Call to the pen
Fansided

MLB history: The 10 best games of Jackie Robinson’s career

By Bill Felber

MILWAUKEE - 1954. Jackie Robinson slides safely home, as Milwaukee Braves catcher Charley White misses the tag, during a 1954 contest at Brooklyn's Ebbets Field. (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE - 1954. Jackie Robinson slides safely home, as Milwaukee Braves catcher Charley White misses the tag, during a 1954 contest at Brooklyn's Ebbets Field. (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
BROOKLYN, NY – SEPTEMBER 30: Jackie Robinson #42 of the Brooklyn Dodgers slides into third base ahead of the throw to Gil McDougald #12 of the New York Yankees during a World Series game on September 30, 1955 at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York. Johnny Podres and the Dodgers won the third game of the series, 8-3, in front of 34,209 fans. (Photo by Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY – SEPTEMBER 30: Jackie Robinson #42 of the Brooklyn Dodgers slides into third base ahead of the throw to Gil McDougald #12 of the New York Yankees during a World Series game on September 30, 1955 at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York. Johnny Podres and the Dodgers won the third game of the series, 8-3, in front of 34,209 fans. (Photo by Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /

8. April 21, 1951, Dodgers 7, Giants 3. Brooklyn trailed 1-0 at the polo Grounds when Robinson came to bat with a runner at first and two out in the fourth. His home run into the left field seats put the Dodgers ahead 2-1.

Fast-forward to the seventh inning of a 3-2 Giants lead. Jackie walks and crosses home on Cal Abrams’ bases loaded base on balls. One inning later, his double drives in Duke Snider to break a 3-3 tie, and Robinson steals third, scoring on Giant catcher Wes Westrum’s wild throw. Robinson Win Probability Added: 0.480.

7. July 25, 1948, Dodgers 7, Pirates 6. Robinson doubled in the first, but was stranded. He doubled again leading off the sixth, and this time Gene Hermanski followed with a home run that tied the game 2-2.

But the Dodgers trailed 5-2 in the seventh when Jackie grounded to Eddie Bockman at third. He muffed the fielding chance, allowing Pete Reiser to score and Jackie to reach safely. One inning later, Robinson was in the middle of a game-winning four run Dodger rally. Hit by a Kirby Higbe pitch, he took third on Gene Hermanski’s double then stole home off Vic Lombardi.  Robinson Win Probability Added: 0.488

6. July 17, 1948, Dodgers 8, Reds 4. This was a 1-1 tie when  Robinson came up in the fifth inning; his line single scored Ralph Branca to put Brooklyn ahead, and he scored moments later on Gene Hermanski’s double.

But the Dodgers still trailed 4-3 until Arky Vaughan’s eighth inning single tied the game. After Pee Wee Reese reached on a fielding error, Jackie stepped up and belted a three-run home run off Harry Gumbert, giving Brooklyn a 7-4 lead. Robinson Win Probability Added: 0.495.

5. Aug. 10, 1949, Dodgers 7, Phillies 5. Through eight innings, Robinson’s contribution to victory involved being hit by a fourth-inning Ken Heintzelman pitch and scoring on Bruce Edwards’ single.

But with the score tied in the top of the ninth, Carl Furillo’s line single gave Robinson a chance at heroics. That chance almost evaporated when Jim Konstanty tried to pick Furillo off first, but the pitcher’s wild throw allowed the runner to reach second instead. A base hit would have given Brooklyn the lead, but Robinson was after bigger game; his home run into the left field seats made the score 7-5. Robinson Win Probability Added: 0.512.

Home/Los Angeles Dodgers