Who Was Jackie Robinson? Free

Until that time, professional ballplayers of color Who Was Jackie Robinson? up for teams only in the Negro Leagues. Jackie Robinson was born on January 31,in Cairo, Georgia, to a family of sharecroppers. He was the youngest of five children. After his father abandoned the family inthey moved to PasadenaCalifornia, where his mother, Mallie, worked a series of odd jobs to support herself and her children. His older brother Mack, a silver medalist in track and field at the Olympics in Berlininspired him to pursue his interest in athletics, and the younger Robinson ultimately earned varsity letters in baseball, basketball, football and track while at Muir. After graduating high school, Jackie attended Pasadena Junior College for two years, where he continued to have success in all four sports. Following the death of Who Was Jackie Robinson? older brother, Frank, in a motorcycle accident, Jackie decided to honor his memory by enrolling at UCLA in There, he became the first Bruin to earn varsity letters in four sports — the same four in which he starred in high school — and he won the NCAA long jump championship in Jackie ultimately left college in the spring of his senior year, just a few credits short of his graduation. He accepted a job as an athletic administrator, but his dreams remained focused on the field of play. He spent two years playing semi-professional football for integrated teams in leagues in Hawaii and California before being drafted into the U. Army in the spring ofduring World War IIWho Was Jackie Robinson? he never saw combat. He was accepted into Officer Candidate School and was assigned to segregated Army units, first in Who Was Jackie Robinson? and then in Texas. During this time, however, he remained close to Rachel, with whom he became engaged in He was acquitted on all the charges at court martial, but it has been said that his experiences during the proceedings likely shaped his response to the racist taunts he received, a few years later, from fans and fellow players at the start of his professional baseball career. Jackie was honorably discharged from the Army in Novemberand he took a job coaching basketball at a college in AustinTexas. At the time, Brooklyn Dodgers executive Branch Rickey was scouting Who Was Jackie Robinson? Negro Leagues, looking for players who not only had the talent but the demeanor to withstand the pressures associated with integrating Major League Baseball. It is said that during the interview, Rickey demanded that Robinson not respond when on the receiving end of racial abuse. His performance both on and off the field earned him a call-up to Brooklyn the following season. His Who Was Jackie Robinson? with the Dodgers in was greeted with a lot of Who Was Jackie Robinson? — not all Who Was Jackie Robinson? it positive. Although Robinson quickly proved he belonged as a player, the color of his skin was an issue for opposing teams and fans. Hearing racist taunts from fans and players prior to a game, Dodgers teammate Pee Who Was Jackie Robinson? Reese is said to have put his arm around Robinson on the field to indicate that he was accepted by those wearing a Brooklyn uniform. Still, Robinson endured racist obscenities, hate mail and death threats for much of his career. It was his play in the field that ultimately silenced his critics. Despite having been signed by the Dodgers at the relatively old age of 28, Robinson would go on to hit. He became the first black player to win the National League Most Valuable Player Award inwhen he led the league in hitting with a. Who Was Jackie Robinson? was an All Star every year from Nobody wants to quit when he's losing; nobody wants you to quit when you're ahead. If you're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're wasting your life. I have learned that I remain a black in a white world. Who Was Jackie Robinson? by heart disease and diabetes, Robinson died in at the age of 53 from a heart attack suffered at his home in StamfordConnecticut. Thousands attended his funeral service, including former teammates and other professional athletes. Following his death, his wife Rachel, by then an assistant professor in the Yale School of Nursingestablished the Jackie Robinson Foundation. In addition to recognizing other trailblazers in sports, the foundation awards the Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship to minority students. Those players already wearing the number were allowed to keep it. Baseball Hall of Fame. Lamb, C. Breslin, Jimmy. Branch Rickey: A Life. Penguin Random Who Was Jackie Robinson?. Jackie Robinson: 7 memorable quotes. Jackie Robinson. Baseball Reference. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Subscribe for fascinating stories connecting the past to the present. Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play in the Major Leagues on April 15,when he took the field in the top of the first inning against the Boston Braves. Despite struggling with a heart condition, Mack Robinson later clinched a spot on The eyes of Abraham Lincoln gazed down from a portrait on the paneled walls Who Was Jackie Robinson? the executive offices of the Brooklyn Dodgers Baseball Club as Branch Rickey fire-hosed a torrent of racial slurs at Jackie Robinson. The president and general manager of the Dodgers had little LikeJackie Robinson, these four men had to deal with unimaginable pressure. They all had fans who ridiculed and threatened them with every slur in the book. None of them could stay Who Was Jackie Robinson? the same hotels Negro League Baseball got its start thanks to the increasing popularity of two things after the Civil War: baseball and segregation. Historically, black women in sports faced double discrimination due to their gender and race. A number of African American female athletes Who Was Jackie Robinson? emerged as trailblazers in their particular sports over the years, from track and field and tennis to figure skating and basketball. Among prominent figures are Madam C. Walker, who was the first U. Read on Muhammad Ali was an American former heavyweight champion boxer and one of the greatest sporting figures of the 20th century. An Olympic gold medalist and the first fighter to capture the heavyweight title three times, Ali won 56 times in his year professional Live TV. This Day In History. History at Home. When Was Jackie Robinson Born? Jackie Robinson in the U. Army Jackie ultimately left college in the spring of his senior year, just a few credits short of his graduation. Jackie Robinson and the Dodgers His debut with the Dodgers in was greeted with a lot of attention — not all of it positive. Sources Baseball Hall of Fame. Jackie Robinson on Racial Taunts. JFK and Jackie Wed. Negro League Baseball Negro League Baseball got its start thanks to the increasing popularity of two things after the Civil War: baseball and segregation. Trailblazing Black Women in Sports Historically, black women in sports faced double discrimination due to their gender and race. Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali was an American former heavyweight champion boxer and one of the greatest sporting figures of the 20th century. Who Was Jackie Robinson? by Gail Herman, Who HQ: | : Books

Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia in to a family of sharecroppers. His mother, Mallie Who Was Jackie Robinson?, single- handedly raised Jackie and her four other children. They were the only black family on their block, and the prejudice they encountered only strengthened their bond. Growing up in a large, single- parent family, Jackie excelled early at all sports and learned to make his own way in life. At UCLA, Jackie became the first Who Was Jackie Robinson? to win varsity letters in four sports: baseball, basketball, football and track. Inhe was named to the All-American football team. Due to financial difficulties, he was forced to leave college and eventually decided to enlist in the U. After two years in the army, he had progressed to second lieutenant. In the end, Jackie left the Army with an honorable discharge. But greater challenges and achievements were in store for him. The Major Leagues had not had an African-American player sincewhen baseball became segregated. When Jackie first donned a Brooklyn Dodger uniform, he pioneered the integration of professional athletics in America. As a result of his great success, Jackie was Who Was Jackie Robinson? inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in As an African-American baseball player, Jackie was on display for the whole country to judge. Rachel and their three children, Jackie Jr. Also that year, The United States Post Office honored Robinson by making him the subject of a commemorative postage stamp. Skip to content. Jackie Robinson - Wikipedia

InMLB retired his uniform number 42 across all major league teams; he was the first professional athlete in any sport to be so honored. MLB also adopted a new annual tradition, " Jackie Robinson Day ", for the first time on April 15,on which every player on Who Was Jackie Robinson? team Who Was Jackie Robinson? No. Robinson's character, his use of nonviolenceand his talent challenged the traditional basis of segregation that had then marked many other aspects of American life. He influenced the culture of and contributed significantly to the civil rights movement. After his death inRobinson was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of his achievements on and off the field. Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31,into a family of sharecroppers in Cairo, Georgia. The extended Robinson family established itself on a residential plot containing two small houses at Pepper Street in Pasadena. Robinson's mother worked various odd jobs to support the family. At Muir Tech, Robinson played several sports at the varsity level and lettered in four of them: footballbasketballtrackand baseball. With the track and field squad, he won awards in the broad jump. He was also a member of the tennis team. InRobinson won the junior boys singles championship in the annual Pacific Coast Negro Tennis Tournament and earned a place on the Pomona annual baseball tournament all-star team, which included future Hall of Famers Ted Williams and Bob Lemon. After Muir, Robinson attended Pasadena Junior College PJCwhere he continued his athletic career by participating in basketball, football, baseball, and track. He was a shortstop and leadoff hitter for the baseball team, and he broke school broad-jump records held by his Who Was Jackie Robinson? Mack. That year, Robinson was one of 10 students named to the school's Order of the Who Was Jackie Robinson? and Dagger Omicron Mu Deltaawarded to students performing "outstanding service to the school and whose scholastic and citizenship record is worthy of recognition. An incident at PJC illustrated Robinson's impatience with authority figures he perceived as racist —a character trait that would resurface repeatedly in his life. On January 25,he was arrested after vocally disputing the detention of a black friend by police. Karl Downs to attend church on a regular basis, and Downs became a confidant for Robinson, a Christian. After graduating Who Was Jackie Robinson? PJC in spring[37] Robinson enrolled at UCLA, where he became the school's first athlete to win varsity letters in four sports: baseball, basketball, football, and track. He was Who Was Jackie Robinson? of four black players on the Bruins' football team ; the others were Woody StrodeKenny Washingtonand Ray Bartlett. Washington, Strode, and Robinson made up three of the team's four backfield players. After the government ceased NYA operations, Robinson traveled to Honolulu in the fall of to play football for the semi-professional, racially integrated Honolulu Bears. Although the Army's initial July guidelines for OCS had been drafted as race neutral, few black applicants were admitted into OCS until after subsequent directives by Army leadership. While at Fort Hood, Robinson often used his weekend leave to visit the Rev. An event on July 6,derailed Robinson's military career. The driver backed down, but after reaching the end of the line, summoned the military policewho took Robinson into custody. After Robinson's commander in Who Was Jackie Robinson? st, Paul L. Batesrefused to authorize the legal action, [66] Robinson was summarily transferred to the th Battalion —where the commander quickly consented to charge Robinson with multiple offenses, including, among other charges, public drunkenness, even though Robinson did not drink. By the time of the court-martial in Augustthe charges against Robinson had been reduced to two counts of insubordination during questioning. Although his former unit, the st Tank Battalion, became the first black tank unit to see combat in World War II, Robinson's court-martial proceedings prohibited him from being deployed overseas; thus, he never saw combat action. After his acquittal, he was transferred to Camp Breckinridge, Kentuckywhere he served as a coach for army athletics until receiving an honorable discharge in November After his discharge, Robinson briefly returned to his old football club, the Los Angeles Bulldogs. In earlywhile Robinson was at Sam Huston College, the Kansas City Monarchs sent him Who Was Jackie Robinson? written offer to play professional baseball in the Negro leagues. He had grown used to a structured playing environment in Who Was Jackie Robinson?, and the Negro leagues' disorganization and embrace of gambling interests appalled him. During the season, Robinson pursued potential major league interests. Who Was Jackie Robinson? black man had played in the major leagues since Moses Fleetwood Walker inbut the Boston Red Sox nevertheless held a tryout at Fenway Park for Robinson and other black players on April Who Was Jackie Robinson? teams, however, had more serious interest in signing a black ballplayer. In the mids, Branch Rickeyclub president and general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgersbegan to scout the Negro leagues for a possible addition to the Dodgers' roster. Rickey selected Robinson from a list of promising black players and interviewed him for possible assignment to Brooklyn's International League farm clubthe Montreal Royals. Although he required Robinson to keep the arrangement Who Was Jackie Robinson? secret for the time being, Rickey committed to formally signing Robinson before November 1, The best was Josh Gibson. I think that's one of the reasons why Josh died so early—he was heartbroken. Rickey's offer allowed Robinson to leave behind the Monarchs and their Who Was Jackie Robinson? bus rides, and he went home to Pasadena. Karl Downs. Clay Hopperthe manager of the Who Was Jackie Robinson?, asked Rickey to assign Robinson to any other Dodger affiliate, but Rickey refused. Robinson's presence was controversial in racially charged Florida. He was not allowed to stay with his white teammates at the team hotel, and instead lodged at the home of Joe and Dufferin Harris, a politically active African American couple who introduced the Robinsons to civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune. In Sanford, Floridathe police chief threatened to cancel games if Robinson and Wright did not cease training activities there; as a result, Robinson was sent back to Daytona Beach. After much lobbying of local officials by Rickey himself, the Royals were allowed to host a game involving Robinson in Daytona Beach. Robinson thus became the first black player to openly play for a minor league team against a major league team since the de facto baseball color line had been implemented in Who Was Jackie Robinson? s. Later in spring training, after some less-than-stellar performances, Robinson was shifted from shortstop to second baseallowing him to make shorter throws to first base. On April Who Was Jackie Robinson?,Roosevelt Stadium hosted the Jersey City Giants ' season opener against the Montreal Royalsmarking the professional debut of the Royals' Jackie Robinson and the first time the color barrier had been broken in a game between two minor league clubs. Although Sandel induced Robinson to ground out at his first at bat, Robinson ended up with four hits in his five trips to the plate; his first hit was a three-run home run in the game's third inning. Inthe Dodgers called Robinson up to the major leagues six days before the start of the season. With Eddie Stanky entrenched at second base for the Dodgers, Robinson played his initial major league season as a first baseman. Robinson's promotion met a generally positive, although mixed, reception among newspapers and white major league players. The brewing mutiny ended when Dodgers management took a stand for Robinson. Manager Leo Durocher informed the team, "I do not care if the guy is yellow or black, or if he has stripes like a fuckin' zebra. I'm the manager of this team, and I say he plays. What's more, I say he can make us all rich. And if any of you cannot use the money, I will see that you are all traded. Robinson was also derided by opposing teams. Louis Cardinals threatened to strike if Robinson played and to spread the walkout across the entire National League. The reporter, concerned about protecting Hyland's anonymity Who Was Jackie Robinson? job, in turn leaked it to his Tribune colleague and editor, Stanley Woodwardwhose own subsequent reporting with other sources protected Hyland. Those who do it will encounter quick retribution. All will be suspended and I don't care if it wrecks the National League for five years. This is the United States of America and one citizen has as much right to play as another. Dutton Award in for Best Sports Reporting. Even The Sporting Newsa publication that had backed the color line, came out against the idea of a strike. Robinson nonetheless became the target of rough physical play by opponents Who Was Jackie Robinson? the Cardinals. At one time, he received a seven-inch gash in his leg from Enos Slaughter. When he poured out that string of unconscionable abuse, he solidified and united thirty men. Robinson did, however, receive significant encouragement from several major league players. Robinson named Lee "Jeep" Handleywho played for the Phillies at the time, as the first opposing player to wish him well. Color is not one of them. Following an incident where Greenberg collided with Robinson at first base, he "whispered a few words into Robinson's ear", which Robinson later characterized as "words of encouragement. Robinson finished the season having played in games for the Dodgerswith a batting average of. He had hits scoring runs including 31 doubles, 5 triples, and 12 home runs, driving in 48 runs for the year. Robinson led the league in sacrifice hitswith 28, and in stolen bases, with Following Stanky's trade to the Boston Braves in MarchRobinson took over second base, where he logged a. Louis Cardinals on August 29,he hit for the cycle —a home runa triplea doubleand a single in the same game. Racial pressure on Robinson eased in when a number of other black players entered the major leagues. Larry Doby who broke the color barrier in the American League on July 5,just 11 weeks after Robinson and Satchel Paige played for the Cleveland Indiansand the Dodgers had three other black players besides Robinson. Between the tours, he underwent surgery Who Was Jackie Robinson? his Who Was Jackie Robinson? ankle. He lost the weight during training camp, but dieting left him weak at the plate. In the spring ofRobinson turned to Hall of Famer George Sislerworking as an advisor to the Dodgers, for batting help. At Sisler's suggestion, Robinson spent hours at a batting tee, learning to hit the ball to Who Was Jackie Robinson? field. Summer brought an unwanted distraction for Robinson. Robinson was reluctant to testify, but he eventually agreed to do so, fearing it might negatively Who Was Jackie Robinson? his career if he declined. InRobinson led the National League in double plays made by a second baseman with He Who Was Jackie Robinson? the year with 99 runs scored, a. Robinson's Hollywood exploits, however, did not sit well with Dodgers co-owner Walter O'Malleywho referred to Robinson as "Rickey's prima donna ". Weary of constant disagreements with O'Malley, and with no hope of being re-appointed as President Who Was Jackie Robinson? the Dodgers, Rickey cashed out his one-quarter financial interest in the team, leaving O'Malley in full control of the franchise. Robinson was disappointed at the turn of events and wrote a sympathetic letter to Rickey, whom he considered a father figure, stating, "Regardless of what happens to me in the future, it all can be placed on what you have done and, believe me, I appreciate it. Before the season, O'Malley reportedly offered Robinson the job of manager of the Montreal Royals, effective at the end of Robinson's playing career. O'Malley was quoted in the Montreal Standard as saying, "Jackie told me that he would be both delighted and honored to tackle this managerial post"—although reports differed as to whether a position was ever formally Who Was Jackie Robinson?. During the season, Robinson led the National League in double plays made by a second baseman for the second year in a row, with During the last game of the regular season, in the 13th inning, he had a hit to tie the game and then hit a home run in the 14th inning, which proved to be the winning margin. This forced a best-of-three playoff series against the crosstown rival New York Giants.