Description:

Stevens Edward - Edward Stevens signs a typed manuscript regarding the story of how he sacrificed his spot on the Dodgers for Jackie Robinson.


Typed Manuscript Signed, "Ed Stevens", 1p., 8.5" X 11", May 18, 1995, n.p. Fine condition.

In part: "I was replaced in 1947 by Jackie Robinson on the Dodgers... I sacrificed my career to make room for Jackie Robinson. I had the ballclub made. I was gonna be the regular first baseman and, 'course they had Howie Schultz over there, the basketball player, and we'd been doin' some alternating. I hit against right-handers, he hit against left-handers. Mr. Rickey told me if I'd go back to Montreal and make room for Jackie Robinson and have myself a good year, that he would shake my hand in a gentleman's agreement, that he would bring me back as soon as I got to hittin' good and got myself in shape - to give him a chance to get rid of Eddie Stanky, move Jackie Robinson to second base and I had a job for the next 10, 15 years, as long as my ability would allow me... So I agreed to do it, 'cause I imagine he was gonna make me go anyway, and I got to Montreal a month late, led the club in home runs, runs batted in, runs scored, extra base hits, and we win that thing - a runaway pennant down there. He brings me back three days late to qualify for the 1947 World Series and then sold me to Pittsburgh that winter... At that time, Jackie Robinson could not have taken my job because, if you'll look up my records, I had some talent. He eventually became one of the most outstandin' ballplayers up there. In fact, he paid me a real compliment in some magazine article, sayin' that his biggest worry was Mr. Rickey's wantin' to put him on first base and he couldn't see how he could replace that young outstandin' first baseman that the Dodgers had. That was myself... ."

Signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers before the 1941 season when he was 16, Ed Stevens was 20 when he played his first game for the Dodgers in 1945 (55 games, 201 AB, 55 hits, 4 HR, 29 RBI, .274 BA). He played in 103 games in 1946, batting .242 with 10 home runs and 60 RBI. Stevens appeared in five games in 1947, went 2 for 13 and was sold to Pittsburgh after the season. In 128 games in 1948, Stevens batted .254, hit 10 home runs with 69 RBI. After partial seasons with the Pirates in 1949 and 1950, Ed Stevens retired with a career batting average of .252, 28 home runs, 193 RBI over six seasons.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 20% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000