Van Hyning: Carlos Bernier, a pioneering Pirate
From SABR member Thomas Van Hyning at La Vida Baseball on September 5, 2018:
Pittsburgh’s Kennard Field, in the city’s Hill District, was the place to be Friday morning, May 29, 1953, for the Uptown Little League opening day ceremonies. Carlos Bernier represented the Pittsburgh Pirates at this ceremony, as did three Brooklyn Dodgers: Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella and Joe Black.
Bernier had a pleasant conversation with Robinson during the Little League festivities that day, per an event photo.
Why were these ball players attending this dedication? They were representatives of the team’s black players. The Dodgers contingent included Robinson, the man who broke Major League Baseball’s color line on April 15, 1947. The lone Pirates representative holds a similar distinction as the first black Pirates player.
Read the full article here: https://www.lavidabaseball.com/pirates-carlos-bernier/
- Related link: Listen to Thomas Van Hyning’s presentation on Carlos Bernier from the SABR 48 convention in Pittsburgh (RP08)
Originally published: September 5, 2018. Last Updated: September 5, 2018.