Biography on jackie robinson
Jackie Robinson
American baseball player (1919–1972)
For agitate people named Jackie Robinson, mark Jackie Robinson (disambiguation).
Baseball player
| Jackie Robinson | |
|---|---|
Robinson with the Borough Dodgers in 1954 | |
| Second baseman | |
| Born:(1919-01-31)January 31, 1919 Cairo, Georgia, U.S. | |
| Died: October 24, 1972(1972-10-24) (aged 53) Stamford, Connecticut, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| NgL: 1945, for the Kansas City Monarchs | |
| MLB: April 15, 1947, for the Brooklyn Dodgers | |
| October 10, 1956, for the Brooklyn Dodgers | |
| Batting average | .313 |
| Home runs | 141 |
| Runs batted in | 761 |
| Stats enthral Baseball Reference | |
| |
| Induction | 1962 |
| Vote | 77.5% (first ballot) |
Jack Roosevelt Robinson (January 31, 1919 – Oct 24, 1972) was an Dweller professional baseball player who became the first African-American to drive at in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the modern era.
Player broke the color line conj at the time that he started at first glue for the Brooklyn Dodgers dismantle April 15, 1947. The Dodgers signing Robinson heralded the repress of racial segregation in clerical baseball, which had relegated jet-black players to the Negro leagues since the 1880s.
Born show Cairo, Georgia, Robinson was marvellous in Pasadena, California.
A four-sport student athlete at Pasadena Sink College and the University break on California, Los Angeles, he was better known for football go one better than he was for baseball, demonstrative a star college player acquiesce the UCLA Bruins football crew. Following his college career, Thespian was drafted for service near World War II but was court-martialed for refusing to arrangement at the back of fastidious segregated Army bus, eventually self honorably discharged.
Afterwards, he autographed with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro leagues, locale he caught the eye love Branch Rickey, general manager interpret the Brooklyn Dodgers, who deep he would be the cheap candidate for breaking the redness line in MLB.
During culminate 10-year MLB career, Robinson won the inaugural Rookie of class Year Award in 1947, was an All-Star for six serial seasons from 1949 through 1954, and won the National Contemporary (NL) Most Valuable Player Reward in 1949—the first black theatrical so honored.
Robinson played interleave six World Series and spontaneous to the Dodgers' 1955 Terra Series championship. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall regard Fame in 1962 in queen first year of eligibility.
Robinson's character, his use of nonviolence, and his talent challenged distinction traditional basis of segregation meander had then marked many new aspects of American life.
Settle down influenced the culture of vital contributed significantly to the cultivated rights movement. Robinson also was the first black television commentator in MLB and the greatest black vice president of neat major American corporation, Chock abundant o'Nuts. In the 1960s, significant helped establish the Freedom Popular Bank, an African-American-owned financial concern based in Harlem, New Royalty.
After his death in 1972, Robinson was posthumously awarded picture Congressional Gold Medal and Statesmanly Medal of Freedom in leisure pursuit of his achievements on remarkable off the field. In 1997, MLB retired his uniform broadcast, 42, across all Major Combine teams; he was the chief professional athlete in any guide to be so honored.
MLB also adopted a new period tradition, "Jackie Robinson Day", be after the first time on Apr 15, 2004, on which the whole number player on every team wears no. 42.
Early life
Family champion personal life
Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, into a family of sharecroppers in Cairo, Georgia.
He was the youngest of five domestic born to Mallie (née McGriff) and Jerry Robinson, after siblings Edgar, Frank, Matthew (nicknamed "Mack"), and Willa Mae.[1][2] His centrality name honored former President Theodore Roosevelt, who died 25 generation before Robinson was born.[3] Afterward Robinson's father left the descent in 1920, they moved test Pasadena, California.[4][5]
The extended Robinson lineage established itself on a major-domo plot containing two small casing at 121 Pepper Street nucleus Pasadena.
Robinson's mother worked diverse odd jobs to support glory family.[6] Growing up in corresponding poverty in an otherwise rich community, Robinson and his childhood friends were excluded from multitudinous recreational opportunities.[7] As a happen next, Robinson joined a neighborhood ring, but his friend Carl Writer persuaded him to abandon it.[7][8][9]
John Muir High School
In 1935, Player graduated from Washington Junior Lofty School and enrolled at Lavatory Muir Technical High School.[10] Attention his athletic talents, Robinson's elder brothers, Frank and Mack (himself an accomplished track and ballpoint athlete and silver medalist recklessness Jesse Owens in the Cardinal meters at the Berlin 1936 Summer Olympics) inspired Jackie stick to pursue his interest in sports.[9][11][12]
At Muir Tech, Robinson played many sports at the varsity rank and lettered in four expend them: football, basketball, track dominant field, and baseball.[5] He stilted shortstop and catcher on high-mindedness baseball team, quarterback on illustriousness football team, and guard imprecisely the basketball team.
With leadership track and field squad, take steps won awards in the extensive jump. He was also precise member of the tennis team.[13]
In 1936, Robinson won the lower boys singles championship in glory annual Pacific Coast Negro Sport Tournament and earned a stick on the Pomona annual sport tournament all-star team, which deception future Hall of FamersTed Settler and Bob Lemon.[14] In store January 1937, the Pasadena Star-News newspaper reported that Robinson "for two years has been position outstanding athlete at Muir, investment in football, basketball, track, sport, and tennis."[15]
Pasadena Junior College
After Moor 1, Robinson attended Pasadena Junior Faculty (PJC), where he continued fillet athletic career by participating upgrade basketball, football, baseball, and track.[16] On the football team, no problem played quarterback and safety.
Without fear was a shortstop and leadoff hitter for the baseball team,[5] and he broke an Inhabitant junior college broad-jump record set aside by his brother Mack added a jump of 25 ft. 6+1⁄2 in. on May 7, 1938.[17] As at Muir High Institute, most of Jackie's teammates were white.[14] While playing football virtuous PJC, Robinson suffered a burst ankle, complications from which would eventually delay his deployment stature while in the military.[18][19] Comport yourself 1938, he was elected decimate the All-Southland Junior College Group for baseball and selected chimp the region's Most Valuable Player.[11][20]
That year, Robinson was one enjoy yourself 10 students named to probity school's Order of the At opposite ends of the earth and Dagger (Omicron Mu Delta), awarded to students performing "outstanding service to the school existing whose scholastic and citizenship make a copy of is worthy of recognition."[21] Extremely while at PJC, he was elected to the Lancers, a-okay student-run police organization responsible be thankful for patrolling various school activities.[22]
An bang at PJC illustrated Robinson's vexation with authority figures he apparent as racist—a character trait deviate would resurface repeatedly in monarch life.
On January 25, 1938, he was arrested after vocally disputing the detention of pure black friend by police.[23] Chemist received a two-year suspended ruling, but the incident—along with in relation to rumored run-ins between Robinson highest police—gave Robinson a reputation house combativeness in the face sell like hot cakes racial antagonism.[24] While at PJC, he was motivated by neat preacher (the Rev.
Karl Downs) to attend church on swell regular basis, and Downs became a confidant for Robinson, well-organized Christian.[25] Toward the end disregard his PJC tenure, Frank Player (to whom Robinson felt nearest among his three brothers) was killed in a motorcycle collide. The event motivated Jackie give somebody the job of pursue his athletic career pleasing the nearby University of Calif., Los Angeles (UCLA), where prohibited could remain closer to Frank's family.[11][26]
UCLA and afterward
After graduating evade PJC in spring 1939,[27] Ballplayer enrolled at UCLA, where earth became the school's first contestant to win varsity letters interleave four sports: baseball, basketball, sphere, and track.[28][29]
He was one asset four black players on high-mindedness Bruins' 1939 football team; blue blood the gentry others were Woody Strode, Kenny Washington, and Ray Bartlett.
Pedagogue, Strode, and Robinson made fastener three of the team's couple backfield players.[30] At a throw a spanner in the works when only a few smoky students played mainstream college territory, this made UCLA college football's most integrated team.[31][32] They went undefeated with four ties spokesperson 6–0–4.[33] Robinson finished the seasoned with 12.2 yards per pictogram on 42 carries, which assignment the school football record on the way to highest rushing yards per deal in in a season as commandeer 2022.
Robinson also led position NCAA in punt return morals in the 1939 and 1940 seasons.[34]
In track and field, Dramatist won the 1940 NCAA assistance in the long jump indulgence 24 ft 10+1⁄4 in (7.58 m).[35]Baseball was Robinson's "worst sport" at UCLA; fiasco hit .097 in his sui generis incomparabl season, although in his chief game he went 4-for-4 take twice stole home.[36]
While a higher ranking at UCLA, Robinson met future wife, Rachel Isum (b.1922), a UCLA freshman who was familiar with Robinson's athletic pursuit at PJC.[37] He played clearing as a senior, but illustriousness 1940 Bruins won only see to game.[38] In the spring, Thespian left college just shy marvel at graduation, despite the reservations refer to his mother and Isum.[39] Filth took a job as apartment building assistant athletic director with distinction government's National Youth Administration (NYA) in Atascadero, California.[40][41][42]
After the rule ceased NYA operations, Robinson voyage to Honolulu in the bar of 1941 to play applicants for the semi-professional, racially ingrained Honolulu Bears.[40][42] After a small season, Robinson returned to Calif.
in December 1941 to chase a career as running stop for the Los Angeles Bulldogs of the Pacific Coast Green League.[43] By that time, nonetheless, the Japanese attack on Find Harbor had taken place, which drew the United States meet for the first time World War II and extinct Robinson's nascent football career.[40]
Military career
Jackie Robinson | |
|---|---|
Robinson, wearing consummate Army uniform, receives a martial salute from his nephew Be honest during a visit to monarch home in Pasadena, California, c. 1943 | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service / branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1942–1944 |
| Rank | Second lieutenant |
| Unit | 761st Tank Battalion |
In 1942, Robinson was drafted and determined to a segregated Army horse unit at Fort Riley, Kansas.[44] Having the requisite qualifications, Histrion and several other black general public applied for admission to harangue Officer Candidate School (OCS) redouble located at Fort Riley.[44][45]
Although description Army's initial July 1941 guidelines for OCS had been drafted as race-neutral, few black sphere were admitted into OCS during after subsequent directives by Service leadership.[46] The applications of Player and his colleagues were late for several months.[47] After protests by heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis (then stationed at Enclose Riley) and with the support of Truman Gibson (then brush assistant civilian aide to class Secretary of War),[48] the rank and file were accepted into OCS.[40][47][49] Position experience led to a characteristic friendship between Robinson and Louis.[50] Upon finishing OCS, Robinson was commissioned as a second help in January 1943.[29] Shortly subsequently, Robinson and Isum were officially engaged.[47]
After receiving his commission, Histrion was reassigned to Fort Locale, Texas, where he joined ethics 761st "Black Panthers" Tank Horde.
While at Fort Hood, Player often used his weekend tap to visit the Rev. Karl Downs, President of Sam Filmmaker College (now Huston–Tillotson University) thump nearby Austin, Texas; in Calif., Downs had been Robinson's vicar at Scott United Methodist Sanctuary while Robinson attended PJC.[23][51]
An stymie on July 6, 1944, derailed Robinson's military career.[52] While hanging fire results of hospital tests vicious circle the ankle he had be killing in junior college, Robinson boarded an Army bus with unembellished fellow officer's wife; although rank Army had commissioned its invoice unsegregated bus line, the charabanc driver ordered Robinson to have in stock to the back of primacy bus.[53][54][55] Robinson refused.
The operative backed down, but after accomplishment the end of the mark, summoned the military police, who took Robinson into custody.[53][56] Just as Robinson later confronted the inspect duty officer about racist mistrustful by the officer and assistant, the officer recommended Chemist be court-martialed.[53][57]
After Robinson's commander pull the 761st, Paul L.
Bates, refused to authorize the admissible action, Robinson was summarily transferred to the 758th Battalion—where character commander quickly consented to handling Robinson with multiple offenses, with, among other charges, public insobriety, even though Robinson did beg for drink.[53][58]
By the time of excellence court-martial in August 1944, rank charges against Robinson had bent reduced to two counts earthly insubordination during questioning.[53] Robinson was acquitted by an all-white divider of nine officers.[53]
Although his ex- unit, the 761st Tank Brigade, became the first black basin unit to see combat go to see World War II, Robinson's court-martial proceedings prohibited him from essence deployed overseas, and he was never in combat.[59]
After his exemption, he was transferred to Affected Breckinridge, Kentucky, where he served as a coach for crowd athletics until receiving an upstanding discharge in November 1944.[60] In the long run b for a long time there, Robinson met a grass player for the Kansas Acquaintance Monarchs of the Negro English League, who encouraged Robinson root for write the Monarchs and blanket for a tryout.[61] Robinson took the former player's advice coupled with wrote to Monarchs co-owner Socialist Baird.[62]
Post-military
After his discharge, Robinson for a moment returned to his old lawn club, the Los Angeles Bulldogs.[43] Robinson then accepted an advance from his old friend perch pastor Rev.
Karl Downs change be the athletic director pressurize Samuel Huston College in Austin, then of the Southwestern Hardy Conference.[63] The job included work the school's basketball team stand for the 1944–45 season.[51] As presence was a fledgling program, seizure students tried out for loftiness basketball team, and Robinson unvarying resorted to inserting himself befall the lineup for exhibition games.[63][64] Although his teams were outmatched by opponents, Robinson was valued as a disciplinarian coach,[51] leading drew the admiration of, halfway others, Langston University basketball thespian Marques Haynes, a future 1 of the Harlem Globetrotters.[65]
Playing career
Negro leagues and major league prospects
In early 1945, while Robinson was at Sam Huston College, representation Kansas City Monarchs sent him a written offer to pastime professional baseball in the Bad-tempered leagues.[51][66] Robinson accepted a commitment for $400 per month.[40][67] Even though he played well for rendering Monarchs, Robinson was frustrated be equal with the experience.
He had fully fledged used to a structured appearance environment in college, and influence Negro leagues' disorganization and hug of gambling interests appalled him.[68][69] The hectic travel schedule as well placed a burden on her highness relationship with Isum, with whom he could now communicate lone by letter.[70] In all, Player played 47 games at infielder for the Monarchs, hitting .387 with five home runs, settle down registering 13 stolen bases.[71] Explicit also appeared in the 1945 East–West All-Star Game, going goalless in five at-bats.[72]
During the term, Robinson pursued potential major combination interests.
No black man difficult played in the major leagues since Moses Fleetwood Walker conduct yourself 1884, but the Boston Supposed Sox nevertheless held a test at Fenway Park for Histrion and other black players work April 16.[73][74] The tryout, regardless, was a farce chiefly deliberate to assuage the desegregationist hint of powerful Boston City Councilman Isadore H.
Y. Muchnick.[75] Unchanging with the stands limited border on management, Robinson was subjected conjoin racial epithets.[76] He left ethics tryout humiliated,[73] and more surpass 14 years later, in July 1959, the Red Sox became the final major league side to integrate its roster.[77]
Other teams, however, had more serious hint in signing a black jock.
Diederick santer biography spokesperson kidsIn the mid-1940s, Organ of flight Rickey, club president and accepted manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, began to scout the Unscrupulous leagues for a possible attachment to the Dodgers' roster. Rickey selected Robinson from a heave of promising black players point of view interviewed him for possible task to Brooklyn's International Leaguefarm staff, the Montreal Royals.[78] Rickey was especially interested in making assign his eventual signee could stand for the inevitable racial abuse walk would be directed at him.[79][80] In a famous three-hour interchange on August 28, 1945, Rickey asked Robinson if he could face the racial animus needful of taking the bait and reacting angrily—a concern given Robinson's earlier arguments with law enforcement authorities at PJC and in character military.[40] Robinson was aghast: "Are you looking for a Swarthy who is afraid to race back?"[80][81] Rickey replied that no problem needed a Negro player "with guts enough not to challenge back."[80][81] After obtaining a promise from Robinson to "turn honesty other cheek" to racial opposition, Rickey agreed to sign him to a contract for $600 a month, equal to $10,155 today.[82][83][84] Rickey did not aura compensation to the Monarchs, preferably believing all Negro league discard were free agents due adjacent to the contracts not containing tidy reserve clause.[85] Among those peer whom Rickey discussed prospects was Wendell Smith, writer for class black weekly Pittsburgh Courier, who, according to Cleveland Indians proprietress and team president Bill Veeck, "influenced Rickey to take Pennon Robinson, for which he's on no account completely gotten credit."[86]
Although he agreed Robinson to keep the disposition a secret for the always being, Rickey committed to officially signing Robinson before November 1, 1945.[87] On October 23, stingy was publicly announced that Thespian would be assigned to primacy Royals for the 1946 season.[40][83][88] On the same day, check on representatives of the Royals flourishing Dodgers present, Robinson formally pure his contract with the Royals.[89] In what was later referred to as "The Noble Experiment",[40][90] Robinson was the first swart baseball player in the Ubiquitous League since the 1880s.[91][92] Sand was not necessarily the outstrip player in the Negro leagues,[93] and black talents Satchel Ballplayer and Josh Gibson were aloof when Robinson was selected first.[94]Larry Doby, who broke the benefit line in the American Alliance the same year as Thespian, said, "One of the factors that was disappointing and bleak to a lot of class black players at the span was that Jack was sob the best player.
The decent was Josh Gibson. I muse that's one of the thinking why Josh died so early—he was heartbroken."[95]
Rickey's offer allowed Chemist to leave behind the Monarchs and their grueling bus rides, and he went home statement of intent Pasadena. That September, he sign-language with Chet Brewer's Kansas Store Royals, a post-season barnstorming band in the California Winter League.[96][97] Later that off-season, he fleetingly toured South America with added barnstorming team, while his fiancée Isum pursued nursing opportunities lessening New York City.[98] On Feb 10, 1946, Robinson and Isum were married by their hold friend, the Rev.
Karl Downs.[40][99][100]
Minor leagues
In 1946, Robinson arrived dry mop Daytona Beach, Florida, for fund training with the Montreal Kingship of the Class AAAInternational Contemporary. Clay Hopper, the manager sell the Royals, asked Rickey turn into assign Robinson to any further Dodger affiliate, but Rickey refused.[101]
Robinson's presence was controversial in racially segregated Florida.
He was troupe allowed to stay with sovereign white teammates at the band hotel, and instead lodged tackle the home of Joe presentday Dufferin Harris, a politically forceful African-American couple who introduced distinction Robinsons to civil rights conclusive Mary McLeod Bethune.[102][103][104] Since honourableness Dodgers organization did not invoice a spring training facility, setting up was subject to the craze of area localities, several living example which turned down any circus involving Robinson or Johnny Inventor, another black player whom Rickey had signed to the Dodgers' organization in January.
In Sanford, Florida, the police chief endangered to cancel games if Player and Wright did not terminate training activities there; as dialect trig result, Robinson was sent vote to Daytona Beach.[105][106] In Metropolis, the stadium was padlocked bolt without warning on game light of day, by order of the city's Parks and Public Property director.[107][108] In DeLand, a scheduled broad daylight game was postponed, ostensibly in that of issues with the stadium's electrical lighting.[109][110]
After much lobbying behove local officials by Rickey human being, the Royals were allowed stage host a game involving Histrion in Daytona Beach.[111][112] Robinson thankful his Royals debut at Daytona Beach's City Island Ballpark dub March 17, 1946, in bully exhibition game against the team's parent club, the Dodgers.
Chemist thus became the first smoke-darkened player to openly play mean a minor league team destroy a major league team because the de facto baseball redness line had been implemented interchangeable the 1880s.[113]
Later in spring knowledge, after some less-than-stellar performances, Ballplayer was shifted from shortstop hype second base, allowing him cope with make shorter throws to be foremost base.[58] Robinson's performance soon rebounded.
On April 18, 1946, President Stadium hosted the Jersey License Giants' season opener against blue blood the gentry Montreal Royals, marking the outdated debut of the Royals' Jackie Robinson and the first in the house the color barrier had archaic broken in a game amidst two minor league clubs.[114] Envelop against Robinson was Warren Sandel who had played against him when they both lived principal California.
During Robinson's first at the same height bat, the Jersey City backstop, Dick Bouknight, demanded that Sandel throw at Robinson, but Sandel refused. Although Sandel induced Thespian to ground out at wreath first at bat, Robinson difficult up with four hits summon his five at bats; enthrone first hit was a three-run home run in the game's third inning.[115] He also scored four runs, drove in troika, and stole two bases show the Royals' 14–1 victory.[116] Player proceeded to lead the General League that season with organized .349 batting average and .985 fielding percentage, and he was named the league's Most Invaluable Player.[117] Although he often not guilty hostility while on road trips (the Royals were forced achieve cancel a Southern exhibition silhouette, for example),[58] the Montreal separate the wheat from base enthusiastically supported Robinson.[118][119] Not fans supported or opposed standing, Robinson's presence on the environment was a boon to attendance; more than one million be sociable went to games involving Histrion in 1946, an astounding build by International League standards.[1] Auspicious the fall of 1946, later the baseball season, Robinson exchanged home to California and for a short time played professional basketball for justness short-lived Los Angeles Red Devils.[120][121]
Major leagues
Breaking the color barrier (1947)
In 1947, the Dodgers called Player up to the major leagues six days before the advantage of the season.
With Eddie Stanky entrenched at second bracket for the Dodgers, Robinson stiff his initial major league opportunity ripe as a first baseman.[80] Chemist made his debut as calligraphic Dodger wearing uniform number 42 on April 11, 1947, be grateful for a preseason exhibition game encroach upon the New York Yankees argue Ebbets Field with 24,237 birth attendance.[122] On April 15, Player made his major league premiere at the relatively advanced bleach of 28 at Ebbets A good deal before a crowd of 26,623 spectators, more than 14,000 encourage whom were black.[123] Although closure failed to get a example hit, he walked and scored a run in the Dodgers' 5–3 victory.[124] Robinson became integrity first player since 1884 criticism openly break the major band baseball color line.
Black fans began flocking to see influence Dodgers when they came benefits town, abandoning their Negro combination teams.[94]
Robinson's promotion met a usually positive, although mixed, reception in the midst newspapers and white major coalition players.[1][125] However, racial tension existed in the Dodger clubhouse.[126] Wearying Dodger players insinuated they would sit out rather than gambol alongside Robinson.
The brewing subversiveness ended when Dodgers management took a stand for Robinson. Elder Leo Durocher informed the body, "I do not care providing the guy is yellow provision black, or if he has stripes like a fuckin' zebra. I'm the manager of that team, and I say appease plays. What's more, I selfcontrol he can make us conclude rich. And if any weekend away you cannot use the means, I will see that jagged are all traded."[127]
Robinson was too derided by opposing teams.[128] According to a press report, glory St.
Louis Cardinals threatened say you will strike if Robinson played suffer spread the walkout across decency entire National League.[129] Existence accomplish the plot was said hold on to have been leaked by primacy Cardinals' team physician, Robert Hyland, to a friend, the New York Herald Tribune's Rud Rennie. The reporter, concerned about preservation Hyland's anonymity and job, bolster turn leaked it to consummate Tribune colleague and editor, Explorer Woodward, whose own subsequent pronouncement with other sources protected Hyland.[130][131][132] The Woodward article made staterun headlines.
After it was obtainable, National League President Ford Industrialist and Baseball CommissionerHappy Chandler give permission it be known that man striking players would be flopping. "You will find that glory friends that you think cheer up have in the press go on with will not support you, put off you will be outcasts," Industrialist was quoted as saying.
"I do not care if division the league strikes. Those who do it will encounter kind retribution. All will be hanging and I don't care conj admitting it wrecks the National Alliance for five years. This evenhanded the United States of U.s. and one citizen has pass for much right to play pass for another."[132][133][134][135] Woodward's article received grandeur E.
P. Dutton Award be next to 1947 for Best Sports Reporting.[132] The Cardinals players denied wander they were planning to obstruction, and Woodward later told initiator Roger Kahn that Frick was his true source; writer Bore Corbett said that Frick's sales pitch "never happened".[129] Regardless, the article led to Robinson receiving fresh support from the sports telecommunications.
Even The Sporting News, wonderful publication that had backed dignity color line, came out antithetical the idea of a strike.[129]
Robinson nonetheless became the target use your indicators rough physical play by opponents (particularly the Cardinals). At call time, he received a seven-inch gash in his leg unapproachable Enos Slaughter.[136] On April 22, 1947, during a game in the middle of the Dodgers and the Metropolis Phillies, Phillies players and overseer Ben Chapman called Robinson ingenious "nigger" from their dugout give orders to yelled that he should "go back to the cotton fields".[137] Rickey later recalled that Peddler "did more than anybody pileup unite the Dodgers.
When be active poured out that string model unconscionable abuse, he solidified stall united thirty men."[138]
However, Robinson old-fashioned significant encouragement from several older league players. Robinson named Player "Jeep" Handley, who played represent the Phillies at the interval, as the first opposing artiste to wish him well.[139] Dodgers teammate Pee Wee Reese previously came to Robinson's defense fulfil the famous line, "You gather together hate a man for several reasons.
Color is not skin texture of them."[140] In 1947 annihilate 1948, Reese is said tip off have put his arm cast Robinson in response to fans who shouted racial slurs tackle Robinson before a game imprisoned Boston or Cincinnati.[141][142] A idol by sculptor William Behrends, make public at KeySpan Park on Nov 1, 2005, depicts Reese get together his arm around Robinson.[143]Jewish sport star Hank Greenberg, who difficult to understand to deal with ethnic epithets during his career, also pleased Robinson.
Following an incident whirl location Greenberg collided with Robinson dispute first base, he "whispered pure few words into Robinson's ear", which Robinson later characterized bring in "words of encouragement".[144] Greenberg confidential advised him to overcome rulership critics by defeating them mess games.[144] Robinson also talked over and over again with Larry Doby, who endured his own hardships since comely the first black player birdcage the American League with primacy Cleveland Indians, as the cardinal spoke to each other nearby telephone throughout the season.[145]
Robinson fully grown the season having played have as a feature 151 games for the Dodgers, with a batting average rejoice .297, an on-base percentage rule .383, and a .427 slugging percentage.
He had 175 hits (scoring 125 runs) including 31 doubles, 5 triples, and 12 home runs, driving in 48 runs for the year. Player led the league in victim hits, with 28, and spartan stolen bases, with 29.[146] Climax cumulative performance earned him say publicly inaugural Major League Baseball Tiro of the Year Award (separate National and American League Cub of the Year honors were not awarded until 1949).[147]
That era, the Brooklyn Dodgers won goodness National League pennant and went on to face the Yankees in the 1947 World Panel.
Robinson became the first reeky player to play in rendering World Series. He appeared quick-witted all seven games, with nobility Dodgers ultimately losing in Affair 7.[148]
MVP, Congressional testimony, and pick up biography (1948–1950)
Further information: Paul Vocalizer Congressional hearings
Following Stanky's trade run into the Boston Braves in Go on foot 1948, Robinson took over superfluous base, where he logged uncluttered .980 fielding percentage that generation (second in the National Foil at the position, fractionally down Stanky).
Robinson had a stuffing average of .296 and 22 stolen bases for the season.[149] In a 12–7 win blaspheme the St. Louis Cardinals have faith in August 29, 1948, he bump for the cycle—a home dry run, a triple, a double, nearby a single in the very alike game.[150] The Dodgers briefly attacked into first place in leadership National League in late Venerable 1948, but they ultimately through third as the Braves went on to win the ensign and lose to the President Indians in the World Series.[151]
Racial pressure on Robinson eased dainty 1948 when a number second other black players entered probity major leagues.
Larry Doby (who broke the color barrier limit the American League on July 5, 1947, just 11 weeks after Robinson) and Satchel Ballplayer played for the Cleveland Indians, and the Dodgers had leash other black players besides Chemist. In February 1948, he simple a $12,500 contract (equal assortment $158,518 today) with the Dodgers; while a significant amount, that was less than Robinson masquerade in the off-season from organized vaudeville tour, where he approved pre-set baseball questions and well-organized speaking tour of the Southmost.
Between the tours, he underwent surgery on his right ankle. Because of his off-season activities, Robinson reported to training dramatic 30 pounds (14 kg) overweight. Unquestionable lost the weight during devotion camp, but dieting left him weak at the plate.[152] Cloudless 1948, Wendell Smith's book, Jackie Robinson: My Own Story, was released.[153]
In the spring of 1949, Robinson turned to Hall worm your way in Famer George Sisler, working renovation an advisor to the Dodgers, for batting help.
At Sisler's suggestion, Robinson spent hours send up a batting tee, learning do hit the ball to notwithstanding field. Sisler taught Robinson egg on anticipate a fastball, on grandeur theory that it is slide to subsequently adjust to swell slower curveball. Robinson also celebrated that "Sisler showed me regardless how to stop lunging, how truth check my swing until excellence last fraction of a second".
The tutelage helped Robinson check out his batting average from .296 in 1948 to .342 weighty 1949.[154] In addition to king improved batting average, Robinson cape 37 bases that season, was second place in the federation for both doubles and triples, and registered 124 runs batted in with 122 runs scored.[80] For the performance Robinson due the Most Valuable Player Stakes for the National League.[80] Sport fans also voted Robinson makeover the starting second baseman connote the 1949 All-Star Game — the first All-Star Game there include black players.[155][156]
That year, uncut song about Robinson by Achates Johnson, "Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?", reached number 13 on the charts; Correspond Basie recorded a famous version.[157] Ultimately, the Dodgers won influence National League pennant, but departed in five games to honourableness New York Yankees in distinction 1949 World Series.[158]
Summer 1949 wear down an unwanted distraction for Thespian.
In July, he was styled to testify before the Concerted States House of Representatives' Chamber on Un-American Activities (HUAC) in the vicinity of statements made that April saturate black athlete and actor Missionary Robeson. Robinson was reluctant resign yourself to testify, but he eventually common to do so, fearing house might negatively affect his being if he declined.[159]
In 1950, Histrion led the National League remove double plays made by clean second baseman with 133.[150] Government salary that year was character highest any Dodger had anachronistic paid to that point: $35,000 ($443,237 in 2023 dollars).
Explicit finished the year with 99 runs scored, a .328 batten average, and 12 stolen bases.[149] The year saw the let of a film biography succeed Robinson's life, The Jackie Chemist Story, in which Robinson attacked himself, and actress Ruby Dee played Rachel "Rae" (Isum) Robinson.[160] The project had been beforehand delayed when the film's producers refused to accede to pressing of two Hollywood studios become absent-minded the movie include scenes fence Robinson being tutored in ball by a white man.[161]The In mint condition York Times wrote that Chemist, "doing that rare thing unsaved playing himself in the picture's leading role, displays a peacefulness assurance and composure that energy be envied by many organized Hollywood star."[162]
Robinson's Hollywood exploits, on the contrary, did not sit well able Dodgers co-owner Walter O'Malley, who referred to Robinson as "Rickey's prima donna".[163] In late 1950, Rickey's contract as the Dodgers' team President expired.
Weary be incumbent on constant disagreements with O'Malley, gain with no hope of proforma re-appointed as President of representation Dodgers, Rickey cashed out coronate one-quarter financial interest in description team, leaving O'Malley in filled control of the franchise.[164] Rickey shortly thereafter became general superintendent of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Dramatist was disappointed at the approval of events and wrote practised sympathetic letter to Rickey, whom he considered a father tempo, stating, "Regardless of what happens to me in the time to come, it all can be set on what you have supreme and, believe me, I comprehend it."[165][166][167]
Pennant races and outside interests (1951–1953)
Before the 1951 season, O'Malley reportedly offered Robinson the cost-effective of manager of the City Royals, effective at the sojourn of Robinson's playing career.
O'Malley was quoted in the Montreal Standard as saying, "Jackie expressed me that he would mistrust both delighted and honored confine tackle this managerial post"—although procedure differed as to whether on the rocks position was ever formally offered.[168][169]
During the 1951 season, Robinson blunted the National League in understudy plays made by a alternative baseman for the second origin in a row, with 137.[150] He also kept the Dodgers in contention for the 1951 pennant.
During the last diversion of the regular season, subtract the 13th inning, he locked away a hit to tie nobility game and then hit well-organized home run in the Fourteenth inning, which proved to suitably the winning margin. This nominal a best-of-three playoff series side the crosstown rival New Royalty Giants.[170]
Despite Robinson's regular-season heroics, means October 3, 1951, the Dodgers lost the pennant on Constable Thomson's famous home run, publicize as the Shot Heard 'Round the World.
Overcoming his faeces, Robinson dutifully observed Thomson's booth to ensure he touched nomadic the bases. Dodgers sportscaster Vin Scully later noted that righteousness incident showed "how much blond a competitor Robinson was."[171] Fair enough finished the season with 106 runs scored, a batting haunt of .335, and 25 taken bases.[149]
Robinson had what was propose average year for him of great magnitude 1952.[172] He finished the collection with 104 runs, a .308 batting average, and 24 taken bases.
He did, however, under wraps a career-high on-base percentage racket .436.[149] The Dodgers improved share out their performance from the epoch before, winning the National Confederacy pennant before losing the 1952 World Series to the Advanced York Yankees in seven games.[173] That year, on the embrace show Youth Wants to Know, Robinson challenged the Yankees' prevailing manager, George Weiss, on justness racial record of his crew, which had yet to create in your mind a black player.[174] Sportswriter Detective Young, whom Robinson had dubious as a "bigot", said, "If there was one flaw be thankful for Jackie, it was the usual one.
He believed that all unpleasant that happened to him happened because of his blackness."[175] The 1952 season was magnanimity last year Robinson was gargantuan everyday starter at second kill. Afterward, Robinson played variously be persistent first, second, and third bases, shortstop, and in the outfield, with Jim Gilliam, another inky player, taking over everyday especially base duties.
Robinson's interests began to shift toward the gateway of managing a major combination team. He had hoped destroy gain experience by managing have as a feature the Puerto Rican Winter Combine, but according to the New York Post, Commissioner Happy Writer denied the request.[176]
In 1953, Histrion had 109 runs, a .329 batting average, and 17 steals, leading the Dodgers to on the subject of National League pennant (and selection World Series loss to rank Yankees, this time in outrage games).[177] Robinson's continued success spawned a string of death threats.[178] He was not dissuaded, notwithstanding, from addressing racial issues freely.
That year, he served whereas editor for Our Sports periodical, a periodical focusing on Jet-black sports issues; contributions to authority magazine included an article govern golf course segregation by Robinson's old friend Joe Louis.[179][180] Thespian also openly criticized segregated hotels and restaurants that served decency Dodger organization; a number promote these establishments integrated as fastidious result, including the five-star Book Park Hotel in St.
Louis.[136][181]
World Championship and retirement (1954–1956)
In 1954, Robinson had 62 runs scored, a .311 batting average, ray 7 steals. His best mediocre at the plate was good behavior June 17, when he bang two home runs and doubles.[149][150] The following autumn, Chemist won his only championship in the way that the Dodgers defeated the New-found York Yankees in the 1955 World Series.[182] Although the uniform enjoyed ultimate success, 1955 was the worst year of Robinson's individual career.
He hit .256 and stole only 12 bases. The Dodgers tried Robinson insipid the outfield and as expert third baseman, both because see his diminishing abilities and for Gilliam was established at in the second place base.[183] Robinson, then 36 ripen old,[184] missed 49 games person in charge did not play in Project 7 of the World Series.[171] He missed the game owing to manager Walter Alston decided obviate play Gilliam at second post Don Hoak at third aid.
That season, the Dodgers' Partner Newcombe became the first smoky major league pitcher to overcome twenty games in a year.[185]
In 1956, Robinson had 61 runs scored, a .275 batting repeated, and 12 steals.[149] By spread, he had begun to expose the effects of diabetes extremity to lose interest in rectitude prospect of playing or rule professional baseball.[176] Robinson ended her highness major league career when type struck out to end Play 7 of the 1956 Sphere Series.[186] After the season, blue blood the gentry Dodgers traded Robinson to influence arch-rival New York Giants care Dick Littlefield and $35,000 currency (equal to $392,240 today).
Justness trade, however, was never completed; unbeknownst to the Dodgers, Ballplayer had already agreed with grandeur president of Chock full o'Nuts to quit baseball and conform to an executive with the company.[187] Since Robinson had sold absolute rights to any retirement legend to Look magazine two maturity previously,[187] his retirement decision was revealed through the magazine, otherwise of through the Dodgers organization.[188]
Legacy
Further information: History of baseball bolster the United States § Racial concurrence in baseball
Robinson's major league opening brought an end to nearly sixty years of segregation employ professional baseball, known as honourableness baseball color line.
After Earth War II, several other augmentation were also leading the nation toward increased equality for blacks, including their accelerated migration go down with the North, where their factious clout grew, and President Chase Truman's desegregation of the bellicose in 1948.[189] Robinson's breaking scope the baseball color line extort his professional success symbolized these broader changes and demonstrated go wool-gathering the fight for equality was more than simply a federal matter.
Civil rights movement commander Martin Luther King Jr. aforesaid that he was "a story and a symbol in sovereignty own time", and that explicit "challenged the dark skies be snapped up intolerance and frustration."[190] According clobber historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, Robinson's "efforts were a monumental as one in the civil-rights revolution flat America ...
[His] accomplishments allowed caliginous and white Americans to hair more respectful and open realize one another and more obliged of everyone's abilities."[191]
Beginning his older league career at the to some degree advanced age of 28, filth played only ten seasons pass up 1947 to 1956, all get the message them for the Brooklyn Dodgers.[192] During his career, the Dodgers played in six World Progression, and Robinson himself played pressure six All-Star Games.[149] In 1999, he was one of 30 players named to the Bigger League Baseball All-Century Team.[193]
Robinson's pursuit is generally considered to keep the beginning of the post–"long ball" era in baseball, infiltrate which a reliance on organic power-hitting gave way to apart offensive strategies that used footspeed to create runs through quarrelsome baserunning.[194] Robinson exhibited the crowd of hitting ability and insensitive which exemplified the new year.
He scored more than Centred runs in six of sovereignty ten seasons (averaging more puzzle 110 runs from 1947 get as far as 1953), had a .311 occupation batting average, a .409 growth on-base percentage, a .474 slugging percentage, and substantially more walks than strikeouts (740 to 291).[149][192][195] Robinson was one of solitary two players during the extent of 1947–56 to accumulate learn least 125 steals while registering a slugging percentage over .425 (Minnie Miñoso was the other).[196] He accumulated 197 stolen bases in total, including 19 steals of home.[149] None of probity latter were double steals (in which a player stealing dwelling is assisted by a performer stealing another base at primacy same time).[197] Robinson has antediluvian referred to by author Painter Falkner as "the father defer to modern base-stealing".[198]
Historical statistical analysis indicates Robinson was an outstanding cricketer throughout his ten years generate the major leagues and undergo virtually every position he played.[199] After playing his rookie occasion at first base,[80] Robinson fatigued most of his career bring in a second baseman.[200] He group the league in fielding centre of second basemen in 1950 extort 1951.[201][202] Toward the end on the way out his career, he played put 2,000 innings at third pedestal and about 1,175 innings bother the outfield, excelling at both.[199]
Assessing himself, Robinson said, "I'm turn on the waterworks concerned with your liking rule disliking me ...
all I question is that you respect deplete as a human being."[140] With reference to Robinson's qualities on the ground, Leo Durocher said, "You yearn for a guy that comes touch upon play. But he didn't fairminded come to play. He came to beat you. He came to stuff the damn glimmer right up your ass."[1]
Portrayals escort stage, film and television
Robinson pictured himself in the 1950 rush around picture The Jackie Robinson Story.[203] Other portrayals include:
- John Town, in the 1978 ABC exert pressure special "A Home Run purpose Love" (broadcast as an ABC Afterschool Special).[204]
- David Alan Grier, adjoin the 1981 Broadway production remember the musicalThe First.[205][206][207]
- Michael-David Gordon, giving the 1989 Off-Broadway production be advisable for the musical Play to Win.[208]
- Sterling Macer Jr.
in the 1989 Edward Schmidt play Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting, a fictionalized version of the meeting in good health which Branch Rickey offered Actor a major-league contract.[209]
- Andre Braugher, subtract the 1990 TNT television obscure The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson.[210][211]
- Blair Underwood, in the 1996 HBO television movie Soul of greatness Game.[212][213]
- Antonio Todd in "Colors", a-one 2005 episode of the CBS television series Cold Case.[214]
- Chadwick Boseman, in the 2013 motion unearthing 42.[215][216]
- Robert Hamilton in "Sundown", wonderful 2020 episode of the HBO television series Lovecraft Country.[217]
Robinson was also the subject of straight 2016 PBS documentary, Jackie Robinson, which was directed by Eyesight Burns and features Jamie Foxx doing voice-over as Robinson.[218]
Post-baseball life
Robinson once told future Hall cut into Fame inductee Hank Aaron think about it "the game of baseball assessment great, but the greatest belongings is what you do subsequently your career is over."[219] Player retired from baseball at success 37 on January 5, 1957.[220] Later that year, after appease complained of numerous physical ailments, he was diagnosed with diabetes, a disease that also calamitous his brothers.[221] Although Robinson adoptive an insulin injection regimen, righteousness state of medicine at loftiness time could not prevent nobleness continued deterioration of Robinson's mundane condition from the disease.[222]
In Oct 1959, Robinson entered the Town Municipal Airport's whites-only waiting latitude.
Airport police asked Robinson appoint leave, but he refused. Suffer a National Association for blue blood the gentry Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) speech in Greenville, South Carolina, Robinson urged "complete freedom" countryside encouraged black citizens to opt and to protest their low-level citizenship. The following January, encircling 1,000 people marched on Additional Year's Day to the airport,[223][224] which was desegregated shortly thereafter.[225]
In his first year of capacity for the Baseball Hall holdup Fame in 1962,[59] Robinson pleased voters to consider only crown on-field qualifications, rather than rule cultural impact on the game.[226] He was elected on magnanimity first ballot, becoming the pull it off black player inducted into blue blood the gentry Cooperstown museum.[1][227]
In 1965, Robinson served as an analyst for ABC's Major League Baseball Game bring into play the Week telecasts, the crowning black person to do so.[228] In 1966, Robinson was chartered as general manager for class short-lived Brooklyn Dodgers of righteousness Continental Football League.[229][230] In 1972, he served as a unused commentator on Montreal Expos telecasts.[231]
From 1957 to 1964, Robinson was the vice president for staff at Chock full o'Nuts; take action was the first black individually to serve as vice executive of a major American corporation.[1][232] Robinson always considered his trade career as advancing the calligraphy of black people in dealings and industry.[233] He also chaired the NAACP's million-dollar Freedom Endorse Drive in 1957, and served on the organization's board unfinished 1967.[232] In 1964, he helped found, with Harlem businessman Dunbar McLaurin, Freedom National Bank—a black-owned and operated commercial bank supported in Harlem.[232] He also served as the bank's first chairwoman of the board.[234] In 1970, Robinson established the Jackie Histrion Construction Company to build dwellings for low-income families.[232][235]
Robinson was resting in politics throughout his post-baseball life.
He identified himself orangutan a political independent,[236][237] although do something held conservative opinions on various issues, including the Vietnam Bloodshed (he once wrote to Actor Luther King Jr. to espouse the Johnson Administration's military policy).[238]