Today in Reds History: Chuck Harmon, Frank Robinson debut

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There are a lot of days in Cincinnati Reds history, but April 17th is one that is very important in the history of the franchise. On this date in 1954 the Cincinnati Reds joined many teams around the league in integrating non-white players onto the team. More than seven years after Jackie Robinson put on a Brooklyn Dodgers jersey and made his Major League debut, Chuck Harmon put on a Cincinnati jersey and walked onto the field against the Milwaukee Braves – in Milwaukee – as a pinch hitter.

Chuck Harmon popped up to first base while pinch hitting for pitcher Corky Valentine in the 7th inning that day. He would go 0-5 for the next week entering games off of the bench before getting…