Baseball Historian - Part of the Sports Historian Network

Jackie Robinson Day

This past week marked the 61st anniversary of Robinson's 1947 debut with the Dodgers at Ebbets Field. Playing first base, Jackie ended the color barrier in baseball and started the transition to eliminate race separation across the USA.

View Jackie Robinson's biography and statistics.

Tommy Holmes: First Class Gentleman

Former major league outfielder Tommy Holmes died Monday at age 91. He set a modern-day National League record by hitting in 37 straight games, a mark which stood until broken by Pete Rose in 1978 with 44 in a row. A standout outfielder for the old Boston Braves, 1942 thru 1951, and old Brooklyn Dodgers 1952, Tommy Holmes compiled a very solid .302 carrer batting average. His all-around play helped the Braves win the pennant in 1948 before losing to the Cleveland Indians in 6 games in the World Series. He also helped the Dodgers win the 1952 NL pennant before losing to the Yankees in 7 games. Often referred to as a 'first-class gentleman,' Tommy Holmes worked for the New York Mets organization as director of amateur baseball relations. View Tommy Holmes information