Clyde Sukeforth

Clyde Leroy "Sukey" Sukeforth (November 30, 1901 - September 3, 2000) was a former Major League Baseball catcher, scout and manager who was best known for scouting and signing the major leagues' first black player in the modern era, Jackie Robinson.

Related Topics:
November 30 - 1901 - September 3 - 2000 - Major League Baseball - Catcher - Manager - First black player - Jackie Robinson

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Born in Washington, Maine, Sukeforth was the only other person in the room when Brooklyn Dodgers president Branch Rickey told Robinson of his plans to sign him to a contract to play in Montreal in 1946. He managed the Dodgers for two games in 1947, replacing Leo Durocher who was suspended by the league. In 1951, when Dodger manager Chuck Dressen needed a reliever to face the San Francisco Giants' Bobby Thomson in the ninth inning of the decisive third game of the National League pennant playoff, Sukeforth passed over Carl Erskine and sent in Ralph Branca, who gave up Thomson's "shot heard 'round the world".

Related Topics:
Washington - Maine - Brooklyn Dodgers - Branch Rickey - Montreal - 1946 - 1947 - Leo Durocher - 1951 - Chuck Dressen - San Francisco Giants - Bobby Thomson - Carl Erskine - Ralph Branca

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Sukeforth died at age 98 in Waldoboro, Maine. By his request, no services were held.

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