For those who suffered through the well-intentioned The Jackie Robinson Story from 1950 where Jackie Robinson plays himself, the idea of a modern adaptation of this story hitting the big screen in 2013 brings excitement. Will this modern version tell the story of Jackie Robinson and his crucial time in Montréal?
We've seen still shots of Robinson wearing a Montréal Royals uniform from his time in 1946, so that is an encouraging sign.
Today is Jackie Robinson Day, the anniversary of Robinson's 1947 debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The film should give Montréal and the Royals its due. After all, Montréal proved to be a vital buffer as Robinson started his pro career.
The Robinson family appreciated how warm and inviting Montréal was for them. The way Montréal treated them is truly part of why Robinson was able to succeed at the Major League level. If Robinson had to go to Atlanta or another Southerm city for minor-league ball, this story could have had some awkward turns.
As a Royal, Robinson helped lead his team to winning the Little World Series. Ken Burns' documentary Baseball recounted the story of excited fans chasing Robinson to the train when he left Montréal via Montréal Herald sports journalist Sam Maltin.
"It was probably the only day in history that a black man ran from a white mob with love instead of lynching on its mind."
While telling all of Robinson's story is really important, reminding people of the Montréal legacy is also crucial because the story brings the perception of Montréal as a baseball city closer to reality.
Jackie Robinson's Montréal apartment honored by Canada and United States
Like most expansion cities, Montréal had its start as a minor-league franchise, a farm team with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The team existed from 1897–1917 and from 1928–1960.
Legendary managers Sparky Anderson, Gene Mauch, and Tommy Lasorda all played there. Hall of Fame outfielder Roberto Clemente also started out in Montréal. Any Brooklyn star of the 1940s and 1950s came through Montréal; Duke Snider was a player and later a broadcaster of Les Expos.
If you travel to Montréal, you can see the Jules Lasalle statue of Jackie Robinson outside Olympic Stadium.
photo and video credit: 42/Warner Brothers
Comments