Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia. The youngest of five other siblings, Robinson was raised in poverty by a single mom. He attended John Muir High School and Pasadena Junior College, where he was an extraordinary athlete and played four sports; football, basketball, track, and baseball. He was named the Most Valuable Player in baseball in 1938. Jackie then took his talents to UCLA, where he got accepted there on 4 sports scholarships. His older brother, Matthew, is the one who helped him strive to focus more on baseball. However, after 3 1/2 years of college at UCLA he dropped out because of financial problems. Later after that he got drafted to the army.
From 1942 to 1944, Jackie was a Second Lieutenant …show more content…
He also spoke against the slow pace of baseball integration. Robinson wanted to use baseball's economic power by getting other ball players involved to desegregate southern towns, hotel, and ballparks.
Jackie Robinson's career was not easy. On the road he was forced to stay in separate hotels, and not only were the fans and media racist toward him, but also some of Jackie Robinson's teammates were as well.
Throughout the season the racism continued, mostly by the Philadelphia Phillies including their manager Ben Chapman. Chapman and his team shouted negative terms toward Robinson, during in infamous game from their dugout. Players on the opposing teams and even his own teammates threatened to not play during the games with Jackie. The Dodgers manager Leo Durocher made it clear to them that he would trade them sooner than Robinson. Leo's loyalty to Robinson set the tone for the rest of his career with the Dodgers.
Pee Wee Reese, the Dodgers shortstop, walked up to Jackie and put his arm around him in an incident where the fans from his hometown were harassing Robinson. This was a legendary gesture that became a major part of baseball's history. There is a statue in Brooklyn to honor this gesture.
From 1942 to 1944, Jackie was a Second Lieutenant …show more content…
He also spoke against the slow pace of baseball integration. Robinson wanted to use baseball's economic power by getting other ball players involved to desegregate southern towns, hotel, and ballparks.
Jackie Robinson's career was not easy. On the road he was forced to stay in separate hotels, and not only were the fans and media racist toward him, but also some of Jackie Robinson's teammates were as well.
Throughout the season the racism continued, mostly by the Philadelphia Phillies including their manager Ben Chapman. Chapman and his team shouted negative terms toward Robinson, during in infamous game from their dugout. Players on the opposing teams and even his own teammates threatened to not play during the games with Jackie. The Dodgers manager Leo Durocher made it clear to them that he would trade them sooner than Robinson. Leo's loyalty to Robinson set the tone for the rest of his career with the Dodgers.
Pee Wee Reese, the Dodgers shortstop, walked up to Jackie and put his arm around him in an incident where the fans from his hometown were harassing Robinson. This was a legendary gesture that became a major part of baseball's history. There is a statue in Brooklyn to honor this gesture.