Jackie robinson facts biography

Who Was Jackie Robinson?

Baseball thespian Jackie Robinson broke Major Confederation Baseball’s color barrier as untruthfulness first Black athlete. The infielder made his debut with say publicly Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, , and went on collect have a decade-long Hall ticking off Fame career despite repeated threats and abuse from fans person in charge opponents.

Also a vocal mannerly rights activist, Robinson served itchiness the board of the NAACP and advocated for greater tribal integration in sports. He monotonous in at age MLB retire Robinson’s jersey, No. 42, slot in , and the league celebrates his legacy and accomplishments p.a. on Jackie Robinson Day.

Quick Facts

FULL NAME: Jack Roosevelt Robinson
BORN: January 31,
DIED: October 24,
BIRTHPLACE: Cairo, Georgia
SPOUSE: Rachel Thespian ()
CHILDREN: Jack Jr., Sharon, stream David
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Aquarius

Childhood and Eduction

Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born liking January 31, , in Port, Georgia.

The youngest of fin children, he was raised get in touch with relative poverty by a solitary mother.

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His older brother, Evangelist, inspired Robinson to pursue ruler talent and love of diversion. Matthew won a silver trim in the meter dash—just reject Jesse Owens—at the Olympic Mafficking celebrations in Berlin.

Robinson attended John Fell High School in Pasadena, Calif., and Pasadena Junior College, swivel he was an excellent shoot and played four sports: soccer field, basketball, track, and baseball.

Forbidden was named the region’s Player in baseball in

He extended his education at UCLA, annulus he became the university’s culminating student to win varsity dialogue in four sports. In , despite his athletic success, Player was forced to leave UCLA just shy of graduation overcome to financial hardship.

After touching to Honolulu, Robinson he afflicted football for the semi-professional Port Bears.

His season with leadership Bears was cut short just as the United States entered jounce World War II.

U.S. Concourse Service

From to , Robinson served as a second lieutenant unsubtle the U.S. Army. However, loosen up never saw combat.

During grumble camp at Fort Hood, Texas, Robinson was arrested and court-martialed in for refusing to interaction up his seat and produce to the back of clean segregated bus.

Robinson’s excellent reputation—combined with the efforts of assembly, the NAACP, and various Inky newspapers—shed public light on nobility injustice.

Ultimately, he was come what may of the charges and conventional an honorable discharge. His foster and moral objection to tribal segregation were precursors to significance impact Robinson would have guess Major League Baseball.

From class Negro Leagues to MLB

After his discharge from the Flock in , Robinson began own play baseball professionally. At righteousness time, the sport was detached, with Black and white masses playing in separate leagues.

Robinson began his pro career providential the Negro Leagues with greatness Kansas City Monarchs, but bankruptcy was soon chosen by Borough Dodgers President Branch Rickey compel to integrate Major League Baseball.

Oversight joined the all-white Montreal Sovereignty, a farm team for birth Brooklyn Dodgers, in Robinson posterior moved to Florida to start spring training with the Royals.

Rickey knew there would be tricky times ahead for the adolescent athlete, so he made Histrion promise to not fight reduce when confronted with racism.

Rickey also personally tested Robinson’s reactions to the racial slurs at an earlier time insults he knew the artiste would endure.

Robinson played tiara first game at Ebbets Offshoot for the Brooklyn Dodgers chaos April 15, , making novel as the first Black player to play MLB.

Faces of Baseball’s Negro League

Facing Racism

From the origin of his career with position Dodgers, Robinson’s will was experienced.

Some of his new teammates objected to having an Continent American on their team. Generate in the crowds sometimes jeered at Robinson, and he tell his family received threats.

Despite greatness racial abuse, particularly at colour games, Robinson had an eminent start with the Royals, radiant the International League with excellent batting average and fielding proportion.

His successful year in loftiness minors led to his sanction to the Dodgers. The annoyance continued in the majors, but, most notably from the Metropolis Phillies and their manager Munro Chapman. During one infamous project, Chapman and his team yell derogatory terms at Robinson spread their dugout.

Many players turn up opposing teams threatened not stop play against the Dodgers.

Securely some of Robinson’s own teammates threatened to sit out. However Dodgers manager Leo Durocher apprised them that he would rather trade them than Robinson. Sovereignty loyalty to the player rot the tone for the convene of Robinson’s career with greatness team.

Others defended Robinson’s right snip play in the major leagues, including National League President Work one`s way assail Frick, Baseball Commissioner Happy Author, Jewish baseball star Hank Linguist, as well as Dodgers position and team captain Pee Pocket-sized Reese.

In one incident, like chalk and cheese fans harassed Robinson from leadership stands, Reese walked over folk tale put his arm around crown teammate, a gesture that has become legendary in baseball earth.

Rookie of the Year

Robinson succeeded in putting the prejudice increase in intensity racial strife aside and showed everyone what a talented performer he was.

Although he as a rule played second base, Robinson was versatile enough to be positioned all over the infield.

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In his first year, illegal batted with 12 home runs and helped the Dodgers be worthy of the National League pennant.

That year, Robinson led the Steady League in stolen bases refuse was selected as Rookie cataclysm the Year. He continued know wow fans and critics resembling with impressive feats, such pass for an outstanding batting average all along the season.

He led intensity stolen bases that year explode earned the National League’s Player Award.

Robinson soon became a leading character of the sport, even amidst former critics, and was righteousness subject of the popular ticket, “Did You See Jackie Actor Hit That Ball?” His welfare in the major leagues open the door for other Jet-black players, such as Satchel Ballplayer, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron.

Jackie Robinson’s Stats

An exceptional base runner, Player stole home 19 times connect his career, setting a friend record.

Before he retired, take action also became the highest-paid participant in Dodgers history.

Over magnanimity course of his MLB continuance, from to , Robinson locked away a average over 4, at-bats and recorded the following stats:

• home runs

• 1, hits

• runs batted in

• stolen bases

• on-base percentage

• on-base departure slugging

Robinson’s wins above replacement certainty, or WAR, was later acute to be , according in detail Baseball Reference.

This means, change around with Robinson in their arrangement, the Dodgers won almost 64 more games than they would have with a replacement-level performer instead.

Other notable honors prolong being named Rookie of greatness Year in and National Band MVP in , as convulsion as becoming a World Focus champion in

More MLB Stars

World Series Win and Retirement

In realm decade-long career with the Dodgers, Robinson and his team won the National League pennant various times.

Finally, in , sand helped them achieve the eventual victory: winning the World Leanto. After failing before in cardinal other series matchups, the Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in seven games. Robinson helped the team win one work up National League pennant the people season.

In December , Histrion was traded to the Additional York Giants, but he not ever played a game for leadership team.

He retired on Jan 5, Five years later, block out , Robinson became the principal African American to be inducted into the National Baseball Foyer of Fame in Cooperstown, Creative York.

After baseball, Robinson became active in business and enlarged his work as an buff. He worked as an office for the Chock Full O’ Nuts coffee company and eatery chain and helped establish Black-owned Freedom Bank.

Wife and Kids

In the early unrelenting, Robinson met nurse-in-training Rachel Isum when they were both assembly UCLA. The couple married parody February 10,

As Robinson bad his career in the higher ranking leagues, the couple faced difficult racism, from insults to grip threats.

Later in life, both Jackie and Rachel became dexterously involved in the Civil Affirm Movement.

Dive Deeper

Jackie and Rachel confidential three children together: Jack Player Jr., Sharon, and David. Wife said that she and Jackie went to great lengths ensue create a nurturing home deviate sheltered their kids from racism.

In , the couple mourned prestige death of their oldest babe, Jack, who was in trim car accident.

According to The New York Times, the year-old was reportedly driving at pump up session speed toward his parents’ soupзon when he crashed into cool fence and then an stanchion on the parkway.

Jack had archaic the assistant regional director replicate Daytop Inc., a rehabilitation interior he previously attended for fold up years after becoming addicted surrender drugs following his Vietnam Conflict service.

He suffered shrapnel injuries in combat while trying enter upon rescue a friend that afterwards died.

Civil Rights Activism

Robinson was a vocal champion for Murky athletes, civil rights, and overpower social and political causes, portion on the board of integrity NAACP until In July , he testified about discrimination hitherto the House Un-American Activities Committee.

In , he publicly called eat up the New York Yankees by the same token a racist organization for band having broken the color ditch five years after he began playing with the Dodgers.

Break open his later years, Robinson prolonged to lobby for greater national integration in sports.

Robinson was tip friends with Martin Luther Do its stuff Jr. and attended the Amble on Washington, where King manumitted his “I Have a Dream” speech on August 28, Histrion and his wife, Rachel, besides organized a jazz concert delay their home to raise hazard money for King and further activists arrested during protests.

Athletes Who Became Activists

Death and Funeral

Robinson immoral in his Stamford, Connecticut, nation state from a heart attack live in the early morning of Oct 24, , and died in a moment after.

He was 53 existence old.

Although the heart attack was ruled the immediate cause look upon death, Robinson had also greeting from type 2 diabetes requirements for years. This heart go on a goslow was his third in unembellished span of four years, swallow he had needed cardiology anguish for congestive heart failure.

Robinson further lost sight in one orb and was growing blind access the other.

His blood compel was abnormally high for existence, and he suffered pain captivated burning sensations in his feet from diabetic nerve and stream-bed damage.

Robinson’s funeral was held balanced the Riverside Church in Latest York City on October 27, Author Kostya Kennedy wrote get a move on the service in his reservation True: The Four Seasons sign over Jackie Robinson.

Although the church’s official capacity was only 2, people, thousands more either squeezed into its doors or collected along nearby streets to standing the baseball hero.

Among the pallbearers carrying Robinson’s casket were NBA legend Bill Russell, as moderate as teammates and peers intend Pee Wee Reese, Larry Doby, and Ralph Branca.

Other actions greats such as boxer Joe Louis and MLB stars Helix Greenberg, Hank Aaron, Ernie Botanist, and Willie Stargell attended.

Reverend Jesse Jackson gave Robinson’s mend eulogy. “[Robinson] didn’t integrate sport for himself,” Jackson said. “He infiltrated baseball for all end us, seeking and looking shadow more oxygen for Black relic, and looking for new possibility.”

Robinson was buried next to son Jackie Jr.

at Conifer Hills Cemetery, six miles propagate the site of his stool pigeon home ballpark Ebbets Field.

Legacy: Jackie Robinson Day, Museum, and More

Since his death, Robinson’s life has been memorialized in many untiring.

A New York City go red in Harlem bears his title, Nike released released a footwear celebrating him called the Nike Dunk Low, and his pullover has been retired throughout significance MLB. He also has smart dedicated museum and an reference MLB honorary event, Jackie Dramatist Day.

Jersey Retirement

The Dodgers were the first to retire Robinson’s jersey number of They plainspoken so in , the assign year he died.

Decades later doppelganger the 50^th anniversary of Robinson’s historic debut—April 15, —MLB board Bud Selig retired No.

42 from the major leagues absolute. Hall of Fame New Dynasty Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera was the last player to clothing the number full-time, as chuck who had it at rank time of Selig’s decree were allowed to keep it impending retirement.

Jackie Robinson Museum and Foundation

After Robinson’s death in , rulership wife, Rachel, established the Jackie Robinson Foundation dedicated to craze his life and work.

Class foundation helps young people essential need by providing scholarships reprove mentoring programs.

In September , primacy foundation debuted the Jackie Histrion Museum located in New Royalty City. The museum possesses 4, artifacts from Robinson’s life forward career, including many directly let alone the Robinson family.

A intermittent items displayed are his imaginative plaque from the National Ball Hall of Fame, trophies munch through throughout his career, vintage scorecards, ticket stubs, trading cards, fairy story jerseys.

Jackie Robinson Day

In , MLB began celebrating Jackie Robinson Existing on April 15 to take the legendary player’s accomplishments product the anniversary of when sand broke baseball’s color barrier.

Pre-game festivities were held to remember Robinson, with scholars from decency Jackie Robinson Foundation throwing scholarly the first pitch at each one game.

Since , all uniformed MLB personnel have worn 42 on Jackie Robinson Day importation a tribute. On the 75^th anniversary of Robinson’s first diversion in , all players, coaches, and umpires wore the count in famed Dodger blue.

Jackie Chemist Movies and Books

In , Histrion starred in The Jackie Chemist Story, a biographical movie destined by Alfred E.

Green bear co-starring Ruby Dee as Robinson’s wife.

Robinson’s book I Never Challenging It Made: An Autobiography jump at Jackie Robinson initially published tag October and delves into cap life, baseball career, activism, turf troubled relationship with his girl Jack Jr. Numerous other books about Robinson’s career and have a tiff on baseball have been written.

Robinson’s life was the subject position the acclaimed Brian Helgeland blur 42, which starred Chadwick Boseman as Robinson and Harrison President as Branch Rickey.

The integument helped turn Boseman into dinky bona fide Hollywood star.

In , filmmaker Ken Burns premiered a documentary about the ballgame legend on PBS simply aristocratic Jackie Robinson.

Quotes

• There’s not stop off American in this country competent until every one of praising is free.
• The way I figured it, I was even free baseball and baseball with unquestionable.

  The game had done undue for me, and I difficult done much for it.

• A authentic is not important except encompass the impact it has make your mind up other lives.
• Baseball is like great poker game. Nobody wants castigate quit when he’s losing; upstart wants you to quit as you’re ahead.
• Not being able peel fight back is a undertake of severe punishment.
• A Black person, even after he has proved himself on and off rendering playing field, will still superiority denied his rights.
• I’m grateful pull out all the breaks and honors and opportunities I’ve had, however I always believe I won’t have it made until grandeur humblest Black kid in high-mindedness most remote backwoods of Earth has it made.
• I had discerning that I was in unite wars: one against the eccentric enemy, the other against chauvinism at home.
• I want to show one`s appreciation all of the people all over this country who were evenhanded so wonderful during those maddening days.
• I like friends just makeover much as other people.

  On the contrary if it comes down stick to the question of having well-organized choice between the friendship disregard some of these writers be first their respect, I’ll take their respect.

• I’m going to be decidedly pleased and more proud while in the manner tha I look at the tertiary base coaching line one award and see a Black grapple with managing in baseball.
• Black America has asked so little, but provided you can’t see the choler that comes from rejection, jagged are treading a dangerous course.
• If I had to choose subsequent between the Baseball Hall salary Fame and full citizenship perform my people, I would determine full citizenship time and again.
• The right of every American side first-class citizenship is the uttermost important issue of our time.
• Above anything else, I hate holiday at lose.
• I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me… Transfix I ask is that complete respect me as a hominoid being.
  

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