Jackie Robinson: Braking The Color Barrier in The Major League

Jackie Robinson was an African-American who played for a “Negro League” for a team call the Kansas City Monarchs. Their team colors being white with thin red stripes going vertically down the uniform. But a manager from the MLB’s jaw dropped to the floor when he saw how great of a player Jackie was, and decided to do something that nobody ever thought would happen. “I had never seen a ball player,” stated the Dodgers manager. “quite like Jackie Robinson.” He drafted Jackie Robinson in to the MLB for a team called the Brooklyn Dodgers, but just because something good happens, doesn’t mean that there will a few obstacles along the way.

“Spring training in Florida was rough for Robinson due to segregation laws” (“Jackie” 2). This quote shows the MLB was segregated and Jackie did not care. “ Robinson’s arrival on the major league scene in 1947 prompted slew racially motivated actions” (“Jackie” 2). This quote shows that people were going to hate Jackie and he knew that people would.“ The St. Louis Cardinals threatened to go on strike” (“Jackie” 2). This quote shows teams were not going to play with Jackie in the league because they did not want him to play baseball. “ National League president Ford Frick threatened to ban all strikers from professional baseball” (“Jackie” 2). This quote shows that Ford Frick is willing to stand up for Jackie and people care about Jackie playing baseball. “ Pitchers often threw the ball directly at Jackie, baserunners tried to spike him” (“Jackie” 2). This quote shows that other pitchers and runners hated Jackie and tried to get him out of baseball. “In his first year, Jackie hit 12 home runs and helped the Dodgers win the National League pennant” (“Robinson” 3). This quote shows that Jackie would be a key part for the Dodgers. “That year, Robinson lead the National League in stolen bases and was selected Rookie of the Year” (“Robinson” 3). This shows that Jackie would be a star in the MLB. Next will be breaking the color

Jackie Robinson’s life changed when he became the first black man to play in the World Series and Major League Baseball during a time of segregation in the United States. These life-changing events challenged him because he had to face racially tense crowds and endured threats from teammates, opponents and bigoted fan. According to paragraph three of the text, Robinson states, “Some of my teammates refused to accept me because I was black. I had been forced to live with snubs, rebuffs, and rejections. “ This quote explains that Robinson had faced the rejections from some of his teammates because he looked different from them. Despite the racism he faced, these life-changing events caused Robinson to grow and develop by making him proud of his accomplishments and appreciate the support, courage, and love shown by his supporters. In paragraph four, Robinson states, “Black people supported me with total loyalty. They supported me morally: they came to sit in a hostile audience in unprecedented numbers to make the turnstiles hum as they never had before at ballparks all over the nation. Money is America's God, and business people can dig black power if it coincides with green power, so these fans were important to the success of Mr. Rickey's ‘Noble Experiment’.” This quote stated the idea of the blacks were trying to fight through their excitement and nervousness that they felt since they had not been

To the average person, in the average American community, Jackie Robinson was just what the sports pages said he was, no more, no less. He was the first Negro to play baseball in the major leagues. Everybody knew that, but to see the real Jackie Robinson, you must de-emphasize him as a ball player and emphasize him as a civil rights leader. That part drops out, that which people forget. From his early army days, until well after his baseball days, Robinson had fought to achieve equality among whites and blacks. "Jackie acted out the philosophy of nonviolence of Martin Luther King Jr., before the future civil rights leader had thought of applying it to the problem of segregation in America"(Weidhorn 93). Robinson was an avid

Robinson was outstanding and bold athlete, breaking the barriers of early racism in Major League Baseball, through adroitness and determination. This quote, “I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me.. all I ask is that you respect me as a human being,” was the response given by Robinson, to counter the racial slurs, and threats of the racist watchers and players of MLB. His composed and affirmative reply exhibits his personality perfectly. While he was resentful of the treatment of his race, he chose to display his vexation by not causing another problem, but instead trying to find a peaceful resolution for equality. Jackie’s quote, “There’s not an American in this country free until every one of us is free,” digs deeper into his view on equality between all. He believes that as Americans we are united as one no matter the way you look. When Robinson says this he addresses all Americans, including the racists that threatened him, the teammates that taunted him, the coaches that looked down on him, because he believes we have good in us and that we all deserve the same rights. In Jackie Robinson Breaks the Color Barrier by Bo Smolka she restates Jackie’s quote, “The way I figured it, I was even baseball and baseball with me. The game had done much for me and I had done much for it.” This quote shows that baseball was his key principal to facing racism. He looks at baseball as more than

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor Jackie was drafted into the army and was sent to Fort Riley, Kansas for basic training in a cavalry unit (Robinson 13). During Jackie’s time in the army he was arrested for refusing to move to the back of a segregated bus. Jackie was able to get an honorable discharge from the army and was released from prison shortly after the incident(bio.com). After his service in the army Jackie played in a negro baseball league. Shortly after that he was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers and was set to play for their farm team the Montreal Royals. About a year after this occurrence Jackie’s contract was purchased by the Dodgers and he was set to be the first black man to play in an all white league. This news was announced at a press conference when a Brooklyn Dodger representative stated “Brooklyn announces the purchase of the contract of Jack Roosevelt Robinson from Montreal” this momentous event in Jackie's life happened on Friday, April 11, 1947. Then on April 15 Jackie played his first game for the Dodgers and faced tremendous racism. Jackie ended up winning the rookie of the year title meaning he was the most productive player playing in their first year in the Major League. Throughout his rookie year Jackie faced a lot of racism, but he always had one man on his side, Branch Rickey. Mr. Rickey was always there to help Jackie through the racism and was the man with the idea of

The first African American pro sports player, the former Brooklyn Dodger, Jackie Robinson, is the definition of the American Dream. He is the perfect example on what our country can bring to anyone that works hard enough for it. Jackie Robinson achieved amazing accomplishments during his time. Raised from a plantation in Georgia, Jackie Robinson was athletically gifted and was a stand out in high school and at UCLA where he did track, basketball, football, and baseball. On top of that Jackie Robinson went on to be the first African American in American pro sports and led to eventually all sports being filled with other races.

Jackie Robinson was a vocal civil activist throughout his life, especially during his Major League debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Before Robinson, professional baseball was for white men only. However, the manager for the Brooklyn Dodgers wanted to change this and he saw an opportunity in Jackie Robinson. Robinson was a courageous baseball player and had what it takes to make a major change in society. The number of African American and Latino baseball players steadily grew throughout the years after Jackie’s debut in the Major Leagues; he opened up an opportunity for many men who otherwise may have never had a shot.

Jackie Robinson judged on his race, became one of the most iconic players ever to play the game. At every game Jackie would receive racial taunts. ''The opposing team released a black cat in a sexual taunt. In Baltimore, race riots were expected, but never materialized. A man behind Robinson's wife called him a n***er son of a b**ch" (linge pg 52)’’. Jackie and his family even had problems of the field with racism. ''They were removed from the flight to fit a white couple. They gave up on the airlines

“Despite his talent and success as a player, Robinson faced tremendous racial discrimination throughout his career, from baseball fans and some fellow players(History.com)”. Jackie confidently handled racism from fans throwing trash on the field. He was proud to be in the Major Leagues even as the people were leaving the stadium when he went on the field. He showed that African Americans were strong and

After he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers he faced threats from fans, teammates, and other people making fun of him. In paragraph 3 the text states, “It hadn’t been that easy to fight the resentment expressed by players on other teams, by team owners, and by bigoted fans screaming “n----” (Robinson). This shows that even though he was disliked by other players, team owners, and by fans he continued playing. Even though Jackie faced great difficulties, he continued playing baseball. Despite facing many great obstacles, he never gave up.

Jack  Roosevelt Robinson, also know as Jackie Robinson, made history when he broke the color barrier for professional baseball. His journey was not easy, with all the discrimination and the rocks, food, and baseballs thrown at him.  What  would  you  do  if  you  were  in  Jackie  Robinson’s  position?  Most people would give up and let those prejudice people control their life, but  Jackie  did  not.  

Jackie Roosevelt Robinson was a very important person in The Civil Rights Movement as he was the first African American man to play in Major League Baseball (MLB). Though Jackie was a star in football and baseball as a child he faced a lot of racism, people would cheer for him on the field but off it he was ridiculed and seen as worthless because of his skin color. Even as an adult in the Minor Leagues people threatened, and even threw things at him. Some teams didn’t show at games through shame of playing an African American. Through all of the racism Jackie stayed strong and ended up winning more rights for African Americans along with 137 home runs, 197 stolen bases, a .311 batting average, and a National League

Everyday life for him was having to stay at different hotels, or eat at different restaurants than his teammates. These things put his family at risk, whether it be receiving harsh language, or finding an equitable place to sleep. He knew these segregating laws were not fair, and the risks of safety were high, and still put up with the harsh treatments to prove his point of equality. Despite these things, he knew what he was doing would eventually lead to the full integration of sports. When the manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers gave Robinson the chance to break the unwritten color barrier, he gladly accepted. He would have given anything to show that a black man was just as competent as a white. And he did. In 1981, his wish came true with an estimated 19% of Major League baseball players being African American, a startling change from the previous years.(mlblogs.com) Now, nearly 70 years later, all sports are integrated without a thought to color or race. This accomplishment made a huge difference to the black members of society and to our history in general. Jackie Robinson got his wish, even though he didn't live long enough to see it happen all the way through. Because of him, black players now have an equal opportunity to play and take part in the sports they

In the movie 42, the GM of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Branch Rickey, had a passion for money; he broke the norm and wanted to draft the best African American baseball player to play for his team. Branch Rickey had the idea that drafting one african american, will draw in more revenue, because of the African American fan base. Jackie robinson was “brought up” from an all black league because of his outstanding baseball talent, and most importantly his ability to not get aggravated with all the racism he will receive. The director of 42 claimed this to be based off a true story, but he tweaked some scenes in the movie to focus the attention on the racism Jackie Robinson will face.