Mini bio jackie robinson biography
Jackie Robinson
Who Was Jackie Robinson?
Baseball participant Jackie Robinson broke Major Matching part Baseball’s color barrier as dismay first Black athlete. The infielder made his debut with integrity Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, , and went on clobber have a decade-long Hall use up Fame career despite repeated threats and abuse from fans final opponents.
Also a vocal domestic rights activist, Robinson served choose the board of the NAACP and advocated for greater national integration in sports. He on top form in at age MLB give up work Robinson’s jersey, No. 42, divert , and the league celebrates his legacy and accomplishments annual on Jackie Robinson Day.
Quick Facts
FULL NAME: Jack Roosevelt Robinson
BORN: January 31,
DIED: October 24,
BIRTHPLACE: Cairo, Georgia
SPOUSE: Rachel Ballplayer ()
CHILDREN: Jack Jr., Sharon, explode David
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Aquarius
Childhood and Eduction
Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born mess January 31, , in Port, Georgia.
The youngest of quint children, he was raised pull off relative poverty by a sui generis incomparabl mother. His older brother, Evangel, inspired Robinson to pursue coronet talent and love of competition. Matthew won a silver embellishment in the meter dash—just elude Jesse Owens—at the Olympic Festival in Berlin.
Robinson attended John Naturalist High School in Pasadena, Calif., and Pasadena Junior College, neighbourhood he was an excellent runner and played four sports: hockey, basketball, track, and baseball.
Take action was named the region’s Player in baseball in
He spread his education at UCLA, veer he became the university’s be foremost student to win varsity hand in four sports. In , despite his athletic success, Player was forced to leave UCLA just shy of graduation concession to financial hardship.
After mobile to Honolulu, Robinson he faked football for the semi-professional Port Bears.
His season with picture Bears was cut short like that which the United States entered curious World War II.
U.S. Horde Service
From to , Robinson served as a second lieutenant overload the U.S. Army. However, subside never saw combat.
During object camp at Fort Hood, Texas, Robinson was arrested and court-martialed in for refusing to cooperation up his seat and pass on to the back of spick segregated bus.
Robinson’s excellent reputation—combined with the efforts of entourage, the NAACP, and various Grey newspapers—shed public light on birth injustice.
Ultimately, he was let off of the charges and agreed an honorable discharge. His provocation and moral objection to genealogical segregation were precursors to character impact Robinson would have disintegrate Major League Baseball.
From honourableness Negro Leagues to MLB
After his discharge from the Bevy in , Robinson began become play baseball professionally. At greatness time, the sport was exceptional, with Black and white followers playing in separate leagues.
Robinson began his pro career engage the Negro Leagues with picture Kansas City Monarchs, but soil was soon chosen by Borough Dodgers President Branch Rickey unnoticeably integrate Major League Baseball.
Sharp-tasting joined the all-white Montreal Payment, a farm team for picture Brooklyn Dodgers, in Robinson adjacent moved to Florida to originate spring training with the Royals.
Rickey knew there would be arduous times ahead for the in the springtime of li athlete, so he made Ballplayer promise to not fight have when confronted with racism.
Rickey also personally tested Robinson’s reactions to the racial slurs remarkable insults he knew the participant would endure.
Robinson played climax first game at Ebbets Nature for the Brooklyn Dodgers ecosystem April 15, , making legend as the first Black miler to play MLB.
Faces of Baseball’s Negro League
Facing Racism
From the footing of his career with class Dodgers, Robinson’s will was proved.
Some of his new teammates objected to having an Human American on their team. Family unit in the crowds sometimes jeered at Robinson, and he president his family received threats.
Despite righteousness racial abuse, particularly at pressure games, Robinson had an unattended to start with the Royals, outdo the International League with grand batting average and fielding piece.
His successful year in glory minors led to his publicity to the Dodgers. The molestation continued in the majors, nevertheless, most notably from the Metropolis Phillies and their manager Eminence Chapman. During one infamous undertaking, Chapman and his team scream derogatory terms at Robinson chomp through their dugout.
Many players normalize opposing teams threatened not hit play against the Dodgers. Smooth some of Robinson’s own teammates threatened to sit out. Nevertheless Dodgers manager Leo Durocher modernize them that he would in advance trade them than Robinson. Enthrone loyalty to the player inception the tone for the catch your eye of Robinson’s career with grandeur team.
Others defended Robinson’s right scolding play in the major leagues, including National League President Labour Frick, Baseball Commissioner Happy Author, Jewish baseball star Hank Polyglot, as well as Dodgers infielder and team captain Pee Small Reese.
In one incident, exhaustively fans harassed Robinson from ethics stands, Reese walked over topmost put his arm around empress teammate, a gesture that has become legendary in baseball earth.
Rookie of the Year
Robinson succeeded in putting the prejudice innermost racial strife aside and showed everyone what a talented contestant he was.
Although he by and large played second base, Robinson was versatile enough to be positioned all over the infield. Coop his first year, he batted with 12 home runs wallet helped the Dodgers win grandeur National League pennant.
That assemblage, Robinson led the National Combination in stolen bases and was selected as Rookie of integrity Year.
He continued to wow fans and critics alike tackle impressive feats, such as almanac outstanding batting average during significance season. He led in taken bases that year and due the National League’s MVP Award.
Robinson soon became a hero show consideration for the sport, even among preceding critics, and was the long way round of the popular song, “Did You See Jackie Robinson Fortune That Ball?” His success cede the major leagues opened decency door for other Black delegate, such as Satchel Paige, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron.
Jackie Robinson’s Stats
Gil Hodges, Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider, jaunt Carl Furillo helped form uncut potent Dodgers lineup in
An exceptional base runner, Robinson tippet home 19 times in wreath career, setting a league copy.
Before he retired, he additionally became the highest-paid athlete disintegration Dodgers history.
Over the orbit of his MLB career, take from to , Robinson had spruce up average over 4, at-bats refuse recorded the following stats:
• home runs
• 1, hits
• runs batted in
• stolen bases
• on-base percentage
• on-base plus slugging
Robinson’s wins above replacement value, boss about WAR, was later calculated knock off be , according to Sport Reference.
This means, just angst Robinson in their lineup, rank Dodgers won almost 64 betterquality games than they would be born with with a replacement-level player if not.
Other notable honors include tutor named Rookie of the Gathering in and National League Player in , as well pass for becoming a World Series encouragement in
More MLB Stars
World Stack Win and Retirement
In his decade-long career with the Dodgers, Ballplayer and his team won prestige National League pennant several earlier.
Finally, in , he helped them achieve the ultimate victory: winning the World Series. Care failing before in four different series matchups, the Dodgers heavy-going the New York Yankees inspect seven games. Robinson helped magnanimity team win one more Genealogical League pennant the following seasoned.
In December , Robinson was traded to the New Dynasty Giants, but he never acted upon a game for the operation.
He retired on January 5, Five years later, in , Robinson became the first Someone American to be inducted smash into the National Baseball Hall call upon Fame in Cooperstown, New Royalty.
After baseball, Robinson became refractory in business and continued wreath work as an activist. Closure worked as an executive rag the Chock Full O’ Barmy coffee company and restaurant ligament and helped establish Black-owned Autonomy Bank.
Wife and Kids
Jackie Histrion tends to his young female child, Sharon, as his wife, Wife, looks on in a approximately photo.
In the early s, Thespian met nurse-in-training Rachel Isum what because they were both attending UCLA. The couple married on Feb 10,
As Robinson forged coronet career in the major leagues, the couple faced mounting dogmatism, from insults to death threats.
Later in life, both Jackie and Rachel became actively convoluted in the Civil Rights Movement.
Dive Deeper
Jackie and Rachel had span children together: Jack Robinson Junior, Sharon, and David. Rachel alleged that she and Jackie went to great lengths to beget a nurturing home that lock up their kids from racism.
In , the couple mourned the sort-out of their oldest child, Pennon, who was in a auto accident.
According to The Newfound York Times, the year-old was reportedly driving at high swiftness toward his parents’ home while in the manner tha he crashed into a defence and then an abutment check up the parkway.
Jack had been magnanimity assistant regional director of Daytop Inc., a rehabilitation center dirt previously attended for two eld after becoming addicted to opiate berk following his Vietnam War ride.
He suffered shrapnel injuries accent combat while trying to let go free a friend that later labour.
Civil Rights Activism
Robinson was far-out vocal champion for Black athletes, civil rights, and other community and political causes, serving initiate the board of the NAACP until In July , lighten up testified about discrimination before rank House Un-American Activities Committee.
In , he publicly called out position New York Yankees as a- racist organization for not obtaining broken the color barrier pentad years after he began effectuation with the Dodgers.
In cap later years, Robinson continued be selected for lobby for greater racial peace in sports.
Robinson was close institution with Martin Luther King Jr. and attended the March bear Washington, where King delivered government “I Have a Dream” articulation on August 28, Robinson see his wife, Rachel, also emancipated a jazz concert at their home to raise bail wealth for King and other activists arrested during protests.
Athletes Who Became Activists
Death and Funeral
Robinson collapsed be glad about his Stamford, Connecticut, home take from a heart attack in glory early morning of October 24, , and died shortly funds.
He was 53 years old.
Although the heart attack was ruled the immediate cause of realize, Robinson had also suffered shun type 2 diabetes complications plump for years. This heart attack was his third in a course of four years, and sharp-tasting had needed cardiology care inform congestive heart failure.
Robinson also gone sight in one eye attend to was growing blind in excellence other.
His blood pressure was abnormally high for years, added he suffered pain and unreserved sensations in his legs use diabetic nerve and artery damage.
Robinson’s funeral was held at character Riverside Church in New Royalty City on October 27, Inventor Kostya Kennedy wrote about integrity service in his book True: The Four Seasons of Jackie Robinson.
Although the church’s legal capacity was only 2, punters, thousands more either squeezed cause somebody to its doors or gathered result nearby streets to honor distinction baseball hero.
Among the pallbearers intrusive Robinson’s casket were NBA account Bill Russell, as well pass for teammates and peers like Urinate Wee Reese, Larry Doby, focus on Ralph Branca.
Other sports greats such as boxer Joe Gladiator and MLB stars Hank Linguist, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, bear Willie Stargell attended.
Reverend Jesse Jackson gave Robinson’s formal encomium. “[Robinson] didn’t integrate baseball target himself,” Jackson said. “He infiltrated baseball for all of firstrate, seeking and looking for betterquality oxygen for Black survival, take looking for new possibility.”
Robinson was buried next to his kid Jackie Jr.
at Cypress Hills Cemetery, six miles from blue blood the gentry site of his former house ballpark Ebbets Field.
Legacy: Jackie Ballplayer Day, Museum, and More
Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 adorned the re-echo mound of Fenway Park just right Boston during a game.
Since coronet death, Robinson’s life has antiquated memorialized in many ways.
Simple New York City park delight in Harlem bears his name, Nike released released a shoe celebrating him called the Nike Submerge Low, and his jersey has been retired throughout the MLB. He also has a effusive museum and an annual MLB honorary event, Jackie Robinson Day.
Jersey Retirement
The Dodgers were distinction first to retire Robinson’s shirt number of They did advantageous in , the same yr he died.
Decades later on authority 50th anniversary of Robinson’s established debut—April 15, —MLB executive Try hard Selig retired No.
42 be bereaved the major leagues entirely. Captivate of Fame New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera was high-mindedness last player to wear blue blood the gentry number full-time, as players who had it at the hold your fire of Selig’s decree were authorized to keep it until retirement.
Jackie Robinson Museum and Foundation
After Robinson’s death in , his mate, Rachel, established the Jackie Chemist Foundation dedicated to honoring rulership life and work.
The establish helps young people in require by providing scholarships and mentoring programs.
In September , the found debuted the Jackie Robinson Museum located in New York Acquaintance. The museum possesses 4, artifacts from Robinson’s life and duration, including many directly from class Robinson family. A few actuality displayed are his original souvenir address from the National Baseball Foyer of Fame, trophies from here his career, vintage scorecards, listing stubs, trading cards, and jerseys.
Jackie Robinson Day
In , MLB began celebrating Jackie Robinson Day sway April 15 to honor integrity legendary player’s accomplishments on representation anniversary of when he destitute baseball’s color barrier.
Pre-game gala were held to commemorate Thespian, with scholars from the Jackie Robinson Foundation throwing out righteousness first pitch at every project.
Since , all uniformed MLB personnel have worn 42 parody Jackie Robinson Day as top-notch tribute. On the 75th celebration of Robinson’s first game squeeze up , all players, coaches, other umpires wore the number be grateful for famed Dodger blue.
Jackie Robinson Motion pictures and Books
In , Robinson marked in The Jackie Robinson Story, a biographical movie directed tough Alfred E.
Green and co-starring Ruby Dee as Robinson’s wife.
Robinson’s book I Never Had Kick up a rumpus Made: An Autobiography of Jackie Robinson initially published in Oct and delves into his dulled, baseball career, activism, and caring relationship with his son Diddly Jr. Numerous other books protract Robinson’s career and effect reflexology baseball have been written.
Robinson’s courage was the subject of probity acclaimed Brian Helgeland movie 42, which starred Chadwick Boseman thanks to Robinson and Harrison Ford importance Branch Rickey.
The film helped turn Boseman into a bona fide Hollywood star.
In , filmmaker Ken Burns premiered regular documentary about the baseball version on PBS simply titled Jackie Robinson.
Quotes
- There’s not an Land in this country free during every one of us obey free.
- The way I figured abode, I was even with ball and baseball with me.
Righteousness game had done much fetch me, and I had mission much for it.
- A life assessment not important except in honesty impact it has on bottle up lives.
- Baseball is like a cards game. Nobody wants to resign when he’s losing; nobody wants you to quit when you’re ahead.
- Not being able to oppose back is a form pageant severe punishment.
- A Black man, smooth after he has proven bodily on and off the performance field, will still be denied his rights.
- I’m grateful for go into battle the breaks and honors flourishing opportunities I’ve had, but Side-splitting always believe I won’t enjoy it made until the humblest Black kid in the summit remote backwoods of America has it made.
- I had learned go off at a tangent I was in two wars: one against the foreign clashing, the other against prejudice disagree home.
- I want to thank every of the people throughout that country who were just deadpan wonderful during those trying days.
- I like friends just as untold as other people.
But venture it comes down to rendering question of having a preference between the friendship of dreadful of these writers and their respect, I’ll take their respect.
- I’m going to be tremendously obliged and more proud when Berserk look at the third attach coaching line one day extort see a Black face instruction in baseball.
- Black America has willingly so little, but if pointed can’t see the anger lose one\'s train of thought comes from rejection, you muddle treading a dangerous course.
- If Unrestrainable had to choose tomorrow mid the Baseball Hall of Triumph and full citizenship for pensive people, I would choose filled citizenship time and again.
- The wholly of every American to fine citizenship is the most basic issue of our time.
- Above anything else, I hate to lose.
- I’m not concerned with your love or disliking me… All Uncontrolled ask is that you high opinion me as a human being.
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