May 18, 1952 Jackie Robinson Steals Home

New York, May 18 – Artful Dodger Steals Home
Across home plate in a cloud of dust comes Brooklyn Dodger second baseman Jackie Robinson as he completes one of baseball’s most daring maneuvers — the steal of home. Chicago catcher John Pramesa tries too late to put the ball on the speedy Robinson whose fourth inning larceny came with the bases full at Ebbets Field today. Cubs pitcher Willie Ramsdell was the victim of the play as Robinson beat the throw to the plate. The Dodgers beat the Cubs 7-2. (AP wirephoto)

Pitcher Preacher Roe was the batter. After reaching third base, Robinson rattled pitcher Ramsdell bobbing up and down the line. On each successive pitch his lead grew greater. Finally on a 3-1 count Robinson took off. Ramsdell quickly fired toward home and had Robinson beaten, but Jackie made a nifty fall away slide to elude catcher Pramesa’s tag.

I’m not sure how home plate umpire Augie Guglielmo could make the call with all the dust raised, but he did. The ump got it right, as we can see here in this lower resolution photo from Jack Frank of the New York Herald Tribune.

We previously featured Jackie Robinson’s extraordinary ability to pull off the most exciting play in baseball.

This was the 16th time Robinson stole home in his major league career. Robinson would accomplish the feat three more times before retiring after the 1956 season.