Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson (http://jackierobinsonfacts.com/)

“Our greatest glory is in not never failing, but in rising up every time we fall”- Ralph Waldo Emerson. Jackie Robinson was put down because of his race but never gave up and eventually reached his dream even though people were fighting against him along the way. Jackie Robinson was born on January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia. Robinson was the first African American baseball player to make it into the MLB in 1945 for the Brooklyn Dodgers. To me a hero must possess bravery and determination. Bravery is to face whatever is put in front of you no matter how afraid you might be. Determination is to power through mental and physical barriers even if you have a tough time you need to keep going even if you may have failed previous attempts. Jackie Robinson possesses many other traits that contribute to him being a hero but to me the most important ones are his bravery and determination. These two traits along with his others helped him on his journey to become the first African American baseball player in the modern era.

Jackie Robinson (http://www.whshistoryproject.org/1950s/baseball.html)

Robinson’s most important trait to be a hero in my opinion is his bravery. Once he entered the MLB he caused a lot of problems because many of the fans didn't want him there. The same goes for the players on the opposing teams and even his team. Multiple games were canceled due to the controversy of a black man playing in the ML. Other teams even went on strike sometimes and opposing pitchers would intentionally peg Robinson rather than just let him bat, base runners would try to spike him on the base path. Through this entire time Robinson often faced racial slurs, death threats, and kidnapping threats to his son Jackie Jr. In 1947 Robinson became the first African American in modern baseball for the Dodgers. Shortly after baseball became desegregated other professional sports followed then hotels and restaurants also started to allow Blacks in their buildings. Through all of this Robinson’s bravery kept him going through all this turmoil. His bravery pushed him every day to face his neighbors, fans, teammates, and opposing players who all put him down just because of the color of his skin.

Robinson and Rickey (http://www.insidesocal.com/tomhoffarth/archives/2008/04/rickey_redford.html)

In my opinion Robinson’s second most important trait was his determination. Branch Rickey was the man who chose Robinson to pioneer African Americans in Baseball. He chose Robinson because he knew after watching him in the Negro leagues that if anyone could break the color barrier it would be Robinson because of his drive and determination. Rickey knew that these traits Robinson possessed would lead him to the success he had because these traits helped Robinson surpass all the negative comments, threats, and injuries he had to endure along the way to achieving his dream and playing in the MLB. Throughout his career Robinson’s determination lead him to be the pioneer African American professional baseball player and lead the way for African American athletes everywhere.

Robinson Steals Home (http://bestbaseballpictures.com/jackie-robinson-steals-home/)

Robinson’s courage and determination lead him down the path of fame, fortune and success in the professional sports world. Robinson was the leader to African American athletes in all sports, not just baseball, and taught a lot of people to be determined and never give up on their dreams. Robinson inspires me because of his courage and bravery to keep after his dream through tough times and never gave up. Even when most people were against Robinson playing professional sports he persevered through and reached his ultimate goal of playing professional baseball. “Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.”- Gail Devers. Robinson was always determined to never give up on his ultimate goal. Robinson is remembered as the player who broke baseball’s color barrier but to me the greater achievement was that he opened the gateway for all African American athletes in all sports not just baseball.

"Robinson, Jackie." U*X*L Encyclopedia of U.S. History. Sonia Benson, Daniel E. Brannen, Jr.,and Rebecca Valentine. Ed. Lawrence W. Baker and Sarah Hermsen. Vol. 7. Detroit: UXL, 2009. 1324-1327. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 31 Mar. 2011.

Milbert, Neil. "Robinson, Jackie." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2011. Web. 31 Mar. 2011.

"Robinson, Jackie (1919-1972)." DISCovering Biography. Online ed. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Student Resource Center - Junior. Gale. DEL NORTE HIGH SCHOOL. 31 Mar. 2011 .

"Biography of Jackie Robinson." Jackie Robinson. Estate of Jackie Robinson, n.d. Web. 31 Mar 2011. .