Jackie Robinson

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"The Major Leagues had not had an African American player since 1889, when baseball became segregated."(Robinson - The Official Site). Jackie Robinson was the first African American to ever set foot on a Major league field. Robinson was born on January 31, 1919 in Georgia, Cairo.("Jackie Robinson." Contemporary). Growing up, Jackie only had mother who took care of 4 other children. When Jackie was a toddler, his mom moved them to California to start a new life. When he grew up, he attended UCLA. At UCLA he lettered in 4 sports. He played football, baseball, track, and basketball. Jackie then went to enlist in the Army. After the Army, Jackie went on to play baseball in the Negro leagues. Then in late 1947 the Brooklyn Dodgers asked Jackie to play with them. Jackie was the First African American to play in the MLB. His arrival to the MLB in 1947 prompted a slew of racial comments toward Jackie. But through it all Jackie was one of the best who played the game and was elected into the hall of fame in 1962. His number, 42, is retired around the league to remember him. Jackie is a hero to many for his bravery. Through the racial comments and injuries because of his race, Jackie was brave to play with all whites. Jackie's heart was in the game every game for the full 9 innings. He always left everything on the field. Jackie's hard work paid off in the end, when he won the league's MVP award and the league batting title. Jackie Robinson is my hero not only because he was the first African American to play in the MLB, but also he is really brave, a hard worker, and has heart.

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          Jackie Robinson had an immense amount of bravery, to be playing in the MLB at a time when segregation was occurring. When Jackie first arrived with the Brooklyn Dodgers in late 1945, He was hated throughout the league by the other players. "Pitchers often threw the ball directly at Robinson, base runners tried to spike him, and he was subjected to a steady stream of racial insults. He received hate mail, death threats, and even warnings that his baby boy would be kidnapped."("Jackie Robinson." Contemporary). Jackie was really brave to keep playing in the pros, especially with all of the things happening around him. Through racial segregation Jackie was singled out because of his skin color, but through it all Jackie was one of the best who played the game and one everyone wanted to see play. Jackie Robinson played a few years in the Negro leagues for awhile until the Brooklyn Dodgers asked Jackie to play with them. "The Major Leagues had not had an African-American player since 1889, when baseball became segregated." (Robinson - The Official Site). Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play in the big leagues. Jackie Robinson played in the MLB even though he was hated because of his ethnicity. Through Jackie's bravery, he broke the Major Leagues color barrier so that blacks could now play in the MLB.

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          Through Jackie's hard work, he became one of the best to play in the MLB. Jackie's hard work in the majors was soon recognized by the fans and soon Jackie became a must see. "Robinson let his playing do the talking, and before long he was known as one of the most exciting players in baseball."(Jackie Robinson. Contemporary). Jackie's hard work in the MLB paid off when people started to recognize how good of a player he was. Soon Jackie was the talk around the MLB and everyone wanted to come see him play. Jackie's hard work paid off and he never stopped working hard. "That year, he also won the league's batting championship with a .342 average."(Jackie Robinson. World book). Jackie's hard work to become a better play paid off in the end when he won the batting title for the league. Jackie's hard work on the field showed, and his hard work never stopped, no matter what was thrown his way. Robinson was a great athlete and a hard worker and no matter the circumstance, Jackie always worked hard.

          Robinson was not only brave, had heart, and was a hard worker, but he had the drive to bat better that anybody. Jackie was the first to play in MLB as an African American. Jackie was the first to letter in 4 sports in college. He was the first African American to be elected into the Hall of Fame in 1962. Jackie Robinson inspired me to never give up. Back then it was really hard for him to fit in because he was the only black playing in the MLB. Through it all, Jackie still played hard and worked hard no matter the situation and always strived to get better. Jackie Robinson is one of the best players to play the game. He was the first black to play in the MLB and the first black to be elected into the Hall of Fame. Jackie Robinson's number 42 is retired in his memory.

Works Consulted

"Featured Baseball Personalities." - Jackie Robinson. Library Of Congress. Web. 17 May 2012. .

"Jackie Robinson." Contemporary Black Biography. Vol. 6. Detroit: Gale, 1994. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 3 May 2012.

"Jackie Robinson." DISCovering Multicultural America: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 9 May 2012.

"Jackie Robinson - The Official Site." Jackie Robinson. Jackie Robinson, 2011. Web. 01 May 2012. .

Milbert, Neil. "Robinson, Jackie." World Book Student. World Book, 2012. Web. 8 May 2012.

Mutsuko Otake. "Jackie Robinson." Jackie Robinson. World Changers. Web. 17 May 2012. .

Smartguy666. "Been News." Jackie Robinson :. Been News, 16 Apr. 2012. Web. 17 May 2012. .

Mutsuko Otake. "Jackie Robinson." Jackie Robinson. World Changers. Web. 17 May 2012. .