Tribute to Ralph Branca: January 26, 1926-November 23, 2016. Let’s Remember him for more than “The Shot Heard Round the World”

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Our Tribute to Ralph Branca: Let’s Remember him for more than “The Shot Heard Round the World”

The baseball world received the sad news today that Ralph Branca passed away at age 90. We all know he is largely remembered for throwing the “gopher ball’ that Bobby Thomson hit for the “Shot Heard Round the Word,” giving the Giants the 1951 pennant.

But not many know that Ralph Branca played a major role in helping Jackie Robinson’s transition into the major leagues, breaking down baseball’s infamous color barrier. To honor Ralph’s true legacy to baseball, let’s look at his career in its totality. Here’s a repost of an article I wrote about him last year:

The Historic Friendship Between Ralph Branca and Jackie Robinson 

“It doesn’t matter to me whether you’re Jewish, black, or whatever. I judge people for who they are.” –Ralph Branca

“Ralph Branca has always been close to us. There were players who were hostile to Jackie and tried to provoke him. Ralph was one of the players who supported him openly. Jack liked and admired him as a friend even after Ralph left the Dodgers.” –Rachel Robinson, widow of Jackie Robinson, speaking of Ralph Branca.

When you heard the name “Ralph Branca,” what comes to your mind? If you’re like me, you immediately think of the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” in 1951. But Branca’s contribution to baseball history is much more significant — if not well known. Here’s some information describing a side of Ralph Branca that baseball fans need to hear:

Over the course of his 12-year, injury-shortened career, Branca won 88 games, with 829 strikeouts, and a 3.79 ERA. A three-time All-Star, Branca played for the Brooklyn Dodgers (1944–53, 1956), Detroit Tigers (1953–54), and New York Yankees (1954). His accomplishments are often overshadowed by that one infamous pitch that occurred in 1951 in a playoff at the Polo Grounds. Pitching in relief, Branca gave up a three-run homer to Bobby Thomson that is considered one of the most famous plays in sports history. As a result of the “shot,” the Giants won the game, defeating the Dodgers in their pennant playoff series, two games to one.

But Ralph Branca’s baseball legacy runs much deeper and meaningful. How many baseball fans know that Branca was one of the few Dodgers who welcomed Jackie Robinson with open arms and tried to ease his difficult transition into the major leagues? It was 1947, the year Robinson broke the color barrier and became the first African American to play in major league baseball. Branca became one of Robinson’s biggest supporters and friends. He ate with him when they traveled, encouraged him to partake in activities with the rest of the team, and proudly stood beside him when Robinson first took the field on opening day. When the team played on the road, Robinson was often greeted with jeers and slurs. In some cities, Robinson couldn’t stay with the rest of the team because they were booked at segregated hotels. 

Branca still remembers all too well the racism directed at Robinson, even from members of his own team. He once recalled Jackie Robinson’s first day in the Dodger clubhouse: “When Jackie stepped through the door, around 9:30 A.M. on Opening Day, lugging his equipment bag, I was glad to see him. There was only one other player there that early—Gene Hermanski, a reserve outfielder from New Jersey who also had no problem with blacks.” 

Several Dodgers signed a petition against having Robinson on the team. But not Branca. He grew up in a diverse Mount Vernon neighborhood and his immigrant parents—his father was from Italy and his mother from Hungary—taught him respect and acceptance. Growing up, Branca had black, Irish, Italian, and Jewish neighbors, friends, and teammates. “Where I lived, on 9th Avenue in Mount Vernon, black families lived right next door to me. They came in my house, I went in theirs,” he says. 

As a side note, Branca never expressed bitterness over the “gopher ball” he threw to Bobby Thomson, even though reports in later years indicated that the Giants had stolen the Dodgers’ signals. The two ex-ballplayers – forever linked in baseball lore – began a friendship that lasted until Thomson’s death.

Ralph Branca is a member of the Westchester, New York Hall of Fame, and is a member of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. Branca still remained friends with Jackie Robinson’s widow, Rachel Robinson, who is 92.

The time is long overdue for Ralph Branca to receive the credit due him for his friendship with Jackie Robinson and the significant role he played in breaking down baseball’s infamous color barrier. 

-Gary Livacari

Photo Credits: All from Google search

Information: Excerpt edited from Westchester Magazine article on Ralph Branca and Jackie Robinson: http://www.westchestermagazine.com/Westchester-Magazine/April-2014/Brooklyn-Dodgers-Ralph-Branca-Jackie-Robinson-Baseball-History-Of-Racism

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