This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/10/2010
There might not be a more important team in baseball history than the 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers. That team withstood tremendous amounts of pressure with Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier. People knew it was inevitable, but when Dodger part-owner and General Manager Branch Rickey made the move with Robinson, there was dissension throughout the league. Players from the South refused to play with or against Jackie, and racial slurs were hurled at the team. It was apparent that every team wanted to beat the Dodgers because of Jackie. Through all the abuse and inner team turmoil (several teammates didn't want to play with Jackie and were subsequently traded), the Dodgers kept winning. They took first place for good on July 6th and never looked back. Unfortunately, the team ran into the buzzsaw that was the Yankees, eventually falling to the Bronx Bombers in seven games. This photo shows the entire team, with Jackie sitting cross legged on the ground, second from the right. There is a small amount of paper loss near the top border, and all four corners have a mark and some creasing indicating a prior mounting into a photo album. Facsimile autographs are below the photo on the large white block border, and the top of the photo reads "Welcome Legionnaries 1947." This was likely a promotional photo given to visiting American Legion members, the veterans outfit which was very popular just after World War II. The verso has a ink description reading, "See page 52 of Sporting News 'Official Baseball Guide' for player names.(1948)" then just to the below right reads "1947 team." This is an historic team photo, depicting Jackie Robinson among his many first season teammates, a group of men who pulled together in the face of bitter opposition toward a common goal.