Ralph Branca was wearing a Deron Williams No. 8 Brooklyn Nets jersey last night on the floor of the Barclays Center, the former Dodgers pitcher there to partake in the festivities as professional sports returned to borough for the first time in 55 years.
“Brooklyn was always considered second-class,” Branca said before the Nets’ 107-100 season-opening victory over the Raptors. “But the Brooklyn fans are the greatest. If the Nets’ fans are anything like the Dodgers’ fans, they’re major-league fans. They’re loyal.”
Though Branca might be best remembered for giving up “The Shot Heard ’Round The World” to the Giants’ Bobby Thomson in 1951, he also still is embraced by Brooklyn for the one world championship he brought them in 1955 before owner Walter O’Malley moved the team to Los Angeles in 1957.
“It’s great to see it right in the heart of Brooklyn,” said Branca, who was joined by his former teammate Joe Pignatano and Gil Hodges Jr. “I think it’s going to be fantastic, I really do.”