As Major League Baseball and America remember the late Baseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson today, the City of Anaheim is proud to recall when Robinson spent time in Anaheim to film his biographical movie, “The Jackie Robinson Story.”
In February, 1950, Dee Fee Field at La Palma Park was selected as the location set for the Hollywood film production, to shoot scenes for the movie. The scenes shot at the park portrayed Robinson at spring training with the Montreal Royals in Florida, and the Brooklyn Dodgers in Panama.
It was on April 15, 1947 that Robinson made his major league debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was the first player to break the color line, and when he stepped on the field that day, it opened doors not just in baseball, but throughout our country. Today, as with every future game on April 15, each Major League Baseball player will don his uniform with #42 -- Jackie’s uniform number.
“The Jackie Robinson Story,” directed by Alfred E. Green, was released in June that same year. The photo below was taken during film production in Anaheim.
“A life is not important, except in the impact it has on others’ lives.” – Jackie Robinson
To learn more about Jackie Robinson, please visit www.jackierobinson.com
For more information on the City of Anaheim, please visit www.anaheim.net.