On April 15 we had the pleasure of attending the Jackie Robinson Celebration Game at the JRTC (formerly Dodgertown) in Vero Beach. The game, a single-A contest between the Clearwater Threshers (Phillies) and Palm Beach Cardinals, drew a large and enthusiastic crowd. Of course, recently renovated Holman Stadium (1953) played a part in my novel The Kid From Dodgertown (Amazon), so it was a treat to see an historic game in the very ballpark where Jackie and the other Boys of Summer played. Also on hand was special guest Mary Branca, daughter of Ralph Branca, one of Jackie's most supportive teammates when he first joined the Dodgers. We chatted about the book, and she was delighted to learn that I once taught in the same building where her father attended high school, A.B. Davis in Mount Vernon, NY. We hope to make this an annual event in our Vero Beach residence.
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