Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers MLB Baseball Biography
When Jackie Robinson first took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, he altered the course of U.S. history. The century's first African American major leaguer, his inspiring performance on and off the baseball diamond ignited an era of pride among people of color that formed the foundation of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
The intelligent and supremely talented second baseman went head to head with the white world, dispelling once and for all, myths of black inferiority. Playing under impossible conditions, Jackie Robinson proved to be a daring competitor. So immense were his abilities that he eventually earned the respect and admiration of even his loudest detractors. In 10 MLB seasons, Jackie Robinson literally changed the face of baseball, as he opened the door to a generation of black superstars who otherwise might have toiled in obscurity. A supreme player, Jackie Robinson became a hero of all races.
Did You Know? Interesting Jackie Robinson Fact:
When Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn dodgers in 1947, several star baseball players signed a letter to GM Branch Rickey stating that they preferred not to play with a Negro. Branch Rickey replied that they were welcome to spend the season on the bench - Jackie was playing. The following year, Branch Rickey traded most of the offending players.
When Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn dodgers in 1947, several star baseball players signed a letter to GM Branch Rickey stating that they preferred not to play with a Negro. Branch Rickey replied that they were welcome to spend the season on the bench - Jackie was playing. The following year, Branch Rickey traded most of the offending players.
The Jackie Robinson Meeting With Branch Rickey
This infamous meeting between Jackie Robinson and Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey was like no other job interview. Jackie Robinson had responded to Rickey's invitation thinking he would be asked to play in the all African American U.S. League that Rickey said he was starting. However, when Robinson arrived he found that the USL was just a scheme to hide Rickey's real intention, which was to break baseball's color barrier.
In rapid succession, Rickey fired questions at Jackie Robinson: What would he do if a waiter refused to serve him with his white teamates? What if he were refused a room at a hotel? What if a pitcher threw at his head? "Mr. Rickey," answered the even tempered star, "they've been throwing at my head for a long time." Puzzled by the continuing barrage of questions, Jackie Robinson finally asked Branch Rickey if he wanted a player who was afraid to fight back. "I want a player with guts enough NOT to fight back," explained Rickey, adding that this experiment would work only if Robinson waged his war with a bat and a glove.
"Now it's the World Series," Rickey continued. "I go into you spikes first, but you don't give ground....all I see is your black face....I haul off and punch you in the cheek. What do you do?"
"Mr. Rickey, I've got two cheeks," said Robinson. Two months later, he was playing with Brooklyn's top farm club. Two years after that, he was a member of the pennant winning Brooklyn Dodgers.
Branch Rickey was right about the hatred Jackie Robinson would face. In his first season with the Brooklyn dodgers he was abused by opposing players, unruly fans and his own teammates. A proud and combative man, Robinson wanted to strike back. But remembering his pact with Rickey, he did so on the diamond, terrorizing opponents while blazing a path for the wave of African Americans that would soon follow.
In rapid succession, Rickey fired questions at Jackie Robinson: What would he do if a waiter refused to serve him with his white teamates? What if he were refused a room at a hotel? What if a pitcher threw at his head? "Mr. Rickey," answered the even tempered star, "they've been throwing at my head for a long time." Puzzled by the continuing barrage of questions, Jackie Robinson finally asked Branch Rickey if he wanted a player who was afraid to fight back. "I want a player with guts enough NOT to fight back," explained Rickey, adding that this experiment would work only if Robinson waged his war with a bat and a glove.
"Now it's the World Series," Rickey continued. "I go into you spikes first, but you don't give ground....all I see is your black face....I haul off and punch you in the cheek. What do you do?"
"Mr. Rickey, I've got two cheeks," said Robinson. Two months later, he was playing with Brooklyn's top farm club. Two years after that, he was a member of the pennant winning Brooklyn Dodgers.
Branch Rickey was right about the hatred Jackie Robinson would face. In his first season with the Brooklyn dodgers he was abused by opposing players, unruly fans and his own teammates. A proud and combative man, Robinson wanted to strike back. But remembering his pact with Rickey, he did so on the diamond, terrorizing opponents while blazing a path for the wave of African Americans that would soon follow.
Did You Know?
When Jackie Robinson first came to the Dodgers, entire teams would shout racial slurs at him when he was warming up before games. One writer described him as the loneliest man in sports. The turning point came before a game with Cincinnati. Shortstop Pee Wee Reese, a respected baseball player and a southerner, walked across the diamond and put his arm around Robinson in a show of support.
When Jackie Robinson first came to the Dodgers, entire teams would shout racial slurs at him when he was warming up before games. One writer described him as the loneliest man in sports. The turning point came before a game with Cincinnati. Shortstop Pee Wee Reese, a respected baseball player and a southerner, walked across the diamond and put his arm around Robinson in a show of support.
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