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 in the United States Army. However, he never saw the action. While in the Army, Robinson signed with the Montreal Royals. But in Ford Hood, Texas, Jackie got arrested because he stood up for his rights and did not want to go to the back of the bus. Jackie's excellent reputation, combined with the efforts of friends, the NAACP and various black newspapers, shed public light on the injustice, and he was ultimately acquitted of the charges and received an honorable discharge. His courage and moral objection to segregation were precursors to the impact Jackie would have in major league baseball. After his discharge from the Army in 1944, Robinson began to play baseball professionally. At the time the league was separated by colors, the Negro League and Baseball League. Robinson was in the Negro League, but he went to the Montreal Royals to play baseball in the International League. He was playing so good playing with the Royals he made into the major league. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson became the first African American to play baseball ever in the major league. He was booed and ridiculed by the crowds in the away games but in time people learned to respect him. Robinson never backed down, he kept going no matter what. Some people tried as hard as they could to get in his head, but he wouldn't let it happen. Jackie Robinson was determined to be great and lead the way for many African American players to come. On February 10, 1946 Jackie Robinson married the wonderful Rachel Robinson. Together they had 3 children, Sharon, David and Jackie Jr. They settled in Brooklyn, New York, where Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Rachel was very supportive of Jackie Robinson's goal to pursue baseball professionally. They both stood for racial equality and had a big impact on civil rights activism Jackie Robinson came from a beginning that was humble and crossed baseball's color barrier. He became loved by many Americans, and stood for and influenced many people. On his journey, he had to deal with many troubles. Due to financial issues, Robinson was forced to leave UCLA in the spring of 1941 and was drafted into the Army in 1942. During his time …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 in the United States Army. However, he never saw the action. While in the Army, Robinson signed with the Montreal Royals. But in Ford Hood, Texas, Jackie got arrested because he stood up for his rights and did not want to go to the back of the bus. Jackie's excellent reputation, combined with the efforts of friends, the NAACP and various black newspapers, shed public light on the injustice, and he was ultimately acquitted of the charges and received an honorable discharge. His courage and moral objection to segregation were precursors to the impact Jackie would have in major league baseball. After his discharge from the Army in 1944, Robinson began to play baseball professionally. At the time the league was separated by colors, the Negro League and Baseball League. Robinson was in the Negro League, but he went to the Montreal Royals to play baseball in the International League. He was playing so good playing with the Royals he made into the major league. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson became the first African American to play baseball ever in the major league. He was booed and ridiculed by the crowds in the away games but in time people learned to respect him. Robinson never backed down, he kept going no matter what. Some people tried as hard as they could to get in his head, but he wouldn't let it happen. Jackie Robinson was determined to be great and lead the way for many African American players to come. On February 10, 1946 Jackie Robinson married the wonderful Rachel Robinson. Together they had 3 children, Sharon, David and Jackie Jr. They settled in Brooklyn, New York, where Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Rachel was very supportive of Jackie Robinson's goal to pursue baseball professionally. They both stood for racial equality and had a big impact on civil rights activism Jackie Robinson came from a beginning that was humble and crossed baseball's color barrier. He became loved by many Americans, and stood for and influenced many people. On his journey, he had to deal with many troubles. Due to financial issues, Robinson was forced to leave UCLA in the spring of 1941 and was drafted into the Army in 1942. During his time …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.