Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson Posing for the Hall of Fame (http://www.baseballhalloffame.org)

Jackie Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, in rural Georgia. As a kid Jackie enjoyed every sport. Robinson throughout his life was discriminated for being black. Jackie single-handedly changed the face of Major League Baseball when on April 15, 1947 when he played his first game for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He had done what no black man had done before, to overcome adversity to become the first black person to play Major League Baseball.

Jackie Robinson never had an easy life. Jackie’s father, Jerry, left him when he was only six months old. His family moved to Pasadena, California in 1920. Jackie played a number of sports and games when he was a kid. He played marbles, dodgeball, tennis, golf, soccer, football, baseball, and basketball. Jackie was very competitive and did not want to lose any game. He went to college at Pasadena Junior College, then to UCLA. He became the first athlete to letter in four sports. He played football, basketball, baseball, and was an NCAA champion long jumper.

Jackie Robinson Sliding Home (http://www.jackierobinson.com/about/photos/index.html)

Jackie Robinson was drafted into the Army after Pearl Harbor and was a second lieutenant. In the Army he was taken to court after refusing to sit in the back of a bus. He was proven innocent and then was given an honorable discharge from the Army. In 1945 he played shortstop for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues. In the summer of 1945 Jackie was selected to integrate professional baseball. He played second base for the Brooklyn Dodgers farm team, the Montreal Royals. He led the minor leagues with a .349 batting average and 40 stolen bases. Then on April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier of Major League baseball. While Jackie did not get a hit he did score the game winning run. He didn’t have it easy though, the St. Louis Cardinals and some players from his own team threatened to strike. Jackie became the vice president of Chock Full o’ Nuts after retirement. But on October 24, 1972 he died of a heart attack at age 53. Major League Baseball dedicated the 1997 season to all of Jackie’s accomplishments for the 50th anniversary of his debut. Now when you walk into any baseball stadium you will see his number 42 retired by every club to remember him.

Jackie Robinson is a hero to all near and far because he showed this country and the world that no person should be forbidden to work or do anything they please because of the color of their skin. He is considered a hero to all near and far because his story can inspire you and teach you not to judge people by the color of their skin, but on the inside, whether it is skill or personality.

When Jackie Robinson stepped on a baseball diamond no black man had played on or was allowed to play on before. In the dugout when Pee Wee Reese put his arm around Jackie it showed this whole country that people, regardless of the color of their skin or what they believe in are people that they can do anything that they want to do.