Ken Griffey Research Paper

Born in Manhattan on June 19 1903, Lou Gehrig had a very difficult childhood. His father failed to keep a job because of his obsession to alcohol. So, the only reason why Gehrig was such a huge success was because of the encouragement of his mother Christina. Both of his sisters were killed due to measles and many other diseases that were spreading during that time. He also had a younger brother die in infancy. Gehrig did not have some privileges that other kids had. He had to help his mom around the house because it was practically just him and his mother.

Jackie Robinson rookie season was one of his best years. He gave hope to players and people everywhere. Kids looked up to him because he changed the history of baseball. He was National League Rookie of the year. Jackie had 12 homers and had 29 steals. He had a .297 average. Jackie won MVP of the year and also won batting title with a .342 average the same year he won MVP. Jackie had become introduced into the Baseball Hall of fame in 1962.

would be someone the name of Babe Ruth. Say someone had to choose a player from the

The game of baseball evolved immensely during the 1900’s. There were new rules and rule changes, new teams in new states, and then there was Jackie Robinson. Jackie Robinson was a true legend from the day he was born in 1919. Baseball had it all in the first half of the 1900’s, fans filled the stadiums day after day, even during the war times. There was a big-name player on almost every team, children and adults admired these professional baseball players. The only thing professional baseball didn’t have during these times were African American players. Learning about the hardships that he had to overcome as a young boy, and the accomplishments he made from his college days at UCLA, to becoming the first African American professional baseball player, Jackie made it known that he was an American hero.

George was born as the eldest son of this father’s second marriage on February 22, 1732. And during his childhood, George moved with his family to another plantation on a place called Epsewasson, not very far from the Potomac.

Bob Gibson is a retired baseball pitcher, he broke his ankle on July 1967, he had 268 strikeouts, 13 shoutouts, 15 consecutive wins, and 92 innings. Bob Gibson was known as “The Year of the Pitcher” in 1968. Before he retired he got 3,117 strikeouts, he won 251 games and lost 174 games.

    Jackie Robinson was born on January 31, 1919 in Caigo, Georgia. Growing up he was a very different and bright character, anyone could tell you that one. People always said he would have a smile on his face and when he wanted to do something he was determined until he did it. He had had gone to John Muir High School where he was an excellent athlete and his grades were also very good.

Out of two children, Lou was the only one to survive. On June 19, 1903 the Hall of Famer Lou Ludwig Gehrig was born in Yorkville, New York, NY. At an early age his parents Heinrich Gehrig and Christina Fack noticed that he showed great athletic ability. His father was born in 1867 and died in June, 1946 at age 79. On the other hand, his mother was born during 1881 in Germany and died in 1954. To support the family, she worked as a maid. Sadly his sister, Anna Gehrig, died 4 months after birth. After completing Middle School and High School he looked for better things in college.

Griffey replied, “I am so sorry for your disappointment. And believe me when I tell you that I’m not going to shrug off your question and tell you to persevere. Instead I will tell you something else-- I’m going to tell you that you need to give up your dream of playing baseball. I only say this because i can see that baseball is no longer bringing you pleasure or satisfaction. Our time here on Earth is too short and deserves to be enjoyed to the fullest. I am now giving you permission to go find something else to do with your life that brings you joy. Go find something new that you love to do and that brings you peace and serenity. Spend time with family and friends, find new hobbies, go on vacation, forgive your enemies, but stop playing baseball because it seems to be slowly killing you from the inside out.”

Jackie Robinson started to play for the Black Panthers Minor League Baseball team, where he was scouted by Branch Rickey, the President of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Jackie Robinson earned countless rewards during his career and was one of the highest ranked baseball players in the league over all. His all-time batting average of .410 is ranked 25th on the all-time list for the MLB. He is one of 15 players to ever win rookie of the year and the MVP award. Jackie stole home a total of 19 times in his career. Then finally in 1962 he made it into the hall of fame.

Even though there was a lot of racism, Jackie never let it overcome him. When the U.S. joined the World War II, Jackie put on another uniform. At war Jackie met another childhood idol in the black wrestler Joe Louis. After Jackie resigned from the army he decided to play baseball for the negro league. Jackie played for the Kansas City Monarchs. He got to play with some of the greats, Satchel Paige, Cool Papa Bell, and Josh Gibson. After his first year with the team Jackie led the team in hitting. One sportswriter was able to convince Jackie and 2 other black players to try out for the Boston Red Sox. Of course the Red Sox said no. Though the Red Sox owner said no, the Brooklyn Dodgers president Branch Rickey had interest in Jackie. In 1945 Jackie Robinson became the first black baseball player when he signed with the Dodgers. He first though had to make it through the Minor League. He played for the Montreal Royals. He started second base for the team. He was able to lead the team to the Junior League World Series. He was also the MVP. In 1947, Jackie made it to the Major Leagues. In his first year Jackie was the Rookie of the Year. He helped lead the Dodgers to beat the Cardinals in the NL pennant. In 1949, Jackie Robinson won the MVP. He helped the Dodgers win the World Series in 1955. His career only lasted 10 years. On January 5, 1957 Jackie Robinson retired. In 1962, he was

Jonathan Griffin had his ups and downs playing baseball, however, he persevered and fought against all odds. The training helped out tremendously knowing he was not in the right track. Griffin eventually got back on his two feet and received an SOU Mid Season All Star for his rigorous work and

A lot of the pressure was lifted off of Robinson’s shoulders after a number of other black players were signed into the major leagues in 1948. In 1950, Jackie led the National League in double plays made by a second basemen with 133. He finished that year with 99 runs scored and a batting average of .328. Robinson retired from baseball on January 5, 1957 at the age 37. After complaining of numerous physical ailments, his doctors diagnosed him with diabetes.

Robinson later moved to Florida to practice his spring training with the Royals. This is where he became the first black player to ever play in a major league baseball game. Even though Rickey knew times would get hard for Jackie, he made Jackie promise to never fight back when the racism started to hit him. Robinson’s reactions to the racism were also tested by Rickey at the beginning of his career. Some of Robinson’s team mates didn’t agree with him being on their team. Jackie and his parents were threatened by people in the crowds.