Jackie Robinson's Role In Major League Baseball

Jackie Robinson was one of the most historically well known people in the civil rights movement. So as the first man to integrate major league baseball, Jackie Robinson had a game changing impact on the way the game was played. Having the courage to fight for what is right, Jackie broke the imaginary color barrier that has covered major league baseball for years. Through his resiliency and tenaciousness in the face of seemingly unconquerable odds, Jackie Robinson set the course for African Americans to continue the expansion for equality and true freedom while he was becoming one of the greatest Major League baseball players in history.

Jackie Robinson is known for breaking the color barrier in his first major league baseball game on April 15, 1947. Many people were shocked at an African American player in a baseball game so many gathered inside the stadium as the game went on. After his amazing baseball career came to an end Jackie gave political speeches on views of Martin

The legacy of Jackie Robinson goes beyond the April 15, 1947 afternoon at Ebbets Field, when the Brooklyn Dodger infielder became the first black in the 20th century to play baseball in the major leagues. He changed the sport, and he changed the attitude of a lot of people in this country, Jackie Robinson fought for all the people that were fortunate, a lot of them are, especially the minority guys, to be able to play in the major leagues and the impact on the people of color today.

Jackie Robinson brought baseball fans of all races together and it improved race relations because even though their was still hatred, white people were getting eased into racial integration since Jackie Robinson was laying the foundations of civil rights. Robinson was loved by many and hated by plenty, every game he played he packed the stands whether it be fans who are cheering for him or booing him. According to the biography by Wilson “Many fans came out to cheer Robinson, and a lot came out to boo him but both groups bought tickets” (75). He performed so well on the baseball field that the fans would lose sight of his color, and the stands were predominantly white so he was doing so well with a very unsupportive fan base. In the biography

Jackie Robinson's entry into the Major Leagues was far from a walk in the park. He climbed over countless obstacles just to play with white men, some of which, he was better then. He not only had to compete with the returning players from the war, but he also contended with racism. "Many towns in the South did not want racially mixed teams"(Weidhorn 53). As time went on, cities realized that Robinson offered them free publicity.

It was 1955, first game of the World Series. The Brooklyn Dodgers were down four to six, losing to the New York Yankees. During the 8th inning, with two outs, Jackie Robinson does something that not many can say they have done. He steals home to bring the Dodgers with-in one. Though they did not win this game, the Dodgers went on to win the World Series. This is an exciting moment in history, however, it is only one of Jackie Robinson's many accomplishments. Others include, rising above his raising, serving in the United States Army, being the first minority in a major league sport, and overcoming racial harassment. Because of these impressive achievements throughout his lifetime he has become of the most influential people in America's history.

Jackie Robinson changed the game of baseball. His impact on the game will forever be remembered. Robinson’s path to the Major League Baseball (MLB) was astounding, becoming the first African American to play in the MLB. Robinson’s legendary career is one of the best amongst all African American baseball players. “He has a special day dedicated towards him, on April 15th each season; every team in the MLB celebrates ‘Jackie Robinson Day” (Baseball HOF).

“I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me... All I ask is that you respect me as a human being”. Jackie Robinson was an African American that was treated unfairly during the time of his professional baseball career. He was put through segregation because he was the only black player in the MLB at the time, and he was also treated poorly by his teammates, coaches, fans and even other players from different teams. Jackie Robinson was an important and influential figure in history that had a positive impact on the world and the entire baseball association because he was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the modern era and used baseball as a way to contribute to the Civil Rights movement.

Robinson had an incredible year in the minor league and was promoted to the MLB in no time. Branch Rickey and other GM’s saw how talented Jackie was and figured other black players would be very beneficial to their teams as well. Jackie Gave African Americans hope from playing and they saw how easily he dealt with this hate that came his

Jackie was a phenomenal athlete for young kids to look up to. After the start of World War II he served in the military from 1942 to 1944. After the war he returned to his love for baseball, playing in the Black major leagues. He was chosen by Branch Rickey, vice president of the Brooklyn dodgers, to help integrate the Major Leagues. Rickey hated segregation just as much as Robinson and wanted to change things “Rickey had once seen a Black college player turned away from a hotel… Rickey never forgot seeing this player crying because he was denied a place to lay his weary head just because of the color of his skin” (Mackenzie). He was finally able to do something about segregation and help change baseball and the United States for the better. It wasn’t that all the teams were racist and didn’t want a black player but when the major league teams had an away game they would rent out the stadium to the black teams for them to play at. And the executives of teams didn’t want to loose the money that they were making off of the black teams. “League owners would lose significant rental revenue” (“Breaking”). He soon signed with the all-white Montreal Royals a farm team for the Dodgers. Robinson had an outstanding start with the Royals, “leading the International League with a .349 batting average and .985 fielding percentage” (Robinson). After Robinson’s outstanding year he was promoted to the Dodgers he played his first game on

Jack Roosevelt “Jackie” Robinson was born on January 31,1919 in Cairo, Georgia. Jackie was the youngest of five children born to Mallie and Jerry Robinson who were sharecroppers. Jackie was a very athletic individual. Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier and became the first African-American player in the 20th century. Through his contribution, he allowed many others to come join the big league which forever contributed the game. Robinson’s impact made to baseball will always be remembered. Robinson was a very educated and athletic individual who went to high school and college.

Jackie Robinson is known mostly for his achievements in athletics. In the video “Jackie Robinson - Changing Major League Baseball” from Bio.com, it is stated that “Robinson was the first African American to play in the majors in the twentieth century.” (0:20, 0:24). Not only had he started something new, Robinson had ended a sixty year old stigma. In an excerpt from “How Jackie Robinson Changed Baseball” by Jessica McBirney, it is stated that “In later seasons, more African-Americans joined other teams in the Major Leagues”, showing the impact that opening the gates had on the world of baseball (7). Robinsons’ breaking down of the color barrier in baseball has shown the impact that chasing dreams can have and has led to many people going after what they want.

“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives,” said Jackie Robinson, first African American MLB player. Jackie was one strong minded individual throughout his whole life. He was the participant in breaking the color line as Branch Ricky singed him to the Brooklyn Dodgers. Not only did he change the MLB, but he changed other sports also. Jackie Robinson took a stand by being the first African American MLB player, and opened up many opportunities for African Americans everywhere.

Jackie Robinson once said, "A life is not important, except in the impact it has on other lives," and impacting lives was exactly what he did. Jackie Roosevelt Robinson was born Jan. 31, 1919. He became the first black person to play Major League Baseball and endured appalling acts of discrimination. He led the Brooklyn Dodgers to win the 1955 World Series, 6 NL Pennants, and received many other awards such as NL MVP and Rookie of the Year. Besides playing baseball, Jackie Robinson became a Civil Rights advocate, working with many other leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. while in the process of becoming one of the most well known, respected athletes in the world, thanks to his courage and perseverance.

The Brooklyn Dodgers signed Robinson in 1947. This lead to breaking the racial barrier in baseball and helped open the opportunity for other African Americans to play baseball. He had to face a lot of adversity by people saying very racist sayings like “Negroes don't play baseball” and people calling him a “Nigger,” by fans and managers. Robinson was very humble on and off the field and more white people started to respect him and the African American people. Robinson is the only person to have his number retired throughout the whole league because of his significance to Major League Baseball. Many people have said, “Jackie is