Professor John Burbridge has been awarded a 2010 Yoseloff-SABR Baseball Research Grants to examine the legacy of a player and manager involved in a famous confrontation in 1955 involving Jackie Robinson.
These awards are designed to assist SABR members in conducting baseball research and having that research published by SABR. Any aspect of the history of baseball is acceptable for funding from this grant program.
Burbridge will use his grant to examine the legacy of Alvin Dark as a player and a manager. Dark was involved in a confrontation in 1955 involving Jackie Robinson. In addition, he was involved in several other incidents that resulted in widespread controversy about his views on African-American and Hispanic players.
Much has been written concerning these incidents and his religious views (Dark is a born-again Christian) and some of the material is in conflict.
The Anthony A. Yoseloff Foundation funds the Yoseloff-SABR Baseball Research Grant program. Grants are open to any member in good standing of SABR for independent research into any aspect of baseball or baseball history. The selection committee consisted of Rodger Payne, Vince Gennaro, R. J. Lesch, Tom Shieber, and Jeff Angus.
The Society for American Baseball Research is an international, member-driven organization whose mission is to foster the study of baseball, assist in maintaining the history of the game, facilitate the dissemination of baseball research, and stimulate interest in baseball. More information is available on SABR’s website at: www.sabr.org.