The statue memorializes Youngstown native George “Shotgun” Shuba shaking hands with Jackie Robinson, the first handshake of Black and white players on a professional baseball diamond.
Both players were members of the Montreal Royals, an Interntional AAA farm team for the Brooklyn Dodgers. On April 18, 1946, Robinson became the first African–American baseball player to break into “organized professional baseball” in the 20th century. The game was against the Jersey City Giants at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City, New Jersey. After grounding out in his first at-bat, Robinson hit a three-run home run in his second. Shuba, who followed Robinson in the lineup, shook Robinson’s hand as he crossed home plate.
Robinson was to break the color line when he started at first base for the Dodgers on April 15, 1947.
Scheduled to be unveiled on the 75th anniversary of the event, the unveiling was delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions. It finally took place on July 17, 2021. The sculptor is Marc Mellon.
