Jackie Robinson

Jackie posing for a picture (http://www.eurweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/J ())

   "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." This quote by Jackie Robinson depicted exactly what he wanted to achieve in his own lifetime, he wanted to make an impact on the other lives around him. No one would have ever guessed that an African American ball player from Georgia would have made such a big impact on the world along with its perspectives. Jackie Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia on January 31, 1919. Robinson did not know it at the time that he would be the first African American to play in the Major League Baseball. He was a natural athlete and played many sports during high school and college. He was also very educated and had the opportunity to attend UCLA in California. When Robinson first started to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers, which is now known as the Los Angeles Dodgers, he stated that "I will flunk it or quit before the end for only any other reason than I wasn't good enough." Jackie Robinson, a major icon in baseball, inspired thousands upon thousands to do great things as well as show us that no matter the skin color we are all equal.            

      Every time Jackie Robinson walked out onto the diamond, he knew that it would be a battle. He knew that he would be treated unfairly and in inhumane ways just because of the color of his skin. He knew all this and still wanted to play ball. These bumps in the road wouldn't stop him from doing what he loved. Jackie Robinson is the definition of bravery. When Robinson and his coach were signing documents to get him on the team, many others at the time disagreed. ". Many sports owners and writers were against these interrogations but both Ricky and Robinson were confident of the move."(Business). Robinson was very brave to move on with the contract while everyone doubted him and people were claiming he marked the end of Major League Baseball. Other people would have backed down if they knew they would have been subjected to all these things Robinson had to go through but he stood his ground and went through all the pain and suffering and pushed on. During the Dodger games when Robinson was playing; "The Southern crowd booed him with a torrent of mass hatred."(Milbert). Robinson knew that every time he would play games, he would be subjected to rude remarks of the crowds as well as the players but this did not make him back down. He struggled with this and at the end of the day was still brave enough to face the crowd. Robinson was a very brave man. He was subjected to many rude remarks, death threats, and abused by other players but still wasn't too frightened to go out on the field because of his bravery.

42 badge (http://www.gammonsdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/201 ())

  Throughout Robinson's life and baseball career he decided that he wouldn't give up when things got tough. Robinson did just that, he was determined. When Robinson was being interviewed by a sports station he said; ". There is no possible chance that I will flunk it or quit before the end for any other reason than that I am not a good enough ball player."(Jackie Robinson). This quote is very powerful because it shows that Robinson is very strong and determined not to back down or quit. He is going to push until the end and give the sport that entire he has got to offer. Robinson knew that he could not back down on this opportunity to play with the dodgers in the MLB. If he were to back down, he would have let all the people in his life who said he wasn't equal win. This was Robinson's main drive to show those people that it can be done. While Robinson was playing a game in the south; "Pitchers often threw the ball directly at Robinson, base runners tried to spike him and he was subjected to a constant stream of insults. " I don't think I know anyone more determined than Robinson was, how hard it must have been for him to go through the constant disrespect. He did not allow it to bother him because of the love he had for baseball and the belief he had in himself. Game after game he would endure mistreatment but wouldn't back down, he would not quit. He just kept on chasing after what he believed in. It takes a person with great perseverance, dedication and faith to withstand what Robinson had endured. It all of these things that Robinson accomplished that makes him the iconic legend he is today. 

Jackie playing foot ball (http://www.jackierobinson.ymca.org/lib-local/asset ())

Jackie Robinson once said, "Life is not a spectator sport. If you spend your whole life watching what goes on, in my opinion that is a waste of life."  Throughout Robinson's life he inspired many people. He proved and showed us that the impossible is possible. "Robinson let his playing do the talking, and before long he was known as one of the most exciting players in baseball. Soon fans both black and white were filling ballparks to see him in action. At that point the Dodgers set new attendance records, they were higher than they have ever had been.This was during a time when African Americans were mistreated and disrespected based solely on their skin tone. Jackie Robinson fought and showed that we are all equal no matter the skin color and made a huge impact on the world that was felt across the nation. He went from being booed and threatened to being saluted as one of the best ball players' in baseball history. Robinson accomplished many great things during his lifetime and has inspired many others to do so to. This is why, to me, Jackie Robinson is the definition of a hero.

Works Cited

"Business." Jackie Robinson. CMG Worldwide, 2011. Web. 26 Mar. 2015.

"Jackie Robinson." Contemporary Black Biography. Vol. 6. Detroit: Gale, 1994. Biography      

      in Context. Web. 20 Mar. 2015

Milbert, Neil. "Robinson, Jackie." World Book Student. World Book, 2015. Web. 26 Mar.                      

       2015.

Finkelman Paul. "Jackie Robinson." Great Lives From History: The Twentieth Century   

      (2008): 1. Biography Reference Center. Web. 25 Mar. 2015.