Interview with Robert Holbrook, May 9, 1977

Interview Summary

Robert Holbrook was a sportswriter and also formerly served as the secretary of American League Baseball. In this interview, he discusses Commissioner Chandler's relationship with the baseball writers, his support of umpires, his performance as baseball commissioner, and his image with baseball writers. He talks about the integration of major league baseball, the original decision to integrate baseball in 1943, Chandler's role in the integration of major league baseball, his involvement in television contracts, and Jackie Robinson. He describes the Mexican League problem and the Danny Gardella lawsuit, also discussing Walter Mulbry, Sam Jethroe, Tom Yawkey, Yawkey's relationship with Chandler, Lou Perini, and the Boston-Milwaukee Braves. He also describes the reaction of baseball writers to Chandler's suspension of Leo Durocher.

Interview Keyword

Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler Baseball Commissioner Baseball

Interview LC Subject

Baseball--United States Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991 Holbrook, Robert Holbrook, Robert--Interviews

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.