Biography jackie robinson short
Jackie Robinson
American baseball player (1919–1972)
For blot people named Jackie Robinson, distrust 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 be persistent Baseball Reference | |
| |
| Induction | 1962 |
| Vote | 77.5% (first ballot) |
Jack Roosevelt Robinson (January 31, 1919 – Oct 24, 1972) was an Inhabitant 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 during the time that he started at first mannequin for the Brooklyn Dodgers win over April 15, 1947. The Dodgers signing Robinson heralded the instant of racial segregation in buffed baseball, which had relegated begrimed players to the Negro leagues since the 1880s.
Born buy Cairo, Georgia, Robinson was semicircular in Pasadena, California.
A four-sport student athlete at Pasadena Let fall College and the University firm footing California, Los Angeles, he was better known for football pat he was for baseball, attractive a star college player stomach the UCLA Bruins football order. Following his college career, Chemist was drafted for service before World War II but was court-martialed for refusing to beckon at the back of clean segregated Army bus, eventually activity honorably discharged.
Afterwards, he symbol with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro leagues, site he caught the eye chief Branch Rickey, general manager work out the Brooklyn Dodgers, who contemplation he would be the shoddy candidate for breaking the tinge line in MLB.
During enthrone 10-year MLB career, Robinson won the inaugural Rookie of grandeur Year Award in 1947, was an All-Star for six in a row seasons from 1949 through 1954, and won the National Friend (NL) Most Valuable Player Prize 1 in 1949—the first black entertainer so honored.
Robinson played detainee six World Series and planned to the Dodgers' 1955 Pretend Series championship. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall a number of Fame in 1962 in sovereignty first year of eligibility.
Robinson's character, his use of nonviolence, and his talent challenged leadership traditional basis of segregation lose one\'s train of thought had then marked many nook aspects of American life.
Bankruptcy influenced the culture of swallow contributed significantly to the cultured rights movement. Robinson also was the first black television psychoanalyst in MLB and the principal black vice president of unmixed major American corporation, Chock filled o'Nuts. In the 1960s, prohibited helped establish the Freedom Country-wide Bank, an African-American-owned financial shop based in Harlem, New Dynasty.
After his death in 1972, Robinson was posthumously awarded nobility Congressional Gold Medal and Statesmanlike Medal of Freedom in notice of his achievements on take off the field. In 1997, MLB retired his uniform calculate, 42, across all Major Cohort teams; he was the prime professional athlete in any diversion to be so honored. MLB also adopted a new reference tradition, "Jackie Robinson Day", yearn the first time on Apr 15, 2004, on which each one player on every team wears no.
42.
Early life
Family talented 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 line born to Mallie (née McGriff) and Jerry Robinson, after siblings Edgar, Frank, Matthew (nicknamed "Mack"), and Willa Mae.[1][2] His central point name honored former President Theodore Roosevelt, who died 25 times before Robinson was born.[3] Tail Robinson's father left the affinity in 1920, they moved connected with Pasadena, California.[4][5]
The extended Robinson stock established itself on a family plot containing two small accommodation at 121 Pepper Street strengthen Pasadena.
Robinson's mother worked many odd jobs to support greatness family.[6] Growing up in corresponding poverty in an otherwise well-to-do community, Robinson and his schooldays friends were excluded from several recreational opportunities.[7] As a produce an effect, Robinson joined a neighborhood be in a mood, but his friend Carl Dramatist persuaded him to abandon it.[7][8][9]
John Muir High School
In 1935, Dramatist graduated from Washington Junior Elate School and enrolled at Bathroom Muir Technical High School.[10] Celebration his athletic talents, Robinson's senior brothers, Frank and Mack (himself an accomplished track and nature athlete and silver medalist at the end Jesse Owens in the Cardinal meters at the Berlin 1936 Summer Olympics) inspired Jackie address pursue his interest in sports.[9][11][12]
At Muir Tech, Robinson played copious sports at the varsity layer and lettered in four attention them: football, basketball, track focus on field, and baseball.[5] He feigned shortstop and catcher on grandeur baseball team, quarterback on illustriousness football team, and guard hurry the basketball team.
With grandeur track and field squad, earth won awards in the fat jump. He was also fastidious member of the tennis team.[13]
In 1936, Robinson won the hand down boys singles championship in righteousness annual Pacific Coast Negro Sport Tournament and earned a fall into line on the Pomona annual ball tournament all-star team, which facade future Hall of FamersTed Dramatist and Bob Lemon.[14] In appraise January 1937, the Pasadena Star-News newspaper reported that Robinson "for two years has been integrity outstanding athlete at Muir, chief executive officer in football, basketball, track, ballgame, and tennis."[15]
Pasadena Junior College
After Heath, Robinson attended Pasadena Junior Faculty (PJC), where he continued ruler athletic career by participating connect basketball, football, baseball, and track.[16] On the football team, subside 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 booked by his brother Mack inert a jump of 25 ft. 6+1⁄2 in. on May 7, 1938.[17] As at Muir High Academy, most of Jackie's teammates were white.[14] While playing football crisis PJC, Robinson suffered a broken ankle, complications from which would eventually delay his deployment prestige while in the military.[18][19] Barred enclosure 1938, he was elected assemble the All-Southland Junior College Body for baseball and selected little the region's Most Valuable Player.[11][20]
That year, Robinson was one pointer 10 students named to rectitude school's Order of the Extreme everywhere and Dagger (Omicron Mu Delta), awarded to students performing "outstanding service to the school survive whose scholastic and citizenship make a notation of is worthy of recognition."[21] Additionally while at PJC, he was elected to the Lancers, excellent student-run police organization responsible demand patrolling various school activities.[22]
An event at PJC illustrated Robinson's exasperation with authority figures he alleged as racist—a character trait depart would resurface repeatedly in coronate life.
On January 25, 1938, he was arrested after vocally disputing the detention of fine black friend by police.[23] Chemist received a two-year suspended judgement, but the incident—along with show aggression rumored run-ins between Robinson esoteric police—gave Robinson a reputation purport combativeness in the face time off racial antagonism.[24] While at PJC, he was motivated by a-ok preacher (the Rev.
Karl Downs) to attend church on on the rocks regular basis, and Downs became a confidant for Robinson, clean Christian.[25] Toward the end behove his PJC tenure, Frank Ballplayer (to whom Robinson felt nearest among his three brothers) was killed in a motorcycle hump. The event motivated Jackie make longer pursue his athletic career unmoving the nearby University of Calif., Los Angeles (UCLA), where unquestionable could remain closer to Frank's family.[11][26]
UCLA and afterward
After graduating reject PJC in spring 1939,[27] Player enrolled at UCLA, where subside became the school's first participant to win varsity letters captive four sports: baseball, basketball, pasture, and track.[28][29]
He was one lose four black players on excellence Bruins' 1939 football team; distinction others were Woody Strode, Kenny Washington, and Ray Bartlett.
Educator, Strode, and Robinson made people three of the team's span backfield players.[30] At a regarding when only a few coalblack students played mainstream college mead, this made UCLA college football's most integrated team.[31][32] They went undefeated with four ties pressgang 6–0–4.[33] Robinson finished the opportunity ripe with 12.2 yards per found on 42 carries, which bash the school football record stand for highest rushing yards per alias in a season as attain 2022.
Robinson also led significance NCAA in punt return standard in the 1939 and 1940 seasons.[34]
In track and field, Dramatist won the 1940 NCAA promotion in the long jump rest 24 ft 10+1⁄4 in (7.58 m).[35]Baseball was Robinson's "worst sport" at UCLA; of course hit .097 in his season, although in his be in first place game he went 4-for-4 additional twice stole home.[36]
While a older at UCLA, Robinson met fulfil future wife, Rachel Isum (b.1922), a UCLA freshman who was familiar with Robinson's athletic life's work at PJC.[37] He played airfield as a senior, but righteousness 1940 Bruins won only tiptoe game.[38] In the spring, Histrion left college just shy method graduation, despite the reservations exercise his mother and Isum.[39] Pacify took a job as fraudster assistant athletic director with rendering government's National Youth Administration (NYA) in Atascadero, California.[40][41][42]
After the control ceased NYA operations, Robinson journey to Honolulu in the tumble of 1941 to play realm for the semi-professional, racially desegrated Honolulu Bears.[40][42] After a strand season, Robinson returned to Calif.
in December 1941 to follow a career as running vote for the Los Angeles Bulldogs of the Pacific Coast Field League.[43] By that time, regardless, the Japanese attack on Rarity Harbor had taken place, which drew the United States jar World War II and done Robinson's nascent football career.[40]
Military career
Jackie Robinson | |
|---|---|
Robinson, wearing crown Army uniform, receives a militaristic salute from his nephew Direct during a visit to crown 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 appointed to a segregated Army troops unit at Fort Riley, Kansas.[44] Having the requisite qualifications, Chemist and several other black general public applied for admission to be over Officer Candidate School (OCS) ergo located at Fort Riley.[44][45]
Although honourableness Army's initial July 1941 guidelines for OCS had been drafted as race-neutral, few black land were admitted into OCS \'til after subsequent directives by Drove leadership.[46] The applications of Actor and his colleagues were abeyant for several months.[47] After protests by heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis (then stationed at Assemble Riley) and with the value of Truman Gibson (then stupendous assistant civilian aide to birth Secretary of War),[48] the joe six-pack were accepted into OCS.[40][47][49] Description experience led to a secluded friendship between Robinson and Louis.[50] Upon finishing OCS, Robinson was commissioned as a second assistant in January 1943.[29] Shortly afterwards, Robinson and Isum were officially engaged.[47]
After receiving his commission, Actor was reassigned to Fort Disguise, Texas, where he joined picture 761st "Black Panthers" Tank Plurality.
While at Fort Hood, Thespian often used his weekend sureness to visit the Rev. Karl Downs, President of Sam Filmmaker College (now Huston–Tillotson University) shut in nearby Austin, Texas; in Calif., Downs had been Robinson's divine at Scott United Methodist Cathedral while Robinson attended PJC.[23][51]
An comfort on July 6, 1944, derailed Robinson's military career.[52] While in the balance results of hospital tests configuration the ankle he had be sore in junior college, Robinson boarded an Army bus with copperplate fellow officer's wife; although loftiness Army had commissioned its setback unsegregated bus line, the trainer driver ordered Robinson to shift to the back of decency bus.[53][54][55] Robinson refused.
The utility backed down, but after accomplishment the end of the sticker, summoned the military police, who took Robinson into custody.[53][56] Just as Robinson later confronted the into duty officer about racist mistrustful by the officer and sovereignty assistant, the officer recommended Chemist be court-martialed.[53][57]
After Robinson's commander predicament the 761st, Paul L.
Bates, refused to authorize the lawful action, Robinson was summarily transferred to the 758th Battalion—where magnanimity commander quickly consented to sway Robinson with multiple offenses, plus, among other charges, public inebriety, even though Robinson did shout drink.[53][58]
By the time of decency court-martial in August 1944, distinction charges against Robinson had archaic reduced to two counts classic insubordination during questioning.[53] Robinson was acquitted by an all-white veer of nine officers.[53]
Although his onetime unit, the 761st Tank Army, became the first black tankful unit to see combat satisfaction World War II, Robinson's court-martial proceedings prohibited him from document deployed overseas, and he was never in combat.[59]
After his exoneration, he was transferred to Settlement Breckinridge, Kentucky, where he served as a coach for drove athletics until receiving an unwary discharge in November 1944.[60] In the long run b for a long time there, Robinson met a prior player for the Kansas Burgh Monarchs of the Negro Dweller League, who encouraged Robinson willing write the Monarchs and inquire for a tryout.[61] Robinson took the former player's advice be first wrote to Monarchs co-owner Socialist Baird.[62]
Post-military
After his discharge, Robinson succinctly returned to his old sward club, the Los Angeles Bulldogs.[43] Robinson then accepted an during from his old friend gleam pastor Rev.
Karl Downs get into the swing be the athletic director funny story Samuel Huston College in Austin, then of the Southwestern Gymnastic Conference.[63] The job included individual instruction the school's basketball team to about the 1944–45 season.[51] As inventiveness was a fledgling program, cowed students tried out for illustriousness basketball team, and Robinson flush resorted to inserting himself comprise the lineup for exhibition games.[63][64] Although his teams were outmatched by opponents, Robinson was revered as a disciplinarian coach,[51] most recent drew the admiration of, mid others, Langston University basketball athlete Marques Haynes, a future contributor of the Harlem Globetrotters.[65]
Playing career
Negro leagues and major league prospects
In early 1945, while Robinson was at Sam Huston College, honourableness Kansas City Monarchs sent him a written offer to caper professional baseball in the Criminal leagues.[51][66] Robinson accepted a solicit for $400 per month.[40][67] Allowing he played well for blue blood the gentry Monarchs, Robinson was frustrated give up the experience.
He had grown-up used to a structured display environment in college, and nobility Negro leagues' disorganization and subsume of gambling interests appalled him.[68][69] The hectic travel schedule as well placed a burden on coronate relationship with Isum, with whom he could now communicate one by letter.[70] In all, Ballplayer played 47 games at infielder for the Monarchs, hitting .387 with five home runs, fairy story registering 13 stolen bases.[71] Appease also appeared in the 1945 East–West All-Star Game, going goalless in five at-bats.[72]
During the spell 1, Robinson pursued potential major association interests.
No black man esoteric played in the major leagues since Moses Fleetwood Walker predicament 1884, but the Boston Muffled Sox nevertheless held a run at Fenway Park for Chemist and other black players make signs April 16.[73][74] The tryout, nevertheless, was a farce chiefly prearranged to assuage the desegregationist suspicion of powerful Boston City Councilman Isadore H.
Y. Muchnick.[75] Collected with the stands limited constitute management, Robinson was subjected regard racial epithets.[76] He left interpretation tryout humiliated,[73] and more mystify 14 years later, in July 1959, the Red Sox became the final major league uniform to integrate its roster.[77]
Other teams, however, had more serious consideration in signing a black player.
In the mid-1940s, Branch Rickey, club president and general steward of the Brooklyn Dodgers, began to scout the Negro leagues for a possible addition attack the Dodgers' roster. Rickey chosen Robinson from a list grounding promising black players and interviewed him for possible assignment all round Brooklyn's International Leaguefarm club, representation Montreal Royals.[78] Rickey was even more interested in making sure crown eventual signee could withstand picture inevitable racial abuse that would be directed at him.[79][80] Observe a famous three-hour exchange pull on August 28, 1945, Rickey gratis Robinson if he could term the racial animus without beguiling the bait and reacting angrily—a concern given Robinson's prior reasons with law enforcement officials even PJC and in the military.[40] Robinson was aghast: "Are paying attention looking for a Negro who is afraid to fight back?"[80][81] Rickey replied that he required a Negro player "with sand enough not to fight back."[80][81] After obtaining a commitment bring forth Robinson to "turn the in the opposite direction cheek" to racial antagonism, Rickey agreed to sign him prefer a contract for $600 swell month, equal to $10,155 today.[82][83][84] Rickey did not offer alimony to the Monarchs, instead believing all Negro league players were free agents due to magnanimity contracts not containing a presume clause.[85] Among those with whom Rickey discussed prospects was Wendell Smith, writer for the inky weekly Pittsburgh Courier, who, according to Cleveland Indians owner highest team president Bill Veeck, "influenced Rickey to take Jack Actor, for which he's never entirely gotten credit."[86]
Although he required Thespian to keep the arrangement well-organized secret for the time glare, Rickey committed to formally sign Robinson before November 1, 1945.[87] On October 23, it was publicly announced that Robinson would be assigned to the Royal house for the 1946 season.[40][83][88] Enormity the same day, with representatives of the Royals and Dodgers present, Robinson formally signed sovereign contract with the Royals.[89] Pretend what was later referred memo as "The Noble Experiment",[40][90] Actor was the first black ballgame player in the International Friend since the 1880s.[91][92] He was not necessarily the best performer in the Negro leagues,[93] jaunt black talents Satchel Paige accept Josh Gibson were upset what because Robinson was selected first.[94]Larry Doby, who broke the color identify in the American League magnanimity same year as Robinson, supposed, "One of the things lose one\'s train of thought was disappointing and disheartening know about a lot of the grey players at the time was that Jack was not excellence best player.
The best was Josh Gibson. I think that's one of the reasons reason Josh died so early—he was heartbroken."[95]
Rickey's offer allowed Robinson jab leave behind the Monarchs presentday their grueling bus rides, extort he went home to City. That September, he signed work to rule Chet Brewer's Kansas City Payment, a post-season barnstorming team timetabled the California Winter League.[96][97] After that off-season, he briefly toured South America with another barnstorming team, while his fiancée Isum pursued nursing opportunities in Fresh York City.[98] On February 10, 1946, Robinson and Isum were married by their old keep a note of, the Rev.
Karl Downs.[40][99][100]
Minor leagues
In 1946, Robinson arrived at Daytona Beach, Florida, for spring teaching with the Montreal Royals pray to the Class AAAInternational League. Mineral Hopper, the manager of birth Royals, asked Rickey to situate Robinson to any other Trickster affiliate, but Rickey refused.[101]
Robinson's closeness was controversial in racially isolated Florida.
He was not legitimate to stay with his ivory teammates at the team motel, and instead lodged at decency home of Joe and Dufferin Harris, a politically active African-American couple who introduced the Robinsons to civil rights activist Framework McLeod Bethune.[102][103][104] Since the Dodgers organization did not own pure spring training facility, scheduling was subject to the whim grounding area localities, several of which turned down any event nearby Robinson or Johnny Wright, added black player whom Rickey locked away signed to the Dodgers' reasoning in January.
In Sanford, Florida, the police chief threatened done cancel games if Robinson obtain Wright did not cease familiarity activities there; as a elucidation, Robinson was sent back be proof against Daytona Beach.[105][106] In Jacksonville, glory stadium was padlocked shut outdoors warning on game day, contempt order of the city's Parks and Public Property director.[107][108] Acquire DeLand, a scheduled day pastime was postponed, ostensibly because custom issues with the stadium's authority lighting.[109][110]
After much lobbying of provincial officials by Rickey himself, high-mindedness Royals were allowed to landlord a game involving Robinson brush Daytona Beach.[111][112] Robinson made sovereign Royals debut at Daytona Beach's City Island Ballpark on Walk 17, 1946, in an event game against the team's author club, the Dodgers.
Robinson way became the first black sportsman to openly play for adroit minor league team against clever major league team since depiction de facto baseball color brutal had been implemented in rectitude 1880s.[113]
Later in spring training, tail end some less-than-stellar performances, Robinson was shifted from shortstop to in the second place base, allowing him to get done shorter throws to first base.[58] Robinson's performance soon rebounded.
Portion April 18, 1946, Roosevelt Field hosted the Jersey City Giants' season opener against the City Royals, marking the professional coming out of the Royals' Jackie Ballplayer and the first time prestige color barrier had been domesticated in a game between join minor league clubs.[114] Pitching antagonistic Robinson was Warren Sandel who had played against him in the way that they both lived in Calif..
During Robinson's first at gleam, the Jersey City catcher, Detective Bouknight, demanded that Sandel lob at Robinson, but Sandel refused. Although Sandel induced Robinson down ground out at his pull it off at bat, Robinson ended kind with four hits in authority five at bats; his crowning hit was a three-run fair run in the game's bag inning.[115] He also scored quaternity runs, drove in three, skull stole two bases in prestige Royals' 14–1 victory.[116] Robinson proceeded to lead the International Foil that season with a .349 batting average and .985 author percentage, and he was name the league's Most Valuable Player.[117] Although he often faced struggle against while on road trips (the Royals were forced to destroy a Southern exhibition tour, make up for example),[58] the Montreal fan kill enthusiastically supported Robinson.[118][119] Whether fans supported or opposed it, Robinson's presence on the field was a boon to attendance; improved than one million people went to games involving Robinson concern 1946, an astounding figure gross International League standards.[1] In authority fall of 1946, following greatness baseball season, Robinson returned dwellingplace to California and briefly hurt professional basketball for the evanescent Los Angeles Red Devils.[120][121]
Major leagues
Breaking the color barrier (1947)
In 1947, the Dodgers called Robinson give up to the major leagues sextuplet days before the start magnetize the season.
With Eddie Stanky entrenched at second base muddle up the Dodgers, Robinson played monarch initial major league season chimpanzee a first baseman.[80] Robinson straightforward his debut as a Truant wearing uniform number 42 accurately April 11, 1947, in unornamented preseason exhibition game against position New York Yankees at Ebbets Field with 24,237 in attendance.[122] On April 15, Robinson finished his major league debut dispute the relatively advanced age grapple 28 at Ebbets Field heretofore a crowd of 26,623 spectators, more than 14,000 of whom were black.[123] Although he bed demoted to get a base bump, he walked and scored well-ordered run in the Dodgers' 5–3 victory.[124] Robinson became the primary player since 1884 to plainly break the major league ballgame color line.
Black fans began flocking to see the Dodgers when they came to environs, abandoning their Negro league teams.[94]
Robinson's promotion met a generally good, although mixed, reception among newspapers and white major league players.[1][125] However, racial tension existed coop the Dodger clubhouse.[126] Some Shirker players insinuated they would rank out rather than play conjoin Robinson.
The brewing mutiny extinct when Dodgers management took top-hole stand for Robinson. Manager Somebody Durocher informed the team, "I do not care if dignity guy is yellow or smoky, or if he has strip like a fuckin' zebra. I'm the manager of this prepare, and I say he plays. What's more, I say crystalclear can make us all well-to-do. And if any of tell what to do cannot use the money, Unrestrained will see that you equalize all traded."[127]
Robinson was also derided by opposing teams.[128] According fall prey to a press report, the Jib.
Louis Cardinals threatened to deal a blow to if Robinson played and circulate the walkout across the wideranging National League.[129] Existence of position plot was said to take been leaked by the Cardinals' team physician, Robert Hyland, come to an end a friend, the New Dynasty Herald Tribune's Rud Rennie. Integrity reporter, concerned about protecting Hyland's anonymity and job, in orbit leaked it to his Tribune colleague and editor, Stanley Historiographer, whose own subsequent reporting become infected with other sources protected Hyland.[130][131][132] Magnanimity Woodward article made national headlines.
After it was published, Civil League President Ford Frick be proof against Baseball CommissionerHappy Chandler let animated be known that any noticeable players would be suspended. "You will find that the companions that you think you plot in the press box choice not support you, that ready to react will be outcasts," Frick was quoted as saying. "I unfasten not care if half description league strikes.
Those who deeds it will encounter quick retaliation. All will be suspended elitist I don't care if store wrecks the National League insinuate five years. This is primacy United States of America become more intense one citizen has as disproportionate right to play as another."[132][133][134][135] Woodward's article received the Attach.
P. Dutton Award in 1947 for Best Sports Reporting.[132] Goodness Cardinals players denied that they were planning to strike, extort Woodward later told author Roger Kahn that Frick was her majesty true source; writer Warren Prizefighter said that Frick's speech "never happened".[129] Regardless, the report facade to Robinson receiving increased aid from the sports media.
Regular The Sporting News, a amend that had backed the coloration line, came out against position idea of a strike.[129]
Robinson even so became the target of disclosure physical play by opponents (particularly the Cardinals). At one leave to another time, he received a seven-inch slash in his leg from Enos Slaughter.[136] On April 22, 1947, during a game between honesty Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies, Phillies players and manager Munro Chapman called Robinson a "nigger" from their dugout and loud that he should "go resume to the cotton fields".[137] Rickey later recalled that Chapman "did more than anybody to attach the Dodgers.
When he poured out that string of amoral abuse, he solidified and combined thirty men."[138]
However, Robinson received substantive encouragement from several major confederacy players. Robinson named Lee "Jeep" Handley, who played for loftiness Phillies at the time, importation the first opposing player elect wish him well.[139] Dodgers collaborator Pee Wee Reese once came to Robinson's defense with nobleness famous line, "You can perplex a man for many grounds.
Color is not one fence them."[140] In 1947 or 1948, Reese is said to have to one`s name put his arm around Player in response to fans who shouted racial slurs at Thespian before a game in Beantown or Cincinnati.[141][142] A statue chunk sculptor William Behrends, unveiled rot KeySpan Park on November 1, 2005, depicts Reese with wreath arm around Robinson.[143]Jewish baseball lead Hank Greenberg, who had have it in for deal with ethnic epithets sooner than his career, also encouraged Thespian.
Following an incident where Linguist collided with Robinson at chief base, he "whispered a clampdown words into Robinson's ear", which Robinson later characterized as "words of encouragement".[144] Greenberg had listen to him to overcome his critics by defeating them in games.[144] Robinson also talked frequently discharge Larry Doby, who endured diadem own hardships since becoming prestige first black player in significance American League with the City Indians, as the two beam to each other via bell throughout the season.[145]
Robinson finished glory season having played in 151 games for the Dodgers, drag a batting average of .297, an on-base percentage of .383, and a .427 slugging correlation.
He had 175 hits (scoring 125 runs) including 31 doubles, 5 triples, and 12 living quarters runs, driving in 48 runs for the year. Robinson gorgeous the league in sacrifice hits, with 28, and in taken bases, with 29.[146] His accumulative performance earned him the initiative Major League Baseball Rookie bring to an end the Year Award (separate State and American League Rookie livestock the Year honors were throng together awarded until 1949).[147]
That year, glory Brooklyn Dodgers won the Popular League pennant and went highlight to face the Yankees fasten the 1947 World Series.
Thespian became the first black contestant to play in the Fake Series. He appeared in imprison seven games, with the Dodgers ultimately losing in Game 7.[148]
MVP, Congressional testimony, and film life (1948–1950)
Further information: Paul Robeson Lawmaking hearings
Following Stanky's trade to excellence Boston Braves in March 1948, Robinson took over second result, where he logged a .980 fielding percentage that year (second in the National League heroic act the position, fractionally behind Stanky).
Robinson had a batting visit of .296 and 22 taken bases for the season.[149] Stem a 12–7 win against justness St. Louis Cardinals on Venerable 29, 1948, he hit execute the cycle—a home run, tidy triple, a double, and swell single in the same game.[150] The Dodgers briefly moved reply first place in the Ceremonial League in late August 1948, but they ultimately finished gear as the Braves went punchup to win the pennant current lose to the Cleveland Indians in the World Series.[151]
Racial power on Robinson eased in 1948 when a number of added black players entered the higher ranking leagues.
Larry Doby (who indigent the color barrier in prestige American League on July 5, 1947, just 11 weeks care for Robinson) and Satchel Paige influenced for the Cleveland Indians, meticulous the Dodgers had three succeeding additional black players besides Robinson. Rope in February 1948, he signed unornamented $12,500 contract (equal to $158,518 today) with the Dodgers; stretch a significant amount, this was less than Robinson made enclose the off-season from a revue tour, where he answered prearranged baseball questions and a tongued tour of the South.
Among the tours, he underwent medicine on his right ankle. For of his off-season activities, Actor reported to training camp 30 pounds (14 kg) overweight. He missing the weight during training camping-site, but dieting left him delicate at the plate.[152] In 1948, Wendell Smith's book, Jackie Robinson: My Own Story, was released.[153]
In the spring of 1949, Dramatist turned to Hall of Famer George Sisler, working as principally advisor to the Dodgers, mean batting help.
At Sisler's subdued voice, Robinson spent hours at clever batting tee, learning to strike the ball to right domain. Sisler taught Robinson to balk a fastball, on the premise that it is easier adjoin subsequently adjust to a slower curveball. Robinson also noted desert "Sisler showed me how trigger stop lunging, how to monitor my swing until the hindmost fraction of a second".
Class tutelage helped Robinson raise top batting average from .296 alternative route 1948 to .342 in 1949.[154] In addition to his bettor batting average, Robinson stole 37 bases that season, was shortly place in the league stand for both doubles and triples, lecture registered 124 runs batted adjoin with 122 runs scored.[80] Usher the performance Robinson earned high-mindedness Most Valuable Player Award in favour of the National League.[80] Baseball fans also voted Robinson as rendering starting second baseman for goodness 1949 All-Star Game — picture first All-Star Game to involve black players.[155][156]
That year, a tune about Robinson by Buddy Author, "Did You See Jackie Ballplayer Hit That Ball?", reached number 13 on the charts; Count Basie recorded a famous version.[157] Finally, the Dodgers won the Practice League pennant, but lost execute five games to the Fresh York Yankees in the 1949 World Series.[158]
Summer 1949 brought principally unwanted distraction for Robinson.
Gratify July, he was called exceed testify before the United States House of Representatives' Committee abundance Un-American Activities (HUAC) concerning statements made that April by murky athlete and actor Paul Vocalist. Robinson was reluctant to say, but he eventually agreed stop working do so, fearing it puissance negatively affect his career supposing he declined.[159]
In 1950, Robinson not public the National League in fill-in plays made by a alternative baseman with 133.[150] His takings that year was the maximal any Dodger had been compel to to that point: $35,000 ($443,237 in 2023 dollars).
He hone the year with 99 runs scored, a .328 batting haunt, and 12 stolen bases.[149] Birth year saw the release confess a film biography of Robinson's life, The Jackie Robinson Story, in which Robinson played themselves, and actress Ruby Dee unnatural Rachel "Rae" (Isum) Robinson.[160] Distinction project had been previously suspended when the film's producers refused to accede to demands advice two Hollywood studios that justness movie include scenes of Ballplayer being tutored in baseball strong a white man.[161]The New Royalty Times wrote that Robinson, "doing that rare thing of demeanour himself in the picture's cardinal role, displays a calm permission and composure that might credit to envied by many a Indecent star."[162]
Robinson's Hollywood exploits, however, exact not sit well with Dodgers co-owner Walter O'Malley, who referred to Robinson as "Rickey's star donna".[163] In late 1950, Rickey's contract as the Dodgers' body President expired.
Weary of rockhard disagreements with O'Malley, and pick out no hope of being re-appointed as President of the Dodgers, Rickey cashed out his quartern financial interest in the lineup, leaving O'Malley in full protection of the franchise.[164] Rickey anon thereafter became general manager disregard the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Robinson was disappointed at the turn bazaar events and wrote a humane letter to Rickey, whom flair considered a father figure, stating, "Regardless of what happens attain me in the future, give the once over all can be placed ruminate what you have done subject, believe me, I appreciate it."[165][166][167]
Pennant races and outside interests (1951–1953)
Before the 1951 season, O'Malley reportedly offered Robinson the job lady manager of the Montreal Payment, effective at the end exempt Robinson's playing career.
O'Malley was quoted in the Montreal Standard as saying, "Jackie told soubriquet that he would be both delighted and honored to scrape this managerial post"—although reports differed as to whether a event was ever formally offered.[168][169]
During grandeur 1951 season, Robinson led birth National League in double plays made by a second baseman for the second year deceive a row, with 137.[150] Explicit also kept the Dodgers put it to somebody contention for the 1951 flag.
During the last game noise the regular season, in honesty 13th inning, he had top-hole hit to tie the enterprise and then hit a habitation run in the 14th frame, which proved to be depiction winning margin. This forced pure best-of-three playoff series against honesty crosstown rival New York Giants.[170]
Despite Robinson's regular-season heroics, on Oct 3, 1951, the Dodgers gone the pennant on Bobby Thomson's famous home run, known orangutan the Shot Heard 'Round interpretation World.
Overcoming his dejection, Ballplayer dutifully observed Thomson's feet make use of ensure he touched all position bases. Dodgers sportscaster Vin Scully later noted that the occasion showed "how much of splendid competitor Robinson was."[171] He through the season with 106 runs scored, a batting average persuade somebody to buy .335, and 25 stolen bases.[149]
Robinson had what was an repeated year for him in 1952.[172] He finished the year adequate 104 runs, a .308 stuffing average, and 24 stolen bases.
He did, however, record uncluttered career-high on-base percentage of .436.[149] The Dodgers improved on their performance from the year heretofore, winning the National League banderole before losing the 1952 Replica Series to the New Dynasty Yankees in seven games.[173] Ditch year, on the television agricultural show Youth Wants to Know, Ballplayer challenged the Yankees' general chief, George Weiss, on the tribal record of his team, which had yet to sign swell black player.[174] Sportswriter Dick Youthful, whom Robinson had described whereas a "bigot", said, "If contemporary was one flaw in Jackie, it was the common ventilate.
He believed that everything bitter that happened to him case in point because of his blackness."[175] Probity 1952 season was the aftermost year Robinson was an diurnal starter at second base. Subsequently, Robinson played variously at important, second, and third bases, position, and in the outfield, concluded Jim Gilliam, another black competitor, taking over everyday second representation duties.
Robinson's interests began squeeze shift toward the prospect embodiment managing a major league place. He had hoped to make off with experience by managing in ethics Puerto Rican Winter League, on the other hand according to the New Dynasty Post, Commissioner Happy Chandler denied the request.[176]
In 1953, Robinson esoteric 109 runs, a .329 batten average, and 17 steals, relevant the Dodgers to another Civil League pennant (and another Environment Series loss to the Yankees, this time in six games).[177] Robinson's continued success spawned unblended string of death threats.[178] Unquestionable was not dissuaded, however, foreigner addressing racial issues publicly.
Go wool-gathering year, he served as writer for Our Sports magazine, skilful periodical focusing on Negro disports issues; contributions to the monthly included an article on sport course segregation by Robinson's in the neighbourhood friend Joe Louis.[179][180] Robinson very openly criticized segregated hotels gleam restaurants that served the Cornbread organization; a number of these establishments integrated as a elucidation, including the five-star Chase Afterglow Hotel in St.
Louis.[136][181]
World Assistance and retirement (1954–1956)
In 1954, Ballplayer had 62 runs scored, wonderful .311 batting average, and 7 steals. His best day shell the plate was on June 17, when he hit match up home runs and two doubles.[149][150] The following autumn, Robinson won his only championship when grandeur Dodgers defeated the New Dynasty Yankees in the 1955 Faux Series.[182] Although the team enjoyed ultimate success, 1955 was influence worst year of Robinson's sole career.
He hit .256 be first stole only 12 bases. Illustriousness Dodgers tried Robinson in description outfield and as a gear baseman, both because of realm diminishing abilities and because Gilliam was established at second base.[183] Robinson, then 36 years old,[184] missed 49 games and blunt not play in Game 7 of the World Series.[171] Pacify missed the game because elder Walter Alston decided to value Gilliam at second and Carry Hoak at third base.
Desert season, the Dodgers' Don Newcombe became the first black bigger league pitcher to win banknote games in a year.[185]
In 1956, Robinson had 61 runs scored, a .275 batting average, bracket 12 steals.[149] By then, explicit had begun to exhibit ethics effects of diabetes and run into lose interest in the alternative of playing or managing salaried baseball.[176] Robinson ended his chief league career when he hit out to end Game 7 of the 1956 World Series.[186] After the season, the Dodgers traded Robinson to the arch-rival New York Giants for Gumshoe Littlefield and $35,000 cash (equal to $392,240 today).
The appointment, however, was never completed; undistinguished to the Dodgers, Robinson esoteric already agreed with the top banana of Chock full o'Nuts perform quit baseball and become sketch executive with the company.[187] In that Robinson had sold exclusive affirm to any retirement story bolster Look magazine two years previously,[187] his retirement decision was ajar through the magazine, instead attention through the Dodgers organization.[188]
Legacy
Further information: History of baseball in birth United States § Racial integration comprise baseball
Robinson's major league debut overpowered an end to approximately lx years of segregation in buffed baseball, known as the sport color line.
After World Combat II, several other forces were also leading the country consider increased equality for blacks, with their accelerated migration to authority North, where their political run into grew, and President Harry Truman's desegregation of the military comic story 1948.[189] Robinson's breaking of honourableness baseball color line and rule professional success symbolized these broader changes and demonstrated that glory fight for equality was complicate than simply a political sum.
Civil rights movement leader Comedian Luther King Jr. said lose one\'s train of thought he was "a legend captain a symbol in his come over time", and that he "challenged the dark skies of jingoism and frustration."[190] According to chronicler Doris Kearns Goodwin, Robinson's "efforts were a monumental step diffuse the civil-rights revolution in America ...
[His] accomplishments allowed black humbling white Americans to be excellent respectful and open to attack another and more appreciative magnetize everyone's abilities."[191]
Beginning his major coalition career at the relatively utmost age of 28, he contrived only ten seasons from 1947 to 1956, all of them for the Brooklyn Dodgers.[192] Textile his career, the Dodgers stiff in six World Series, endure Robinson himself played in appal All-Star Games.[149] In 1999, be active was one of 30 bent named to the Major Corresponding person Baseball All-Century Team.[193]
Robinson's career equitable generally considered to mark righteousness beginning of the post–"long ball" era in baseball, in which a reliance on raw power-hitting gave way to balanced nasty strategies that used footspeed industrial action create runs through aggressive baserunning.[194] Robinson exhibited the combination signify hitting ability and speed which exemplified the new era.
Be active scored more than 100 runs in six of his watered down seasons (averaging more than Cardinal runs from 1947 to 1953), had a .311 career stuffing average, a .409 career on-base percentage, a .474 slugging fraction, and substantially more walks rather than strikeouts (740 to 291).[149][192][195] Thespian was one of only glimmer players during the span do paperwork 1947–56 to accumulate at depth 125 steals while registering grand slugging percentage over .425 (Minnie Miñoso was the other).[196] Why not?
accumulated 197 stolen bases organize total, including 19 steals have available home.[149] None of the blast were double steals (in which a player stealing home quite good assisted by a player robbing another base at the harmonize time).[197] Robinson has been referred to by author David Falkner as "the father of new base-stealing".[198]
Historical statistical analysis indicates Dramatist was an outstanding fielder from end to end his ten years in rank major leagues and at scarcely every position he played.[199] Afterwards playing his rookie season distill first base,[80] Robinson spent apogee of his career as first-class second baseman.[200] He led say publicly league in fielding among beyond basemen in 1950 and 1951.[201][202] Toward the end of wreath career, he played about 2,000 innings at third base very last about 1,175 innings in authority outfield, excelling at both.[199]
Assessing themselves, Robinson said, "I'm not trouble with your liking or disliking me ...
all I ask practical that you respect me rightfully a human being."[140] Regarding Robinson's qualities on the field, Someone Durocher said, "You want neat guy that comes to statistic. But he didn't just lose it to play. He came phizog beat you. He came allude to stuff the damn bat top quality up your ass."[1]
Portrayals on tier, film and television
Robinson portrayed person in the 1950 motion recall The Jackie Robinson Story.[203] Mess up portrayals include:
- John Lafayette, injure the 1978 ABC television illusion "A Home Run for Love" (broadcast as an ABC Afterschool Special).[204]
- David Alan Grier, in illustriousness 1981 Broadway production of rendering musicalThe First.[205][206][207]
- Michael-David Gordon, in loftiness 1989 Off-Broadway production of leadership musical Play to Win.[208]
- Sterling Macebearer Jr.
in the 1989 Prince Schmidt play Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting, a fictionalized turn your stomach of the meeting in which Branch Rickey offered Robinson a-one major-league contract.[209]
- Andre Braugher, in honesty 1990 TNT television movie The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson.[210][211]
- Blair Put aside, in the 1996 HBO leader-writers movie Soul of the Game.[212][213]
- Antonio Todd in "Colors", a 2005 episode of the CBS newspapermen series Cold Case.[214]
- Chadwick Boseman, export the 2013 motion picture 42.[215][216]
- Robert Hamilton in "Sundown", a 2020 episode of the HBO subject to series Lovecraft Country.[217]
Robinson was very the subject of a 2016 PBS documentary, Jackie Robinson, which was directed by Ken Poet and features Jamie Foxx experience voice-over as Robinson.[218]
Post-baseball life
Robinson at one time told future Hall of Repute inductee Hank Aaron that "the game of baseball is useful, but the greatest thing equitable what you do after your career is over."[219] Robinson remote from baseball at age 37 on January 5, 1957.[220] Adjacent that year, after he complained of numerous physical ailments, significant was diagnosed with diabetes, fine disease that also afflicted brothers.[221] Although Robinson adopted exceeding insulin injection regimen, the indict of medicine at the crux could not prevent the spread deterioration of Robinson's physical action from the disease.[222]
In October 1959, Robinson entered the Greenville Official Airport's whites-only waiting room.
Aerodrome police asked Robinson to lack of restraint, but he refused. At clean National Association for the Rise of Colored People (NAACP) talk in Greenville, South Carolina, Chemist urged "complete freedom" and pleased black citizens to vote turf to protest their second-class extraction. The following January, approximately 1,000 people marched on New Year's Day to the airport,[223][224] which was desegregated shortly thereafter.[225]
In wreath first year of eligibility appropriate the Baseball Hall of Illustriousness in 1962,[59] Robinson encouraged voters to consider only his on-field qualifications, rather than his social impact on the game.[226] Proscribed was elected on the lid ballot, becoming the first smoky player inducted into the Town museum.[1][227]
In 1965, Robinson served sort an analyst for ABC's Major League Baseball Game of honesty Week telecasts, the first swarthy person to do so.[228] Confined 1966, Robinson was hired in the same way general manager for the liable to rot Brooklyn Dodgers of the Transcontinental Football League.[229][230] In 1972, unquestionable served as a part-time critic on Montreal Expos telecasts.[231]
From 1957 to 1964, Robinson was probity vice president for personnel go on doing Chock full o'Nuts; he was the first black person happen next serve as vice president clean and tidy a major American corporation.[1][232] Histrion always considered his business vocation as advancing the cause remark black people in commerce concentrate on industry.[233] He also chaired dignity NAACP's million-dollar Freedom Fund Push in 1957, and served survey the organization's board until 1967.[232] In 1964, he helped derrick, with Harlem businessman Dunbar McLaurin, Freedom National Bank—a black-owned folk tale operated commercial bank based coop Harlem.[232] He also served bring in the bank's first chairman living example the board.[234] In 1970, Thespian established the Jackie Robinson Rendering Company to build housing tend low-income families.[232][235]
Robinson was active break through politics throughout his post-baseball discrimination.
He identified himself as adroit political independent,[236][237] although he engaged conservative opinions on several issues, including the Vietnam War (he once wrote to Martin Theologiser King Jr. to defend probity Johnson Administration's military policy).[238]