him already.Copy !req
995. All of his bits are on the table
over there.Copy !req
996. He'll be nice and warm in here.Copy !req
997. Thank you, Alice.Copy !req
998. Bottom of the 1st.Copy !req
999. The skies are leaden now.
Pretty threatening.Copy !req
1000. Eddie Stanky, safe at first.Copy !req
1001. And Jackie Robinson stepping
to the plate.Copy !req
1002. There's a slight breeze coming in
from right field, blowing towards left.Copy !req
1003. It shouldn't give much of an advantage
to the right-handed hitters.Copy !req
1004. Hey! nigger!Copy !req
1005. Black nigger!Copy !req
1006. Hey, why don't you go back to the cotton
fields where you come from, huh?Copy !req
1007. I saw you swing your way
out of a jungle.Copy !req
1008. Chapman, the Phillies manager, seems
to be chirping something out to Robinson.Copy !req
1009. Chapman, a hothead
during his playing days...Copy !req
1010. has carried that reputation right
into his managing.Copy !req
1011. He's got half a mind, Jackie.Copy !req
1012. Take that monkey out now!Copy !req
1013. You all right? You don't look all right.Copy !req
1014. Nigger, nigger, nigger!Copy !req
1015. Come on, nigger, nigger, nigger!Copy !req
1016. Whoa!Copy !req
1017. Welcome to the big leagues, rook!Copy !req
1018. Come on, now, get up.Copy !req
1019. Can't take the heat,
get out of the kitchen, rook.Copy !req
1020. Right, Bobby, heh?Copy !req
1021. Those are nice dance moves, Bojangles.Copy !req
1022. Leave your hat on the ground, maybe
somebody'll throw some money in it, huh?Copy !req
1023. Put on a little show, nigger.Copy !req
1024. Do a little shuffle.Copy !req
1025. - Come on, midnight!
- He's all right, he's all right.Copy !req
1026. All right, nigger.Copy !req
1027. Let's do this. You ought to be careful
in this sunshine.Copy !req
1028. Tar baby skin gonna melt.Copy !req
1029. Whoa!
You can't hit that?Copy !req
1030. One more! Strike him!Copy !req
1031. Why don't you get that boy
that you sent down...Copy !req
1032. to the International League, huh?Copy !req
1033. That's where Africans play, ain't it?Copy !req
1034. Who was that?Copy !req
1035. Who'd you put out of a job, nigger?Copy !req
1036. Come on, Jackie.Copy !req
1037. Robinson, waiting for the pitch.Copy !req
1038. Swings, and it's a fly ball out to left.Copy !req
1039. Ennis settles under it for the out.Copy !req
1040. Sky's starting to clear now,
the sun pushing its way through.Copy !req
1041. Nigger can't play.Copy !req
1042. It's all right, he can take it.Copy !req
1043. God built him to last.Copy !req
1044. No score, bottom of the 4th.Copy !req
1045. Spider Jorgensen
taking a small lead off first.Copy !req
1046. Jorgensen, a rookie,
spent last season in Montreal.Copy !req
1047. Here's the pitch.Copy !req
1048. And Stanky lines a single
out to right field.Copy !req
1049. Three!Copy !req
1050. Hung low. Now there you go.Copy !req
1051. Jackie Robinson.Copy !req
1052. Hey!Copy !req
1053. Hey, Pee Wee!Copy !req
1054. Hey, what's this nigger doing
for you all...Copy !req
1055. that you let him drink out
of the same water fountain as you?Copy !req
1056. Huh?Copy !req
1057. I hope you don't take showers
with him.Copy !req
1058. Because you gonna be a mess!Copy !req
1059. Hey! nigger!Copy !req
1060. You like white women, huh?Copy !req
1061. Hey, which one of these Dodger wives
are you climbing on tonight?Copy !req
1062. Time!Copy !req
1063. Wait, timeout, hold on.
He's gotta take a nap.Copy !req
1064. Hey, which one is it?Copy !req
1065. I think I know!Copy !req
1066. Dixie?Copy !req
1067. Sorry. Dixie,
I hate to be the one to tell you.Copy !req
1068. I saw her walking earlier
with a little bit of a bow in her step.Copy !req
1069. It'll be fine.Copy !req
1070. It'll be fine. He looks like a nice boy.Copy !req
1071. That right, boy?Copy !req
1072. Come on, nigger, nigger, nigger!Copy !req
1073. Two men on for Robinson.Copy !req
1074. Here's the pitch from Leonard.Copy !req
1075. Swung on,
and it's a towering infield pop-up.Copy !req
1076. Seminick settles under it.Copy !req
1077. - Hey, is that a home run?
- Yeah.Copy !req
1078. If you're playing in an elevator shaft.Copy !req
1079. Can of corn, and Robinson is out.Copy !req
1080. You don't belong here, nigger!Copy !req
1081. You hear me?
Why don't you look in the mirror?Copy !req
1082. This a white man's game.Copy !req
1083. All right? Get that through
your thick monkey skull!Copy !req
1084. Look at me, baby.Copy !req
1085. Look at me, baby. Look at me.Copy !req
1086. No!Copy !req
1087. No.Copy !req
1088. The next white son of a bitch
that opens his mouth...Copy !req
1089. I'll smash his goddamn teeth in.Copy !req
1090. You can't do that, Jack.Copy !req
1091. I'm supposed to just let this go on?Copy !req
1092. These men have to live with themselves.Copy !req
1093. I have to live with myself too.Copy !req
1094. Right now I'm living a sermon out there.Copy !req
1095. You don't matter now, Jack.Copy !req
1096. You're in this thing.Copy !req
1097. You don't have the right to pull out
from the backing of people...Copy !req
1098. that believe in you, that respect you,
that need you.Copy !req
1099. Is that so?Copy !req
1100. If you fight, they won't say
that Chapman forced you to.Copy !req
1101. They'll say that you're in over your head.
That you don't belong here.Copy !req
1102. Do you know what it's like having
somebody do this to you?Copy !req
1103. No.Copy !req
1104. No.Copy !req
1105. You do.Copy !req
1106. You're the one...Copy !req
1107. living the sermon.Copy !req
1108. In the wilderness.Copy !req
1109. Forty days.Copy !req
1110. All of it.Copy !req
1111. Only you.Copy !req
1112. There's not a goddamn thing I can do
about it.Copy !req
1113. Of course there is!Copy !req
1114. You can get out there and hit!Copy !req
1115. You can get on base and score.Copy !req
1116. You can win this game for us.Copy !req
1117. We need you.Copy !req
1118. Everybody needs you!Copy !req
1119. You're medicine, Jack!Copy !req
1120. Let's go, fellas.Copy !req
1121. They're taking the field.Copy !req
1122. Now, get out there.Copy !req
1123. Be smart, fellas.Copy !req
1124. Let's go!Copy !req
1125. Who's playing first?Copy !req
1126. I'm gonna need a new bat.Copy !req
1127. Eight zeros on the scoreboard
for the Phi/lies, seven for the Dodgers.Copy !req
1128. No score,
with the bottom of the 8th coming up.Copy !req
1129. All right, nigger.Copy !req
1130. Hey, boy!Copy !req
1131. Porch monkey!Copy !req
1132. Hey, nigger, I know you can hear me.Copy !req
1133. You know what you're here for,
don't you, huh?Copy !req
1134. You're here to get the nigger dollars
for Rickey at the gate.Copy !req
1135. You don't belong here, nigger!Copy !req
1136. Sit down.
You sit down or I sit you down.Copy !req
1137. What's the problem, Stank?Copy !req
1138. You're the problem, you disgrace.
What the hell kind of man are you?Copy !req
1139. You know he can't fight back. Why don't
you try picking on someone who can.Copy !req
1140. I'm not gonna fight you,
get thrown out of the game.Copy !req
1141. Stanky now having a chin-wag
with his ex-teammate Chapman.Copy !req
1142. Both men, masters of distraction.Copy !req
1143. Stanky from second
and Chapman from the dugout.Copy !req
1144. We'll have to wait and see
what the umpire does...Copy !req
1145. since he's well within his rights
to kick Stanky out.Copy !req
1146. Hey, 12! That's enough.
Back to the dugout.Copy !req
1147. You shut your mouth or I shut it for you.Copy !req
1148. This ain't happening.Copy !req
1149. Hey, Stank? What's it like
being a nigger's nigger?Copy !req
1150. I don't know, Chapman. What's it
like to be a redneck piece of shit?Copy !req
1151. Robinson up.Copy !req
1152. Here's the pitch.Copy !req
1153. And Jack pokes a soft hit past second.Copy !req
1154. Sorry!Copy !req
1155. Not much of a hit to speak of,
but Jackie is standing on first.Copy !req
1156. Go, Jackie.Copy !req
1157. (ON PA)
Center fielder, number 7, Pete Reiser.Copy !req
1158. Mr. Pete Reiser steps up
into the batter's box.Copy !req
1159. Robinson with another big lead off first.Copy !req
1160. He's just as restless
as a cat with a hot foot.Copy !req
1161. Back.Copy !req
1162. - Whoa!
- Safe!Copy !req
1163. The Flatbush faithful
voicing their approval of Jack...Copy !req
1164. as this type of scrappy play...Copy !req
1165. is exactly what they've grown
to expect of their beloved Bums.Copy !req
1166. Play now.Copy !req
1167. Work it.Copy !req
1168. Steal it, sweetheart. Take it.Copy !req
1169. - Strike three, you're out.
- He's going!Copy !req
1170. Down!
Safe!Copy !req
1171. The Dodgers,
with an excellent chance...Copy !req
1172. as Robinson has willed himself
into scoring position.Copy !req
1173. Thattaboy.Copy !req
1174. Young Gene Hermanski
steps to the plate, playing right today.Copy !req
1175. Come on!Copy !req
1176. Hermanski cracks a single to left...Copy !req
1177. and Robinson is able to trot home
for the first run...Copy !req
1178. that may also be the decider.Copy !req
1179. All right.Copy !req
1180. Jackie!
All right!Copy !req
1181. Hey, Robinson!Copy !req
1182. Thanks.Copy !req
1183. For what?Copy !req
1184. You're on my team.
What the hell am I supposed to do?Copy !req
1185. Nice hit.Copy !req
1186. All this fuss over a rookie.Copy !req
1187. What, he's got 10, 12 at bats.Copy !req
1188. Y'all gonna spoil him.Copy !req
1189. Chapman,
do you think it cost you the game?Copy !req
1190. No. I think that a single out
to the left field cost us the game.Copy !req
1191. You think you were a little hard
on Robinson?Copy !req
1192. No. Look, we treat him the same way
we treat Hank Greenberg...Copy !req
1193. except we call him a kike
instead of a coon.Copy !req
1194. Whenever we play exhibitions
with the Yankees...Copy !req
1195. we call Joe DiMaggio "The Wop."Copy !req
1196. All right? They laugh about it.Copy !req
1197. And it's forgotten when the game's over.Copy !req
1198. I don't care if they like me.Copy !req
1199. I didn't come here to make friends.Copy !req
1200. I don't even care if they respect me.
I know who I am.Copy !req
1201. Got enough respect for myself.Copy !req
1202. But I do not want them to beat me.Copy !req
1203. They're never gonna beat you.Copy !req
1204. They came close today.Copy !req
1205. I'm going in that Phillies dugout
tomorrow...Copy !req
1206. and I'm gonna wring
Ben Chapman's neck!Copy !req
1207. Did I say something funny?Copy !req
1208. When I first told you about Robinson,
Harold...Copy !req
1209. you were against it.Copy !req
1210. Now, all of the sudden
you're worried about him.Copy !req
1211. Wonder how that happened.Copy !req
1212. - Why, any decent-minded person would...
- Sympathy, Harold.Copy !req
1213. It's a Greek word. It means "to suffer."Copy !req
1214. "I sympathize with you"
means "I suffer with you."Copy !req
1215. That Philadelphia manager is, uh...Copy !req
1216. He's doing me a service.Copy !req
1217. - A service?
- Yes.Copy !req
1218. He's creating sympathy
on Jackie's behalf.Copy !req
1219. "Philadelphia" is Greek.Copy !req
1220. Means "brotherly love."Copy !req
1221. (OVER INTERCOM)
Bob Bragan to see you, Mr. Rickey.Copy !req
1222. What in Satan's fire does he want?Copy !req
1223. All right, send him in.Copy !req
1224. What do you want, Bragan?Copy !req
1225. Uh, Mr. Rickey, I, uh...Copy !req
1226. - I would like, um...
- What do you want?Copy !req
1227. I'd like to not be traded, sir.Copy !req
1228. If it's not too late.Copy !req
1229. What about Robinson?Copy !req
1230. The world's changing.Copy !req
1231. I guess I can live with the change.Copy !req
1232. I mean, I can't believe it.
I speak my mind, and they trade me.Copy !req
1233. This ain't the America I know.Copy !req
1234. Uh-uh. Home of the free, land of the brave?
You hear me?Copy !req
1235. Where they sending you, Hig?Copy !req
1236. Pittsburgh.Copy !req
1237. For cash and some Italian outfielder
named Gionfriddo.Copy !req
1238. Pittsburgh. I mean...Copy !req
1239. Good luck, boys. You gonna need it.Copy !req
1240. Pittsburgh!Copy !req
1241. Branch, it's Herb.Copy !req
1242. (OVER PHONE)
Herb. What can I do for you?Copy !req
1243. Branch,
how long have we known each other?Copy !req
1244. Oh, 20 years, maybe more.Copy !req
1245. That's right.
Been over some solid road together.Copy !req
1246. So, urn, you can trust me when I tell you
Brooklyn's due here tomorrow...Copy !req
1247. but you cannot bring
that nigger down here...Copy !req
1248. (OVER PHONE) ... with the rest of your team.Copy !req
1249. Why's that, Herb?Copy !req
1250. His name is Jackie Robinson,
by the way.Copy !req
1251. Yeah, Branch,
I understand he's got a name...Copy !req
1252. but we're just not ready for that sort
of thing here in Philadelphia.Copy !req
1253. We're not gonna be able to take the field
against your team if that boy's in uniform.Copy !req
1254. Well, what you do with your team
is your decision, Herb.Copy !req
1255. But my team's gonna be
in Philadelphia tomorrow...Copy !req
1256. (OVER PHONE) ... with Robinson.Copy !req
1257. And if we have to claim the game
as a forfeit, so be it.Copy !req
1258. That's 9-0...Copy !req
1259. (OVER PHONE) ... in case you forgot.Copy !req
1260. You've had a hell of a hair across your ass
over this for a long time.Copy !req
1261. I'd like to know
what it is you're trying to prove.Copy !req
1262. You think God likes baseball, Herb?Copy !req
1263. What...? What the hell
is that supposed to mean?Copy !req
1264. It means someday
you're gonna meet God...Copy !req
1265. and when he inquires
as why you didn't take the field...Copy !req
1266. against Robinson in Philadelphia...Copy !req
1267. and you answer
that it's because he was a Negro...Copy !req
1268. it may not be a sufficient reply!Copy !req
1269. Okay, guys, we got 20 minutes to check in
and get to Shibe, so chop-chop!Copy !req
1270. Hey!Copy !req
1271. Hey. Out.Copy !req
1272. And get that bus out of here.Copy !req
1273. Oh, no, no, no, we have reservations.
We're the Dodgers.Copy !req
1274. No, your team is not welcome here. Not
while you have ball club Negroes with you.Copy !req
1275. You just mean that Robinson can't stay,
right?Copy !req
1276. No, I mean your entire team
has been refused.Copy !req
1277. - We've been staying here for 10 years.
- And you can stay away that long too.Copy !req
1278. Hold on. Now, wait,
we should talk about this.Copy !req
1279. Who put you up to this?
Is it the Phillies?Copy !req
1280. They're not gonna let us stay here,
fellas.Copy !req
1281. They don't want us here.Copy !req
1282. Yeah, well maybe 42's got enough friends
in town we can bunk up.Copy !req
1283. It's the rule we're gonna go with.
We've got reservations.Copy !req
1284. - Why is that?
- That is the rule!Copy !req
1285. What's that supposed to mean?Copy !req
1286. It's not supposed to mean a thing.Copy !req
1287. When you can't get in hotels,
you got people's houses you stay at.Copy !req
1288. Ain't that right?Copy !req
1289. What?Copy !req
1290. What do you want from me, Walker?Copy !req
1291. An apology.Copy !req
1292. You want an apology? For what?Copy !req
1293. For places like this?Copy !req
1294. No. For turning this season
into a damn sideshow.Copy !req
1295. - Hey, fellas.
- I'm a ballplayer, all right?Copy !req
1296. - I'm here to play ball!
- So am I.Copy !req
1297. I'm hereto win.Copy !req
1298. We want to win.
We on the same page?Copy !req
1299. Well, how we supposed
to win sleeping on a bus?Copy !req
1300. Maybe it'll do you some good
the way you been swinging the bat.Copy !req
1301. - Hey, you watch your mouth!
- Hey, you watch your hand.Copy !req
1302. - Don't you ever talk to me like that again!
- Watch your hand!Copy !req
1303. You hear me? Watch yourself!Copy !req
1304. - You spit on me now?
- If I spit on you, it'd be an improvement.Copy !req
1305. - That's it. You go home, all right?
- All right, that's enough!Copy !req
1306. Hey, hey! Get used to it, fellas.
This how it's gonna be.Copy !req
1307. We show up, the circus is in town!Copy !req
1308. I'm not going anywhere!Copy !req
1309. I'm right here!Copy !req
1310. "There is a great lynch mob among us.Copy !req
1311. They go unhooded
and work without a rope."Copy !req
1312. That's you, not me.Copy !req
1313. "We must remember
that all this country's enemies...Copy !req
1314. are not beyond the frontiers
of our homeland."Copy !req
1315. A Jew probably wrote that.Copy !req
1316. I don't care who wrote it.
It's in the damn papers!Copy !req
1317. This is not good, Ben.Copy !req
1318. Makes the entire Phillies organization
look racist.Copy !req
1319. You gotta do something about it.Copy !req
1320. Me? Look, I'm defending baseball.Copy !req
1321. It's time for you to step up
and defend the Phillies.Copy !req
1322. This started on the field, it's gonna end on
the field, and we're done talking about it.Copy !req
1323. All right.Copy !req
1324. - Hey, fellas.
- Hey.Copy !req
1325. Excuse me. Hi. Jackie.Copy !req
1326. Uh, Wendell, um...Copy !req
1327. A request came in.Copy !req
1328. Uh, Ben Chapman, he's the, uh, manager
for the Phillies. You knew that.Copy !req
1329. Uh, he'd like his photo taken with you.Copy !req
1330. You been drinking, Harold?Copy !req
1331. No. No. I wish.Copy !req
1332. No, Mr. Rickey, uh,
he thinks it's a good idea.Copy !req
1333. He says it's gonna be in every sports page
across the country.Copy !req
1334. An example that even the most hardened
man can change.Copy !req
1335. Chapman hasn't changed.
He's just trying to save face.Copy !req
1336. Mr. Rickey says it doesn't matter
if he's changed.Copy !req
1337. As long as it looks like he's changed.Copy !req
1338. Jackie, you've seen the questions
come in slow.Copy !req
1339. Now, just see this photo come in
even slower.Copy !req
1340. Chapman said he'd come down here.
Or, uh, he could meet you in the runway.Copy !req
1341. No.Copy !req
1342. On the field.Copy !req
1343. Where everyone can see.Copy !req
1344. Did World War Ill break out?
Look at all of y'all.Copy !req
1345. They even dug you up, Baum.
This must be important.Copy !req
1346. Listen, I want to say something, uh...Copy !req
1347. Jackie's been accepted into baseball...Copy !req
1348. and the Philadelphia organization
wish him all the luck that we can.Copy !req
1349. I just hope that our trial of fire
has helped him along.Copy !req
1350. How about a picture?
You shake hands. Bury the hatchet.Copy !req
1351. You wanna bury the hatchet?Copy !req
1352. Sure.Copy !req
1353. We'll use a bat.Copy !req
1354. That way we don't have to touch skin.Copy !req
1355. - All right.
- Come on, fellas.Copy !req
1356. - All right, do it.
- That's good. Right here.Copy !req
1357. One more. This way, Ben.Copy !req
1358. It's Ostermueller on the mound.Copy !req
1359. Ostermueller, deliberate.Copy !req
1360. What I mean to say is, he's one of
the slowest working pitchers in the game.Copy !req
1361. Here's the windup. And...Copy !req
1362. Oh, my! He hit Jackie Robinson right
in the head. And Jackie is down!Copy !req
1363. What are you doing out there,
Ostermueller?Copy !req
1364. Hey!Copy !req
1365. Ostermueller, you creep!
You gotta bat too! Don't you forget it!Copy !req
1366. Hey, I'm ready, you wop bastard!Copy !req
1367. Oh, yeah? "Wop bastard"?
It's coming between your eyes.Copy !req
1368. - I'm gonna come like a kamikaze!
- He doesn't belong here!Copy !req
1369. Get off! Knock it off!Copy !req
1370. I'll send you back
to Schmeling and Goering...Copy !req
1371. and the rest of your dead
Kraut buddies!Copy !req
1372. You want some, Piner?Copy !req
1373. He doesn't belong here!Copy !req
1374. They're just ignorant.Copy !req
1375. Hmm?Copy !req
1376. If they knew you,
they would be ashamed.Copy !req
1377. What can I do for you, Pee Wee?Copy !req
1378. Well, Mr. Rickey, it's like this.Copy !req
1379. The series in Cincinnati next week?Copy !req
1380. Yes. Important road trip.Copy !req
1381. - We're only three games out of first.
- Yes, sir.Copy !req
1382. Now, you know I'm from Kentucky.Copy !req
1383. Then Cincinnati
will nearly be a home game for you.Copy !req
1384. Well...Copy !req
1385. I got this letter.Copy !req
1386. Apparently, some people aren't too happy
about me playing with Robinson.Copy !req
1387. Huh?Copy !req
1388. "Nigger lover.Copy !req
1389. Watch yourself.Copy !req
1390. We'll get you, carpetbagger."Copy !req
1391. Pretty typical stuff.Copy !req
1392. Well, it's not typical to me, sir.Copy !req
1393. How many of those letters
have you gotten, Pee Wee?Copy !req
1394. Just the one. Ain't that enough?Copy !req
1395. What are those?Copy !req
1396. Well, I'll tell you what they aren't.Copy !req
1397. They aren't letters
from the Jackie Robinson fan club.Copy !req
1398. "Get out of baseball
or your baby boy will die."Copy !req
1399. "Quit baseball or your nigger wife..."Copy !req
1400. "Get out of the game or be killed."Copy !req
1401. Does Jackie know?Copy !req
1402. Well, of course he does.Copy !req
1403. And the FBI.Copy !req
1404. They're taking a threat in Cincinnati
pretty seriously.Copy !req
1405. So excuse me if I don't get too upset
about you getting called a carpetbagger.Copy !req
1406. You should be proud.Copy !req
1407. Well, I'd just like to play ball, sir.
That's all.Copy !req
1408. Oh, I understand.Copy !req
1409. I bet Jackie just wants to play ball.Copy !req
1410. I bet he wishes he wasn't leading
the League in hit by pitch.Copy !req
1411. I bet he wishes people didn't want
to kill him.Copy !req
1412. The world's not so simple anymore.Copy !req
1413. Guess it never was.Copy !req
1414. We just, uh...Copy !req
1415. Baseball ignored it, now we can't.Copy !req
1416. Yes, sir.Copy !req
1417. No hits, no runs for
the Dodgers. The Reds are coming to bat.Copy !req
1418. How many times
do you think Pee Wee's gonna score?Copy !req
1419. Well, I don't know, son.Copy !req
1420. I remember when I was a kid, I saw Honus
Wagner play, scored three times that day.Copy !req
1421. - We'll just have to wait and see.
- Wow, that would be great.Copy !req
1422. We don't want you here!Copy !req
1423. Hey! Hey, Nigger boy!Copy !req
1424. Get the hell out of Cincinnati!Copy !req
1425. We don't want you here!Copy !req
1426. Go back to Brooklyn!Copy !req
1427. You the batboy, sambo?Copy !req
1428. Hey, nigger! I'm talking to you!Copy !req
1429. Get the hell out of Cincinnati!
We don't want you here, boy!Copy !req
1430. Nigger!Copy !req
1431. We don't want you here!Copy !req
1432. Cincinnati fans expressing their
displeasure as the Dodgers take the field.Copy !req
1433. Jackie Robinson at first.
"The Brat" Eddie Stanky at second.Copy !req
1434. Spider Jorgensen at third. And
the captain, Pee Wee Reese, at short.Copy !req
1435. Fans, ask any man and they'll tell you,
the Gillette Superspeed razor is a honey.Copy !req
1436. Maybe the sweetest shaving razor
you'll ever use.Copy !req
1437. Look sharp, feel sharp, be sharp.Copy !req
1438. We don't want no niggers here!Copy !req
1439. They can say all they want.
We're just here to play ball.Copy !req
1440. Get him off the field!Copy !req
1441. It's just a bunch of crackpots
still fighting the Civil War.Copy !req
1442. Well, we'd have won that son of a gun
if the cornstalks would have held out.Copy !req
1443. We just ran out of ammunition.Copy !req
1444. Better luck next time, Pee Wee.Copy !req
1445. Ain't gonna be a next time, Jackie.Copy !req
1446. Hey, Reese! Carpetbagger!Copy !req
1447. All we got's right here. Right now.
You know what I mean?Copy !req
1448. Thank you, Jackie.Copy !req
1449. What are you thanking me for?Copy !req
1450. I got family up there from Louisville.Copy !req
1451. I need them to know.Copy !req
1452. I need them to know who I am.Copy !req
1453. Hey, number 1!Copy !req
1454. You playing ball or socializing?Copy !req
1455. Playing ball, ump.Copy !req
1456. Play ball!
Don't let them get to you!Copy !req
1457. Playing ball.Copy !req
1458. Maybe tomorrow we'll all wear 42.
That way they won't tell us apart.Copy !req
1459. Come on, Jackie!Copy !req
1460. Let me ask you something, Jackie.Copy !req
1461. How come you never shower
until everybody else is done?Copy !req
1462. What are you, shy?Copy !req
1463. I don't want to make anyone feel
uncomfortable.Copy !req
1464. We're a team. On a hot streak.Copy !req
1465. Come on, half those wins
were on account of you.Copy !req
1466. You're the bravest guy I ever saw.Copy !req
1467. You're leading us,
you're afraid to take a shower? Heh.Copy !req
1468. Come on, take a shower with me, Jackie.Copy !req
1469. I didn't mean it like...Copy !req
1470. That came out wrong. I was not saying
just take a shower with me.Copy !req
1471. I was saying, why don't we all go
and take a shower.Copy !req
1472. - Like, why...?
- Heh.Copy !req
1473. As a team,
why don't we shower together.Copy !req
1474. - Heh. Branca?
- Yeah.Copy !req
1475. - Stop.
- Yeah.Copy !req
1476. I'm stopping.Copy !req
1477. We're in the last of a four-game
series with the Cardinals.Copy !req
1478. These two teams are in a dogfight for first.
Top of the 11th now, all tied up at 2.Copy !req
1479. For those of you just tuning in,
how did we get here?Copy !req
1480. Well, it's been double trouble...Copy !req
1481. as Robinson knocked in Stanky
with a double in the 3rd.Copy !req
1482. Shoot two! Shoot two!Copy !req
1483. And Dixie Walker did
the same with a double in the 8th.Copy !req
1484. Second base! Second base!Copy !req
1485. But it wasn't enough...Copy !req
1486. as the Cardinals
tied it up with two of their own in the 9th.Copy !req
1487. This game is crucial to the Red Birds.Copy !req
1488. They are five games out...Copy !req
1489. with the Dodgers not having
relinquished first place since June 30th.Copy !req
1490. They call him "Country."Copy !req
1491. Slaughter's hitless in four trips. "Fireman"
Casey in his second inning of relief.Copy !req
1492. This game is just as tight
as a new pair of shoes on a rainy day.Copy !req
1493. Casey goes into his windup.Copy !req
1494. Slaughter hits a hard ground ball right at
Reese, who fires it over to Jack at first.Copy !req
1495. Oh, my!Copy !req
1496. Robinson is down. Slaughter spiked him
high up on the leg and he is down.Copy !req
1497. Goddamn it! You knew
what you were doing! You spiked my guy!Copy !req
1498. Get up, Jackie.Copy !req
1499. Get him up, boys, get him up.Copy !req
1500. Stay off it. Team doc will be out.Copy !req
1501. Hugh, next guy up, you hit him right
in the head. You clean his clock.Copy !req
1502. - No. Get me up.
No, lay down, man. You're staying.Copy !req
1503. No. Get me up!Copy !req
1504. Easy, kid.Copy !req
1505. Just get him out.Copy !req
1506. Just get him out.Copy !req
1507. Understand?Copy !req
1508. Game's too important.Copy !req
1509. Just get him out.Copy !req
1510. Go play ball.Copy !req
1511. - You a tough man, Jackie.
- Let's get him out.Copy !req
1512. Jackie, what are saying?
He spiked you on purpose?Copy !req
1513. You saw the play.Copy !req
1514. My foot was on the inside of the bag,
he was out, but he kept coming.Copy !req
1515. - It was on purpose?
- Slaughter said it was an accident.Copy !req
1516. What are you asking me for then?Copy !req
1517. - Are you calling Slaughter a liar?
- Is he a liar?Copy !req
1518. Am I calling him a liar?
What are you gonna write?Copy !req
1519. - Get out of here! Get out!
- Come on, Rickey, let him finish the story!Copy !req
1520. Go on, let me talk to my first baseman.Copy !req
1521. - Is he a liar, Jackie?
- Go!Copy !req
1522. - All right, all right.
- Getting stitched up, for Pete's sake.Copy !req
1523. Just trying to do our job, Rickey.Copy !req
1524. Looks good, Babe.
Thank you, sir.Copy !req
1525. Sticking up for himself
is something you'd expect of any man.Copy !req
1526. Some find it galling in a Negro.Copy !req
1527. You know what I saw this morning?Copy !req
1528. I was passing a sandlot,
little white boy was up at bat.Copy !req
1529. You know what he was doing?Copy !req
1530. Sitting on a fastball?Copy !req
1531. He was pretending he was you.Copy !req
1532. Rubbing dirt on his hands.Copy !req
1533. Swinging with his arms outstretched,
like you do.Copy !req
1534. Little white boy
pretending he is a black man.Copy !req
1535. Why'd you do this, Mr. Rickey?Copy !req
1536. We had a victory over fascism
in Germany.Copy !req
1537. It's time we had a victory
over racism at home.Copy !req
1538. No.Copy !req
1539. Why?Copy !req
1540. Why'd you do it?Copy !req
1541. Come on.Copy !req
1542. Tell me.Copy !req
1543. I love this game.Copy !req
1544. I love baseball.Copy !req
1545. Given my whole life to it.Copy !req
1546. Forty-odd years ago, I was a player-coach
at Ohio Wesleyan University.Copy !req
1547. We had a Negro catcher.
Best hitter on the team.Copy !req
1548. Charlie Thomas. Fine young man.Copy !req
1549. I saw him laid low, broken,
because of the color of his skin.Copy !req
1550. And I didn't do enough to help.Copy !req
1551. Told myself I did, but I didn't.Copy !req
1552. There was something unfair
at the heart of the game I loved.Copy !req
1553. And I ignored it.Copy !req
1554. But a time came...Copy !req
1555. when I could no longer do that.Copy !req
1556. You...Copy !req
1557. You let me love baseball again.Copy !req
1558. Thank you.Copy !req
1559. Last long road trip of the year.Copy !req
1560. And two long faces, huh?Copy !req
1561. Try not to lunge at the plate.Copy !req
1562. You serious?Copy !req
1563. That's why they're throwing
the fastballs inside.Copy !req
1564. Fight those inside fastballs off...Copy !req
1565. sooner or later they won't be able
to help but throw a curve.Copy !req
1566. And what'll happen then, coach?Copy !req
1567. - Is that right?
- Mm-hm.Copy !req
1568. Well, you know,
if we win enough of these next games...Copy !req
1569. we bring home the pennant.Copy !req
1570. You bring yourself home.Copy !req
1571. That'll be plenty.Copy !req
1572. You're in my heart.Copy !req
1573. Since the 4th of July, the Brooklyn
Dodgers have gone on a hot streak...Copy !req
1574. holding off all challengers.Copy !req
1575. During that time
and during this season...Copy !req
1576. I have watched Jackie Robinson
submerge himself...Copy !req
1577. to serve something greater.Copy !req
1578. And I don't mean the Brooklyn Dodgers,
though he's doing that too.Copy !req
1579. The man flat-out has guts.Copy !req
1580. A stand-up force of nature,
he's complicated everything but himself.Copy !req
1581. He's changing the world
and refusing to let it change him.Copy !req
1582. But baseball isn't tennis.Copy !req
1583. It takes a team.Copy !req
1584. Joining together was a start.Copy !req
1585. Staying together, a big step forward.Copy !req
1586. But working together is how you win.Copy !req
1587. Out!Copy !req
1588. Jackie, you son of a gun,
I could kiss you!Copy !req
1589. Nice catch.Copy !req
1590. Yours or mine? Heh.Copy !req
1591. Down the stretch
on the last long road trip of the year...Copy !req
1592. Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn
Dodgers are doing exactly that.Copy !req
1593. They're holding off the Cardinals
and streaking towards the pennant.Copy !req
1594. Boss, we did it.Copy !req
1595. We did it, we swept Cincinnati!Copy !req
1596. (OVER PHONE) Great, Harold.Copy !req
1597. One more win could do it.Copy !req
1598. Who's pitching tomorrow
for the Pirates?Copy !req
1599. Ostermueller.Copy !req
1600. Fritz Ostermueller on the mound.Copy !req
1601. He's 12-8 on the season.Copy !req
1602. A big game today in Pittsburgh.Copy !req
1603. A win and the Dodgers will have clinched
the National League pennant...Copy !req
1604. Yankees having already clinched
in the American League.Copy !req
1605. There's bad blood here...Copy !req
1606. as Ostermueller beaned Robinson
in the head earlier in the season...Copy !req
1607. prompting quite a rhubarb at the time.Copy !req
1608. Teams have gone
their separate ways since...Copy !req
1609. with Ostermueller left standing
in the Dodgers' way...Copy !req
1610. as they chase the pennant
that eluded them last year.Copy !req
1611. Come on, Jackie, let's go!Copy !req
1612. Here comes the pitch.Copy !req
1613. And Robinson takes outside. Ball one.Copy !req
1614. - Come on, Fritz, let's get this boy!
- You don't belong here.Copy !req
1615. And you never will.Copy !req
1616. Robinson crowding the plate.Copy !req
1617. Jack hasn't backed down
to a pitcher all season.Copy !req
1618. There you go, Jackie!Copy !req
1619. You got nothing for him, Ostermueller!
But he's got something for you!Copy !req
1620. Ostermueller winds and throws.Copy !req
1621. Low and away, ball two.Copy !req
1622. Fritz seems
to be pitching around Jackie...Copy !req
1623. or as they say in the trade,
trying to get him to chase.Copy !req
1624. Robinson's having
a fine rookie standard...Copy !req
1625. batting.301 with 31 doubles
and 10 home runs.Copy !req
1626. He has stolen 27 bases this season
and has yet to be thrown out attempting.Copy !req
1627. Needless to say,
Ostermueller being careful with him.Copy !req
1628. (OVER RADIO) It's 3-0 now.Copy !req
1629. Robinson patient,
waiting for something he can swing on.Copy !req
1630. Give me something.Copy !req
1631. Give me something I can hit.Copy !req
1632. You want it?Copy !req
1633. What are you afraid of?Copy !req
1634. What are you afraid of?Copy !req
1635. Ostermueller looking in for the sign.Copy !req
1636. Be careful what you ask for, boy.Copy !req
1637. And here comes the pitch.Copy !req
1638. Oh, and that's a deep fly ball to left.Copy !req
1639. Kiner on his horse,
I don't think he'll get there.Copy !req
1640. Back, back, back, and...Copy !req
1641. Oh, ho, ho, doctor!Copy !req
1642. Robinson got his pitch!Copy !req
1643. It's a home run.Copy !req
1644. And barring a miracle comeback...Copy !req
1645. the Dodgers are going
to the World Series!Copy !req
1646. Yes!Copy !req
1647. He did it, he did it!Copy !req
1648. Pittsburgh!Copy !req
1649. Yes!Copy !req
1650. Way to go, Jackie!Copy !req
1651. Jack in his home run trot now,
and the home crowd here at Forbes...Copy !req
1652. recognizing something special
when they see it.Copy !req
1653. All the same,
I can practically hear the roar...Copy !req
1654. from the heart of Flatbush back
in Brooklyn.Copy !req
1655. Jackie, yeah, yeah!Copy !req
1656. Robinson rounds third...Copy !req
1657. headed for home...Copy !req
1658. sweet home.Copy !req