Opening Day: Jackie Robinson's Groundbreaking Debut

The year 1947 marked a pivotal moment in baseball history, as Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier and became the first black man to play in the major leagues in the 20th century. In his bestselling account, "Opening Day," Jonathan Eig tells the dramatic story of this historic event and its impact on the sport and the nation.

On April 15, 1947, Robinson stepped onto the diamond at Ebbets Field, ushering in a new era of integration and progress. The backdrop was the recent end of World War II, a triumph for democracy, and a time when Americans were beginning to demand justice on the home front. Robinson's groundbreaking achievement represented a crucial step in the civil rights movement.

Eig's book offers new insights and challenges some familiar legends surrounding this pivotal moment. Was it true that the St. Louis Cardinals plotted to boycott their first home game against the Brooklyn Dodgers? Was Pee Wee Reese truly Robinson's closest ally on the team, and Dixie Walker his greatest foe? How did Robinson manage to perform so well on the field despite the extraordinary stress of being the only black man in baseball?

The book also tells the story of the Dodgers, a team of underdogs who came together against tremendous odds to capture the pennant. Facing the powerful New York Yankees, Robinson and the Dodgers battled to the seventh game in one of the most thrilling World Series competitions of all time.

Drawing on extensive research, including interviews with surviving players, sportswriters, and eyewitnesses, as well as newly discovered material from archives across the country, Eig presents a fresh and compelling portrait of Robinson. The book captures the ferocious competitor who embodied the promise of integration and helped launch the modern civil rights era.

"Opening Day" is a captivating account that brings to life the ultimate story of baseball and its transformative impact on society. With its new details and thrilling action, the book offers a vivid and insightful exploration of one of the most important moments in American sports history.

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