Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1947-07-11
BY LEONARD COHEN
In The New York Post

The signing Of Larry Dolby by
the Cleveland Indians indicates
that II was this club Branch Hickey
was referring TO back ON June %
when he told the Dodger writers
in Pittsburgh another major league
club was giving him competition
in the bidding for another Negro
prospect, Hickey was after Dolby,
too.
We liked Lou BoudreRu's state
ment in which the manager Of the
Tribe said. Greed, race or color are
not factors in baseball success,
whether it be in the major or minor
leagues. Ability and character are
the only factors" We know B6ud-
reau well enough TO believe his sin
certify. President Bill Week and his
brain trust will make room for
Dolby on the team roster and give
him n chance TO play regularly II
he can hit. His .4bs average in the
Negro N. l.. makes him worthy Of
a trial.
Jackie Robinson can stand up
and take a bow, and so can Hickey.
The play Of the Dodger first base
man and his conduct on and Oft the
field have been such that not a
word Of complaint can be uttered
against him ms the first Negro to
play big-league bali. Robbie was
under terrific pressure and to add
to his difficulties he was stationed
at a new position, first base.
Jackie is showing he can hit ma.
jor league pitching and he's been
improving in his defensive play.
Gradually putting what Hickey has
called "his venturesome legs" 70
use, Robbie Is leading the loop In
stolen bases.
Jackie Robinson RlaEed the Trail
No longer n novelty, Robinson 10
regarded as q ballplAyer, which IL
all he. or his most ardent sup
porters, ever asked for him, So
Robinson set the precedent. Now
whs Rieksy did in the N. l.. Veeek
has done In the A. L., given n Negro
chance.
Dolby, n % yeRr-old inhelder Of
the Newark Eagles Of the Negro
National League, IL n versatile chap
who can play anywhere in the in
field or outfeld. The Indians can
use help.
Just where BoudreAu will place
him remains 10 be seen. Naturally
Dolby will have 10 be given time
to adapt himself, for he, too. will
be under n strain and tension. He
will be the sole Negro In the junior
circuit and even though Robinson
has blazed the trail. Dolby still will
have no easy time. II he follows
Robinson AZ regards department
and behavior on and 90 the field,
his task will be easier.
New Day Dawns for Negro
BAlIplayeTS
Perhaps third base may be the
initial spot for Dolby. Second base
IL his natural position, but II would
take a team Of horses 20 get Joe
| Gordon out Of that berth. Unlike
| Robinson. who was Rreensr than
the grass surrounding the initial
sack when Hickey handed him a
first baseman's mitt, Dolby won't
he strange ut any position.
But the main point IL that an
other major league club has seen
fl 20 follow the example set by
Brooklyn.
The first hundred years are the
/ hardest. the old saw puts II, In
the matter Of Negro ballplsyers,
/ the FIRST trial was the toughest.
Who knows but what in the not
too-distant future a majority Of
/ the biR.Ieague teams may he able
10 corral a Negro player Of Fuffi-
Gent ability. Right now Roy Cam
PAMELA. = DodRer farm hand at
/ Montreal, IL rated the best catching
prospect in the minors, Hickey may
see IT 10 bring him up nsEt season
80 Bruce Edwards undsTstudy,
Robinson Enriches n. l.. Golfers
Other club owners may have Sc
cvetly thought Hickey had gone