April 10 is a big day in Los Angeles Dodgers franchise history for a few reasons, with the first coming back in 1947 when the team was still playing in Brooklyn.
During the sixth inning of an exhibition game against their Minor League team, the Montreal Royals, Dodgers president Branch Rickey issued a brief statement to the press. It was to announce the team had purchased the contract of Jackie Robinson from the Montreal Royals, and he was expected to report immediately.
It obviously was not only a monumental moment in Dodgers franchise history, but also Major League Baseball history as well, as Robinson went on to break the color barrier a few days later on April 15.
The 1947 season was an outstanding one for Robinson as he slashed .297/.383/.427 with 12 home runs, 125 runs scored, 48 RBI and 29 stolen bases in 151 games to earn National League Rookie of the Year honors.
Robinson went on the play his entire 10-year career with the Dodgers, being named an All-Star six times and winning an MVP Award in 1949. He also was part of a team that won the World Series in 1955.
As strong as his play was on the field, Robinson will always be known for paving the way for colored athletes all throughout sports. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962 and the entire league retired his No. 42 jersey in 1997.
Vin Scully absent from Dodgers broadcast booth
Then on April 10, 2012, legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully missed the team’s home opener for the first time in 35 years when the doctors ordered him to rest to recover from a bad cold.
The Dodgers hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates that day and earned a 2-1 victory to move to 4-1 on the young season. Clayton Kershaw got the start on the mound and tossed seven strong innings, allowing just four hits and one run while striking out seven and walking none.
He wasn’t credited with the victory, however, as the Dodgers didn’t take the lead until the eighth inning when Andre Ethier hit a go=ahead solo home run off Jason Grilli. Javy Guerra then nailed down the save with a scoreless ninth.
As for Scully, the last time the Hall of Fame announcer was absent from the season’s first home game before that he was calling the first round of the Masters in 1977. He retired at the end of the 2016 season, finishing out a legendary 67-year career with the Dodgers.
Dodger Stadium opens
Also on April 10 — in 1962 — the first game at Dodger Stadium was played, with the Dodgers defeating the Cincinnati Reds. L.A. had been playing in the Coliseum upon moving from Brooklyn.
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