Jackie Robinson: An African-American Hero

An American hero once said, “Life is not a spectator sport. If you 're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you 're wasting your life (Arrowood).” Jackie Robinson, a man who changed the face of American sports and freedom. Jackie Robinson was an African American baseball player in the major leagues. Before Robinson, there was no such thing as an African-American baseball player in the major leagues. Before Robinson, there was no respect for African-American athletes. If it wasn 't for Jackie Robinson, where would this world be about with racism and segregation today? Robinson made a difference in the world, through his high school sports, to his college, to the army, and through his …show more content…
They all fought Branch Rickey that “they would rather be traded than to play with Robinson” (Berndt, Hurt, Tawfeek). Branch Rickey didn 't argue and gave them the option to play or leave (Berndt, Hurt, Tawfeek). To be successful, Robinson had to overcome other obstacles that didn 't deal with his own team. Robinson received many cruel remarks about him even after proving to everyone that he was good enough to play in the Major Leagues along with everyone else. Hugh Duffy, the Chief scout and former star hitter, admitted that it was “too bad he was the wrong color” (Berndt, Hurt, Tawfeek). It was obvious that Robinson was very modest, very strong minded, and wouldn 't let any of the negativity get in his way of him playing baseball. His first year with the Brooklyn Dodgers Robinson had the most stolen bases out of the whole National League, and the most home run out of his whole team. That year Robinson was the first African American to win Rookie of the Year. He seemed to attract crowds not only because of his race, but also because of his amazing talents (Conrads). At age thirty-seven, Robinson decided to retire (Berndt, Hurt, Tawfeek). Robinson’s ten years with the Dodgers won them a World Series championship in 1955, and six pennants (Berndt, Hurt, …show more content…
His legacy wasn 't just to become an unforgettable baseball player, but to also make a change in how things were in the world. The way things were were not fair, and he was the man to make a difference and make things right. Many men with the talents that Robinson had were very cocky, but Robinson was very modest. Being cocky would have not helped his situation, and I believe that being modest made things a lot easier for him. ’Brooke Lawrence, a pitcher with the Cincinnati Reds and a former Leaguer paid tribute to Robinson: “You opened the door for me and others who followed you and when you opened you threw it wide open. You gave to us a new way of life for which we will be eternally grateful”(Conrads). Jackie Robinson, an American hero, will be looked up to and treasured