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On April 10th 1947, Jackie Robinson made history by becoming the first black player to play baseball in the major leagues. Jackie Robinson paved the way for many blacks, by helping to end segregation in a discriminative time in history. ... Jackie’s integration to baseball was so significant because he did not have any movements or any freedom laws to back him, such as the Civil Rights Movement. ... As stated in his book, Jackie Robinson: The Integration of Baseball, Scott Simon proclaims that Jackie Robinson was a hero:
…But even by the wiser standard, Jackie Robinson was a hero. The
baseball diamond is not simply a playing field in his story…Jackie
Robinson gave his life for something great; heroes do. ...
(Simon 4)
Through part of his life, Robinson developed the necessary skills needed, to become the first black player in the major leagues, to be a big part in the civil rights movement, and to help put an end to segregation and discrimination.
Life Before Professional Baseball
Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia. ... Jackie wasnt very academic, but he excelled in sports. ... He had many accomplishments, but one that stands out in his college years was when alongside Kenny Washington almost took UCLA to the Rose Bowl (Robinson 1). Since Jackie was so talented, he received a full athletic scholarship to attend UCLA. Jackie was also one of the only African Americans to attend UCLA, as well as the first to play all four sports. ... In his book, The Jackie Robinson Reader, Jules Tygiel states that Jackie Robinson encountered many problems while stationed in the army. “Like many of his fellow African-American soldiers, Robinson fought his worst battles not in Europe or Asia, but on the home front: his antagonist not Hitler nor Tojo, but Jim Crow” (Tygiel 39). Robinson refused to sit with the rest of the blacks on his bus, and he was charged with a court martial. Although it he was found innocent, he was discharged on medical grounds, and was given an honorable discharge (Robinson, 1). In 1945, Robinson signed a contract with the Kansas City Monarchs of the (NAL) Negro American League for four-hundred and fifty dollars a month (Robinson 1). There, Jackie fought for players’ rights, and helped get increases for players’ salaries, and played great ball.
The Minor Leagues
On October 23, 1945, Jackie Robinson signed a contract with one of the Brooklyn Dodgers’ farm teams, the Montreal Royals in the International League. But, before the signing, Branch Rickey, Brooklyns General Manager, put Jackie Robinson to the test:
For three hours, Rickey harangued Robinson . ... graphically illustrating
the difficulties Robinson might face. ... “His acting was so convincing that I found myself chain-grip-
ping my fingers behind my back,” wrote Robinson. In the face of this
onslaught Robinson finally responded, "Mr. ...
(Tygiel 198)
Robinson then realized that Rickey wanted him to “turn the other cheek” when players and/or fans were to insult him with racist comments.
Approximate Word count = 2410
Approximate Pages = 9.6
(250 words per page double spaced)
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