Evening star., 1947-04-11
First Player Of Race
In Majors Confident
|0f Making Grade
By Joe ReichIer
A.soeIaisd Press Sports Writer

BHOOkI4N, April Ill am on
the spot and I know it. But I'm pre-
pared for 1t. I am certain ! can
win them over In Brooklyn as ] did
in Montreal"
That was the observation today Of
Jackie Robinson first Negro ever to
reach the major leagues In modern
organized baseball.
The brilliant 28-year-old. former
u. G. L. A. all-around athlete, who
bids fair to become q drawing card
rivaling Bob Feller and Ted VIII
iams, still was In q daze over the
swiftly moving events which made
him a Dodger yesterday.
1T feels wonderful to be q major
Lacquer, even II haven't actually
played In the big leagues yet" Rob-
irson beamed. "I HOPE I can justify
everybody's faith in me-"
The ex-Army lieutenant said he
expected no serious trouble from
any one and was sure that every
thing would work out fine. "It Is
not question Of the players getting
along with me. I will be on the
spot to see II / cars get along with
| them.
Not Worried by Prejudice.
Believe me, fully realize what
1t means-my being given this won-
derful opportunity to play in the
big leagues-not only to me, but to
my race and to baseball" said the
sensitive ex-collegian who was
hand-picked by Branch Hickey,
Brooklyn president, from the Kan
sas City Monarchs Of the Negro
Baseball League 18 months ago.
| I'm grateful to Mr.. Hickey for the
chance and I'll do my best to come
through In every manner"
The well-built athlete, whose
work both at bat and in the field
with Montreal last year prompted
International League, President
Frank ]. Shaughnessy to acclaim
him as "the greatest minor league
player" did not care to predict how
he would fare In the big time.
"I'm just going to take a cut at
the ball every time good one comes
over the plate, try to connect, run
as fast as I can and play the game
hard and clean," he said.
Robby is convinced he can break
down the barrier of prejudice.
"Once the ice is broken and the idea
accepted, 1t will become a natural
thing for Negro players to mingle
with white players in organized ball.
Expects Some Trouble.
II know I am heading for trouble,
especially in couple of cities in
the National League circuit" he
said frankly, possibly more than !
encountered in the international
League, but / know can take it.
I realize some players and fans will
be trying to upset me and will have
plenty OF material, but I went
through that in the minors and I
am prepared to go through it again.
II experienced difficulty in Balti-
more and Louisville at the start of
last season, but before the campaign
ended I had made many fast friends
In those cities" he said proudly.
The star second baseman, who had
been asked to move TO q strange
position at first base by his Montreal
manager, Clay Hopper, at the re-
quest of hickey, said it mattered
little to him where he played, as
long as he saw action.
Naturally, I prefer to play second,
but I'm beginning to like first base"
he said. 'I still have little trouble
with the glove. I can't seem to get
the thumb out of the way of a
thrown ball, but I believe I can
overcome the fault"
Cylde Sukeforth, manager pro tenn
of the Dodgers until Hickey decides
on his permanent replacement for
the suspended Leo Drocher, indi-
Gated yesterday that Robbie would
be at first base in the exhibition
against the New York Yankees
today.