Clyde Sukeforth: , a backup catcher turned scout, was the man Branch Rickey sent to evaluate Jackie Robinson in 1945. He later also scouted **Roberto Clemente** for the Pirates.
Sukeforth wrote Robinson's name on the Dodgers' lineup card for his first game and managed the club for the first two games of Robinson's MLB career after Leo Durocher was suspended.
On July 19, 2026, the Daytona Tortugas won 14-11 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, powered by Ty Doucette's first career grand slam, securing the series win.
The ballpark itself, known as "The Jack," is a historic venue where Robinson himself played during spring training — a direct link between past and present.
Why this matters:: Robinson's legacy is not just a museum piece — it lives on in every game played at stadiums named in his honor and in the stories of the scouts, players, and fans who carry his spirit forward.
In the summer of 1945, Brooklyn Dodgers president Branch Rickey dispatched scout Clyde Sukeforth to Chicago to watch Robinson play for the Kansas City Monarchs. A sore arm kept Robinson out of the lineup, but Sukeforth met the young athlete and brought him back to Brooklyn. That meeting led to the famous conversation where Rickey told Robinson he needed a player "with guts enough not to fight back."
Sukeforth later admitted in a 1996 Hall of Fame interview: *"He grows on you, the whole time. He's an intelligent fellow and determination written all over him."*
After Robinson's season with the Triple-A Montreal Royals, Sukeforth wrote his name on the Dodgers' lineup card for Opening Day 1947. He also scouted Roberto Clemente in Montreal in 1954, recommending the Pirates draft him for just $4,000.
After retiring from baseball, Sukeforth returned to his farm in Waldoboro, Maine, where he grew Christmas trees. He passed away in 2000, but his grave — marked by a modest headstone — still draws pilgrims who leave baseballs and Jackie Robinson cards as tributes.
Fast forward to July 19, 2026. At Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida, the Daytona Tortugas put on an offensive clinic.
| Inning | Key Play | Score |
|--------|----------|-------|
| 1st | Bernard Moon walks, Jalen Hairston singles, error scores Hairston | 1-0 Daytona |
| 2nd | Moon RBI single | 2-0 Daytona |
| 3rd | Rafhlmil Torres RBI single | 3-0 Daytona |
| 4th | Jupiter scores six runs | 6-3 Jupiter |
| 4th | Ty Doucette grand slam | 8-6 Daytona |
| 5th | Wild pitch scores Francis | 9-6 Daytona |
| 6th | Ichiro Cano two-run single, Valencia scores | 13-6 Daytona |
| 7th-8th | Jupiter rallies, cuts lead to 13-11 | 13-11 Daytona |
| 8th | Cano scores on three balks | 14-11 Daytona |
Ty Doucette launched the first grand slam of his professional career, tying his career high with four RBIs. The win improved Daytona to 13-8 in the second half. Notably, the game featured a rare moment when Ichiro Cano scored on three consecutive balks by Samuel Carpio — a sequence that had to be seen to be believed.
The game was played at a ballpark that holds deep historical significance: Jackie Robinson himself played exhibition games there during spring training in the 1940s, making it hallowed ground for baseball integration history.
What links these two stories is more than just Robinson's name. Sukeforth's humble grave in Maine, marked only by tokens left by fans, mirrors the quiet dignity of the man he scouted. Meanwhile, the roar of the crowd at Jackie Robinson Ballpark — where young Minor Leaguers chase their dreams on a field named for the man who broke the color barrier — shows how far the game has come.
As Bill Maxwell of the Waldoboro Historical Society said of Sukeforth: *"He was just such a sweet, caring, humble man. He loved watching baseball, especially in his later years. Some family friends would go down and pick him up and take him to the high school games, the legion baseball games, the Little League games. He watched it all."*
Who was Clyde Sukeforth?
A Major League catcher (1926-1934) who became a scout for Branch Rickey. He is best known for scouting Jackie Robinson for the Dodgers and later discovering Roberto Clemente for the Pirates.
What is Jackie Robinson Ballpark?
A historic Minor League Baseball stadium in Daytona Beach, Florida, home of the Daytona Tortugas (Single-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds). It was where Robinson played spring training games during his rise to the Major Leagues.
When did Jackie Robinson break the color barrier?
Robinson made his MLB debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, ending baseball's 60-year color line.
Where is Clyde Sukeforth buried?
At Brookland Cemetery in Waldoboro, Maine. Visitors often leave baseballs and Jackie Robinson memorabilia at his grave.
What was notable about the Daytona Tortugas' July 19, 2026 game?
The Tortugas scored in each of the first six innings, Ty Doucette hit his first career grand slam, and Ichiro Cano scored on three balks in a single at-bat — a highly unusual play.
For history fans:: Sukeforth's story is a reminder that the integration of baseball was aided by unsung heroes working behind the scenes. His grave in Maine is a pilgrimage site worth knowing about.
For Minor League fans:: Jackie Robinson Ballpark is one of the most historic venues in MiLB. Watching a game there is a direct connection to baseball's most important legacy.
For aspiring scouts:: Sukeforth's career proves that finding the right player — and having the courage to recommend them — can change the course of sports history.
For casual readers:: Next time you watch a game at any level, remember the chain of events set in motion by a Christmas tree farmer in Maine who saw something special in a young athlete from Cairo, Georgia.
Jackie Robinson's legacy continues to inspire new generations — whether through historic ballparks, the scouts who found him, or the Minor Leaguers stepping up to the plate today.
What's your connection to Jackie Robinson's story? Have you visited Jackie Robinson Ballpark or paid tribute at Clyde Sukeforth's grave in Maine? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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