On December 1st, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus in Montgomery Alabama. Everyone has heard of this story, but what most people don’t know is that Lieutenant Jack “Jackie” Robinson also made the same action, 11 years earlier. On July 6th, 1944, Robinson was riding a military bus at Camp Hood in Waco, Texas during World War 2. Robinson was asked to move to the back of the bus by white men. He argued and fought until he arrived at his stop, in which they continued to argue with him, leading a bus dispatcher and a military policeman to join in. Robinson was then referred to as a “nigger Lieutenant” which enflamed him, causing him to say “he would break anyone in two if they use that word, no matter what rank or status
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On April 15th, 1947, Jackie Robinson shattered the color-barrier when he played first base for the Dodgers against the Boston Braves. Being the only black in a white baseball world proved tough for Robinson. His unsupportive teammates even started a petition to have him removed from the roster. Luckily, Rickey still had Robinson’s back. He threatened that if the players didn’t change their thoughts towards Robinson, they wouldn’t be playing. While struggling to befriend his whole team, Robinson had greater issues with pleasing the rest of white MLB. Opponents would throw racist taunts towards him, crowds threw tomatoes and watermelon slices at him, players would knock him down, his family would receive death threats, it was all out hell for Robinson. Following Rickey’s empowering words though, Robinson was able to channel this anger into improving his ball game. His 1949 season proved that Robinson was not getting weaker. He lead the league with a .342 batting average and 37 stolen bases. He was voted MLB’s most valuable player, and he also appeared in his first of six consecutive All-Star games. Between 1948 and 1953, Robinson's batting average was .323; he averaged 108 runs scored, 91 RBI, and 13 stolen bases. The Dodgers had the National League pennant six times during Robinson's 10 years with the team. Along with all this, the Dodgers won the World Series for the first time in 1955. Robinson was invincible, he …show more content…
He devoted most of his efforts into helping lives of african americans. Becoming the vice president for Chock Full O’Nuts Restaurant chain, he helped many african americans by giving them a chance of employment. He was made the chairman of the board of the Freedom National Bank, a project in black capitalism. He also became head of a construction company that built houses for black families. By the early 1970s, Robinson was still pressing for more integration in sports. Most of all he wanted to see a black manager in professional baseball, which became a reality when Frank Robinson became the first black major league baseball manager. Robinson was asked to throw out the ball to open the second game of the 75th World Series at Riverfront Stadium in 1972. Although still in his early 50s, Robinson was not in the best health. He had survived one heart attack, and was going through years of diabetes and high blood pressure. Less than two weeks after his ceremonial toss at the World Series, he collapsed at his home in Connecticut and died later that day on October 24th, 1972. His funeral at Riverside Church in New York City attracted more than 2,500 people, including many celebrities and political figures. Thousands lined the streets as Robinson's body was taken to Brooklyn for
On April 15th, 1947, Jackie Robinson shattered the color-barrier when he played first base for the Dodgers against the Boston Braves. Being the only black in a white baseball world proved tough for Robinson. His unsupportive teammates even started a petition to have him removed from the roster. Luckily, Rickey still had Robinson’s back. He threatened that if the players didn’t change their thoughts towards Robinson, they wouldn’t be playing. While struggling to befriend his whole team, Robinson had greater issues with pleasing the rest of white MLB. Opponents would throw racist taunts towards him, crowds threw tomatoes and watermelon slices at him, players would knock him down, his family would receive death threats, it was all out hell for Robinson. Following Rickey’s empowering words though, Robinson was able to channel this anger into improving his ball game. His 1949 season proved that Robinson was not getting weaker. He lead the league with a .342 batting average and 37 stolen bases. He was voted MLB’s most valuable player, and he also appeared in his first of six consecutive All-Star games. Between 1948 and 1953, Robinson's batting average was .323; he averaged 108 runs scored, 91 RBI, and 13 stolen bases. The Dodgers had the National League pennant six times during Robinson's 10 years with the team. Along with all this, the Dodgers won the World Series for the first time in 1955. Robinson was invincible, he …show more content…
He devoted most of his efforts into helping lives of african americans. Becoming the vice president for Chock Full O’Nuts Restaurant chain, he helped many african americans by giving them a chance of employment. He was made the chairman of the board of the Freedom National Bank, a project in black capitalism. He also became head of a construction company that built houses for black families. By the early 1970s, Robinson was still pressing for more integration in sports. Most of all he wanted to see a black manager in professional baseball, which became a reality when Frank Robinson became the first black major league baseball manager. Robinson was asked to throw out the ball to open the second game of the 75th World Series at Riverfront Stadium in 1972. Although still in his early 50s, Robinson was not in the best health. He had survived one heart attack, and was going through years of diabetes and high blood pressure. Less than two weeks after his ceremonial toss at the World Series, he collapsed at his home in Connecticut and died later that day on October 24th, 1972. His funeral at Riverside Church in New York City attracted more than 2,500 people, including many celebrities and political figures. Thousands lined the streets as Robinson's body was taken to Brooklyn for