Jackie robinson biography pdf free encyclopedia

American baseball player (1919–1972)

For extra people named Jackie Robinson, cloak Jackie Robinson (disambiguation).

Baseball player

Jack Roosevelt Robinson (January 31, 1919 – Oct 24, 1972) was an Dweller professional baseball player who became the first African-American to physical activity in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the modern era. Thespian broke the color line conj at the time that he started at first stick for the Brooklyn Dodgers waning April 15, 1947. The Dodgers signing Robinson heralded the boundary of racial segregation in clerical baseball, which had relegated murky players to the Negro leagues since the 1880s.

Born coach in Cairo, Georgia, Robinson was elevated in Pasadena, California. A four-sport student athlete at Pasadena Adolescent College and the University be more or less California, Los Angeles, he was better known for football fondle he was for baseball, obsequious a star college player sign up the UCLA Bruins football bunch. Following his college career, Player was drafted for service all along World War II but was court-martialed for refusing to take the weight at the back of uncut segregated Army bus, eventually creature honorably discharged. Afterwards, he unmixed with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro leagues, turn he caught the eye innumerable Branch Rickey, general manager bad buy the Brooklyn Dodgers, who tending he would be the poor candidate for breaking the chroma line in MLB.

During fillet 10-year MLB career, Robinson won the inaugural Rookie of description Year Award in 1947, was an All-Star for six in succession seasons from 1949 through 1954, and won the National Combination (NL) Most Valuable Player Furnish in 1949—the first black performer so honored. Robinson played interpose six World Series and voluntary to the Dodgers' 1955 Fake Series championship. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall use up Fame in 1962 in surmount first year of eligibility.

Robinson's character, his use of nonviolence, and his talent challenged high-mindedness traditional basis of segregation mosey had then marked many fear aspects of American life. Noteworthy influenced the culture of highest contributed significantly to the secular rights movement. Robinson also was the first black television restrained in MLB and the precede black vice president of straight major American corporation, Chock adequate o'Nuts. In the 1960s, appease helped establish the Freedom Tribal Bank, an African-American-owned financial company based in Harlem, New Royalty. After his death in 1972, Robinson was posthumously awarded high-mindedness Congressional Gold Medal and Statesmanly Medal of Freedom in furl of his achievements on don off the field. In 1997, MLB retired his uniform matter, 42, across all Major Foil teams; he was the cheeriness professional athlete in any entertainment to be so honored. MLB also adopted a new one-year tradition, "Jackie Robinson Day", attach importance to the first time on Apr 15, 2004, on which all player on every team wears no. 42.

Early life

Family dowel personal life

Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, into a family of sharecroppers in Cairo, Georgia. He was the youngest of five line born to Mallie (née McGriff) and Jerry Robinson, after siblings Edgar, Frank, Matthew (nicknamed "Mack"), and Willa Mae.^[1][2] His harmony name honored former President Theodore Roosevelt, who died 25 period before Robinson was born.^[3] Funds Robinson's father left the parentage in 1920, they moved watchdog Pasadena, California.^[4][5]

The extended Robinson kinfolk established itself on a domestic plot containing two small castles at 121 Pepper Street rotation Pasadena. Robinson's mother worked diversified odd jobs to support rectitude family.^[6] Growing up in allied poverty in an otherwise rich community, Robinson and his eld friends were excluded from distinct recreational opportunities.^[7] As a elucidation, Robinson joined a neighborhood ring, but his friend Carl Writer persuaded him to abandon it.^[7][8][9]

John Muir High School

In 1935, Thespian graduated from Washington Junior Lofty School and enrolled at Toilet Muir Technical High School.^[10] Complying his athletic talents, Robinson's sr. brothers, Frank and Mack (himself an accomplished track and inclusion athlete and silver medalist reservoir Jesse Owens in the Cardinal meters at the Berlin 1936 Summer Olympics) inspired Jackie run on pursue his interest in sports.^[9][11][12]

At Muir Tech, Robinson played copious sports at the varsity uniform and lettered in four classic them: football, basketball, track talented field, and baseball.^[5] He sham shortstop and catcher on rendering baseball team, quarterback on grandeur football team, and guard short-term the basketball team. With character track and field squad, type won awards in the far-flung jump. He was also cool member of the tennis team.^[13]

In 1936, Robinson won the inferior boys singles championship in representation annual Pacific Coast Negro Sport Tournament and earned a boding evil on the Pomona annual ball tournament all-star team, which charade future Hall of FamersTed Reverend and Bob Lemon.^[14] In group together January 1937, the Pasadena Star-News newspaper reported that Robinson "for two years has been say publicly outstanding athlete at Muir, head in football, basketball, track, ball, and tennis."^[15]

Pasadena Junior College

After Fell, Robinson attended Pasadena Junior Institute (PJC), where he continued her highness athletic career by participating bring to fruition basketball, football, baseball, and track.^[16] On the football team, misstep played quarterback and safety. Proscribed was a shortstop and leadoff hitter for the baseball team,^[5] and he broke an Dweller junior college broad-jump record restricted by his brother Mack collide with a jump of 25 ft. 6+1⁄2 in. on May 7, 1938.^[17] As at Muir High Educational institution, most of Jackie's teammates were white.^[14] While playing football convenient PJC, Robinson suffered a severed ankle, complications from which would eventually delay his deployment opinion while in the military.^[18][19] Detect 1938, he was elected private house the All-Southland Junior College Side for baseball and selected though the region's Most Valuable Player.^[11][20]

That year, Robinson was one deserve 10 students named to dignity school's Order of the Pole and Dagger (Omicron Mu Delta), awarded to students performing "outstanding service to the school stomach whose scholastic and citizenship cloakanddagger is worthy of recognition."^[21] Further while at PJC, he was elected to the Lancers, a-okay student-run police organization responsible purchase patrolling various school activities.^[22]

An occurrence at PJC illustrated Robinson's anger with authority figures he supposed as racist—a character trait lapse would resurface repeatedly in tiara life. On January 25, 1938, he was arrested after vocally disputing the detention of unblended black friend by police.^[23] Actor received a two-year suspended determination, but the incident—along with mess up rumored run-ins between Robinson don police—gave Robinson a reputation mend combativeness in the face find racial antagonism.^[24] While at PJC, he was motivated by capital preacher (the Rev. Karl Downs) to attend church on a-ok regular basis, and Downs became a confidant for Robinson, wonderful Christian.^[25] Toward the end perceive his PJC tenure, Frank Ballplayer (to whom Robinson felt next among his three brothers) was killed in a motorcycle casualty. The event motivated Jackie make a victim of pursue his athletic career velvety the nearby University of Calif., Los Angeles (UCLA), where crystal-clear could remain closer to Frank's family.^[11][26]

UCLA and afterward

After graduating deprive PJC in spring 1939,^[27] Histrion enrolled at UCLA, where proceed became the school's first shoot to win varsity letters underneath four sports: baseball, basketball, participants, and track.^[28][29]

He was one grip four black players on rank Bruins' 1939 football team; integrity others were Woody Strode, Kenny Washington, and Ray Bartlett. Educator, Strode, and Robinson made share three of the team's connect backfield players.^[30] At a leave to another time when only a few caliginous students played mainstream college players, this made UCLA college football's most integrated team.^[31][32] They went undefeated with four ties trite 6–0–4.^[33] Robinson finished the patch with 12.2 yards per cause on 42 carries, which deterioration the school football record lead to highest rushing yards per deal in in a season as all-round 2022. Robinson also led authority NCAA in punt return criterion in the 1939 and 1940 seasons.^[34]

In track and field, Dramatist won the 1940 NCAA help in the long jump deride 24 ft 10+1⁄4 in (7.58 m).^[35]Baseball was Robinson's "worst sport" at UCLA; recognized hit .097 in his inimitable season, although in his be in first place game he went 4-for-4 beam twice stole home.^[36]

While a older at UCLA, Robinson met reward future wife, Rachel Isum (b.1922), a UCLA freshman who was familiar with Robinson's athletic activity at PJC.^[37] He played american football gridiron as a senior, but prestige 1940 Bruins won only suggestion game.^[38] In the spring, Actor left college just shy conduct operations graduation, despite the reservations castigate his mother and Isum.^[39] Sharp-tasting took a job as lever assistant athletic director with excellence government's National Youth Administration (NYA) in Atascadero, California.^[40][41][42]

After the state ceased NYA operations, Robinson voyage to Honolulu in the have your home in of 1941 to play division for the semi-professional, racially innate Honolulu Bears.^[40][42] After a concise season, Robinson returned to Calif. in December 1941 to pay one`s addresses to a career as running arrival for the Los Angeles Bulldogs of the Pacific Coast American football gridiron League.^[43] By that time, dispel, the Japanese attack on Scarcity Harbor had taken place, which drew the United States add up to World War II and complete Robinson's nascent football career.^[40]

Military career

In 1942, Robinson was drafted and established to a segregated Army horse unit at Fort Riley, Kansas.^[44] Having the requisite qualifications, Actor and several other black men applied for admission to double-cross Officer Candidate School (OCS) next located at Fort Riley.^[44][45]

Although honourableness Army's initial July 1941 guidelines for OCS had been drafted as race-neutral, few black acreage were admitted into OCS inconclusive after subsequent directives by Armed force leadership.^[46] The applications of Histrion and his colleagues were late for several months.^[47] After protests by heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis (then stationed at Citadel Riley) and with the worth of Truman Gibson (then intimation assistant civilian aide to position Secretary of War),^[48] the soldiers were accepted into OCS.^[40][47][49] Description experience led to a unconfirmed friendship between Robinson and Louis.^[50] Upon finishing OCS, Robinson was commissioned as a second deputy in January 1943.^[29] Shortly later on, Robinson and Isum were officially engaged.^[47]

After receiving his commission, Thespian was reassigned to Fort Bonnet, Texas, where he joined honourableness 761st "Black Panthers" Tank Brigade. While at Fort Hood, Thespian often used his weekend lack of restraint to visit the Rev. Karl Downs, President of Sam Filmmaker College (now Huston–Tillotson University) principal nearby Austin, Texas; in Calif., Downs had been Robinson's clergywoman at Scott United Methodist Religion while Robinson attended PJC.^[23][51]

An travelling fair on July 6, 1944, derailed Robinson's military career.^[52] While undecided results of hospital tests snitch the ankle he had be painful in junior college, Robinson boarded an Army bus with excellent fellow officer's wife; although representation Army had commissioned its disused unsegregated bus line, the autobus driver ordered Robinson to advance to the back of honesty bus.^[53][54][55] Robinson refused. The conductor backed down, but after achievement the end of the closure, summoned the military police, who took Robinson into custody.^[53][56] Like that which Robinson later confronted the delve into duty officer about racist mistrustful by the officer and tiara assistant, the officer recommended Player be court-martialed.^[53][57]

After Robinson's commander encumber the 761st, Paul L. Bates, refused to authorize the admissible action, Robinson was summarily transferred to the 758th Battalion—where loftiness commander quickly consented to selfcontrol Robinson with multiple offenses, counting, among other charges, public tipsiness delirium, even though Robinson did cry drink.^[53][58]

By the time of prestige court-martial in August 1944, excellence charges against Robinson had antediluvian reduced to two counts honor insubordination during questioning.^[53] Robinson was acquitted by an all-white swing round of nine officers.^[53]

Although his trace unit, the 761st Tank Horde, became the first black tankful unit to see combat hem in World War II, Robinson's court-martial proceedings prohibited him from instruct deployed overseas, and he was never in combat.^[59]

After his exoneration, he was transferred to Camping-ground Breckinridge, Kentucky, where he served as a coach for crowd athletics until receiving an noble discharge in November 1944.^[60] From way back there, Robinson met a supplier player for the Kansas Gen Monarchs of the Negro Inhabitant League, who encouraged Robinson farm write the Monarchs and spin out for a tryout.^[61] Robinson took the former player's advice title wrote to Monarchs co-owner Socialist Baird.^[62]

Post-military

After his discharge, Robinson for the moment returned to his old line club, the Los Angeles Bulldogs.^[43] Robinson then accepted an implication from his old friend remarkable pastor Rev. Karl Downs jab be the athletic director doubtful Samuel Huston College in Austin, then of the Southwestern Hearty Conference.^[63] The job included employment the school's basketball team senseless the 1944–45 season.^[51] As recoup was a fledgling program, students tried out for dignity basketball team, and Robinson uniform resorted to inserting himself talk about the lineup for exhibition games.^[63][64] Although his teams were outmatched by opponents, Robinson was revered as a disciplinarian coach,^[51] become more intense drew the admiration of, middle others, Langston University basketball sportswoman Marques Haynes, a future shareholder of the Harlem Globetrotters.^[65]

Playing career

Negro leagues and major league prospects

In early 1945, while Robinson was at Sam Huston College, honourableness Kansas City Monarchs sent him a written offer to segment professional baseball in the Swarthy leagues.^[51][66] Robinson accepted a agreement for $400 per month.^[40][67] Tho' he played well for ethics Monarchs, Robinson was frustrated not in favour of the experience. He had complete used to a structured effectuation environment in college, and glory Negro leagues' disorganization and subsume of gambling interests appalled him.^[68][69] The hectic travel schedule additionally placed a burden on dominion relationship with Isum, with whom he could now communicate lone by letter.^[70] In all, Thespian played 47 games at infielder for the Monarchs, hitting .387 with five home runs, keep from registering 13 stolen bases.^[71] Flair also appeared in the 1945 East–West All-Star Game, going scoreless in five at-bats.^[72]

During the opportunity ripe, Robinson pursued potential major combine interests. No black man abstruse played in the major leagues since Moses Fleetwood Walker wring 1884, but the Boston Belt Sox nevertheless held a audition at Fenway Park for Thespian and other black players engage in battle April 16.^[73][74] The tryout, despite that, was a farce chiefly calculated to assuage the desegregationist sense of touch of powerful Boston City Councilman Isadore H. Y. Muchnick.^[75] Regular with the stands limited persevere with management, Robinson was subjected dare racial epithets.^[76] He left high-mindedness tryout humiliated,^[73] and more top 14 years later, in July 1959, the Red Sox became the final major league order to integrate its roster.^[77]

Other teams, however, had more serious woo in signing a black player. In the mid-1940s, Branch Rickey, club president and general leader of the Brooklyn Dodgers, began to scout the Negro leagues for a possible addition accept the Dodgers' roster. Rickey elect Robinson from a list fanatic promising black players and interviewed him for possible assignment abut Brooklyn's International Leaguefarm club, primacy Montreal Royals.^[78] Rickey was mega interested in making sure coronate eventual signee could withstand loftiness inevitable racial abuse that would be directed at him.^[79][80] Effect a famous three-hour exchange constitution August 28, 1945, Rickey on one\'s own initiative Robinson if he could slender the racial animus without delegation the bait and reacting angrily—a concern given Robinson's prior hypothesis with law enforcement officials fall back PJC and in the military.^[40] Robinson was aghast: "Are cheer up looking for a Negro who is afraid to fight back?"^[80][81] Rickey replied that he needful a Negro player "with gumption enough not to fight back."^[80][81] After obtaining a commitment overrun Robinson to "turn the additional cheek" to racial antagonism, Rickey agreed to sign him inspire a contract for $600 uncut month, equal to $10,155 today.^[82][83][84] Rickey did not offer pay to the Monarchs, instead believing all Negro league players were free agents due to depiction contracts not containing a purity clause.^[85] Among those with whom Rickey discussed prospects was Wendell Smith, writer for the coal-black weekly Pittsburgh Courier, who, according to Cleveland Indians owner put forward team president Bill Veeck, "influenced Rickey to take Jack Player, for which he's never wholly gotten credit."^[86]

Although he required Player to keep the arrangement expert secret for the time life, Rickey committed to formally mark Robinson before November 1, 1945.^[87] On October 23, it was publicly announced that Robinson would be assigned to the Queenship for the 1946 season.^[40][83][88] Fenderbender the same day, with representatives of the Royals and Dodgers present, Robinson formally signed queen contract with the Royals.^[89] Stop off what was later referred appoint as "The Noble Experiment",^[40][90] Chemist was the first black sport player in the International Cohort since the 1880s.^[91][92] He was not necessarily the best actor in the Negro leagues,^[93] arm black talents Satchel Paige beginning Josh Gibson were upset like that which Robinson was selected first.^[94]Larry Doby, who broke the color cultivate in the American League ethics same year as Robinson, thought, "One of the things turn was disappointing and disheartening cross-reference a lot of the sooty players at the time was that Jack was not leadership best player. The best was Josh Gibson. I think that's one of the reasons ground Josh died so early—he was heartbroken."^[95]

Rickey's offer allowed Robinson emphasize leave behind the Monarchs contemporary their grueling bus rides, put forward he went home to Metropolis. That September, he signed congregate Chet Brewer's Kansas City Nobles, a post-season barnstorming team satisfy the California Winter League.^[96][97] Afterwards that off-season, he briefly toured South America with another barnstorming team, while his fiancée Isum pursued nursing opportunities in Novel York City.^[98] On February 10, 1946, Robinson and Isum were married by their old reviewer, the Rev. Karl Downs.^{[40][99][100]}

Minor leagues

In 1946, Robinson arrived at Daytona Beach, Florida, for spring tradition with the Montreal Royals firm footing the Class AAAInternational League. Mire Hopper, the manager of character Royals, asked Rickey to donate Robinson to any other Cheater affiliate, but Rickey refused.^[101]

Robinson's adjacency was controversial in racially off the beaten track Florida. He was not legitimate to stay with his bloodless teammates at the team guest-house, and instead lodged at primacy home of Joe and Dufferin Harris, a politically active African-American couple who introduced the Robinsons to civil rights activist Skeleton McLeod Bethune.^{[102][103][104]} Since the Dodgers organization did not own wonderful spring training facility, scheduling was subject to the whim conjure area localities, several of which turned down any event with regard to Robinson or Johnny Wright, option black player whom Rickey difficult signed to the Dodgers' troop in January. In Sanford, Florida, the police chief threatened pore over cancel games if Robinson cranium Wright did not cease loyalty activities there; as a produce an effect, Robinson was sent back class Daytona Beach.^[105][106] In Jacksonville, authority stadium was padlocked shut broke warning on game day, make wet order of the city's Parks and Public Property director.^[107][108] Bring in DeLand, a scheduled day pastime was postponed, ostensibly because achieve issues with the stadium's rule lighting.^[109][110]

After much lobbying of resident officials by Rickey himself, description Royals were allowed to stationary a game involving Robinson bonding agent Daytona Beach.^[111][112] Robinson made diadem Royals debut at Daytona Beach's City Island Ballpark on Step 17, 1946, in an display game against the team's cause club, the Dodgers. Robinson non-standard thusly became the first black actor to openly play for capital minor league team against neat major league team since goodness de facto baseball color propel had been implemented in class 1880s.^[113]

Later in spring training, tail end some less-than-stellar performances, Robinson was shifted from shortstop to in no time at all base, allowing him to put a label on shorter throws to first base.^[58] Robinson's performance soon rebounded. The wrong way round April 18, 1946, Roosevelt Coliseum hosted the Jersey City Giants' season opener against the Metropolis Royals, marking the professional initiation of the Royals' Jackie Player and the first time representation color barrier had been spindly in a game between combine minor league clubs.^[114] Pitching be realistic Robinson was Warren Sandel who had played against him just as they both lived in Calif.. During Robinson's first at gleam, the Jersey City catcher, Gumshoe Bouknight, demanded that Sandel oust at Robinson, but Sandel refused. Although Sandel induced Robinson statement of intent ground out at his extreme at bat, Robinson ended chop with four hits in fillet five at bats; his crowning hit was a three-run house run in the game's ordinal inning.^[115] He also scored three runs, drove in three, keep from stole two bases in blue blood the gentry Royals' 14–1 victory.^[116] Robinson proceeded to lead the International Alliance that season with a .349 batting average and .985 author percentage, and he was person's name the league's Most Valuable Player.^[117] Although he often faced competition while on road trips (the Royals were forced to cross out a Southern exhibition tour, on the road to example),^[58] the Montreal fan be there for enthusiastically supported Robinson.^[118][119] Whether fans supported or opposed it, Robinson's presence on the field was a boon to attendance; work up than one million people went to games involving Robinson satisfaction 1946, an astounding figure mass International League standards.^[1] In goodness fall of 1946, following authority baseball season, Robinson returned domicile to California and briefly la-de-da professional basketball for the ephemeral Los Angeles Red Devils.^[120][121]

Major leagues

Breaking the color barrier (1947)

In 1947, the Dodgers called Robinson leaching to the major leagues shake up days before the start dispense the season. With Eddie Stanky entrenched at second base transfer the Dodgers, Robinson played coronate initial major league season whereas a first baseman.^[80] Robinson thankful his debut as a Cornbread wearing uniform number 42 category April 11, 1947, in systematic preseason exhibition game against grandeur New York Yankees at Ebbets Field with 24,237 in attendance.^[122] On April 15, Robinson thankful his major league debut go on doing the relatively advanced age model 28 at Ebbets Field in advance a crowd of 26,623 spectators, more than 14,000 of whom were black.^[123] Although he unsuccessful to get a base smack, he walked and scored fastidious run in the Dodgers' 5–3 victory.^[124] Robinson became the crowning player since 1884 to forthrightly break the major league ballgame color line. Black fans began flocking to see the Dodgers when they came to community, abandoning their Negro league teams.^[94]

Robinson's promotion met a generally lead, although mixed, reception among newspapers and white major league players.^[1][125] However, racial tension existed feature the Dodger clubhouse.^[126] Some Skiver players insinuated they would rest out rather than play equidistant Robinson. The brewing mutiny hanging when Dodgers management took calligraphic stand for Robinson. Manager Individual Durocher informed the team, "I do not care if rectitude guy is yellow or jet, or if he has band like a fuckin' zebra. I'm the manager of this group, and I say he plays. What's more, I say take action can make us all well provided for. And if any of jagged cannot use the money, Frantic will see that you strengthen all traded."^[127]

Robinson was also derided by opposing teams.^[128] According put in plain words a press report, the Erstwhile. Louis Cardinals threatened to go on strike if Robinson played and width the walkout across the full National League.^[129] Existence of rectitude plot was said to maintain been leaked by the Cardinals' team physician, Robert Hyland, argue with a friend, the New Dynasty Herald Tribune's Rud Rennie. Decency reporter, concerned about protecting Hyland's anonymity and job, in ride leaked it to his Tribune colleague and editor, Stanley Historiographer, whose own subsequent reporting tally up other sources protected Hyland.^{[130][131][132]} Greatness Woodward article made national headlines. After it was published, Stable League President Ford Frick mushroom Baseball CommissionerHappy Chandler let gas mask be known that any clear-thinking players would be suspended. "You will find that the concern that you think you take in the press box inclination not support you, that on your toes will be outcasts," Frick was quoted as saying. "I annul not care if half description league strikes. Those who unwrap it will encounter quick revenge. All will be suspended add-on I don't care if nonoperational wrecks the National League keep five years. This is high-mindedness United States of America presentday one citizen has as undue right to play as another."^{[132][133][134][135]} Woodward's article received the Heritage. P. Dutton Award in 1947 for Best Sports Reporting.^[132] Excellence Cardinals players denied that they were planning to strike, dominant Woodward later told author Roger Kahn that Frick was her majesty true source; writer Warren Gladiator said that Frick's speech "never happened".^[129] Regardless, the report to one side to Robinson receiving increased benefaction from the sports media. Regular The Sporting News, a jotter that had backed the plus line, came out against description idea of a strike.^[129]

Robinson however became the target of raging physical play by opponents (particularly the Cardinals). At one crux, he received a seven-inch laceration in his leg from Enos Slaughter.^[136] On April 22, 1947, during a game between nobleness Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies, Phillies players and manager Mountain Chapman called Robinson a "nigger" from their dugout and scream that he should "go limit to the cotton fields".^[137] Rickey later recalled that Chapman "did more than anybody to enfold the Dodgers. When he poured out that string of unprincipled abuse, he solidified and pooled thirty men."^[138]

However, Robinson received consequential encouragement from several major combination players. Robinson named Lee "Jeep" Handley, who played for prestige Phillies at the time, reorganization the first opposing player add up wish him well.^[139] Dodgers partner Pee Wee Reese once came to Robinson's defense with greatness famous line, "You can venom a man for many postulate. Color is not one time off them."^[140] In 1947 or 1948, Reese is said to own acquire put his arm around Histrion in response to fans who shouted racial slurs at Chemist before a game in Beantown or Cincinnati.^[141][142] A statue from one side to the ot sculptor William Behrends, unveiled bequeath KeySpan Park on November 1, 2005, depicts Reese with monarch arm around Robinson.^[143]Jewish baseball luminary Hank Greenberg, who had disrespect deal with ethnic epithets amid his career, also encouraged Histrion. Following an incident where Linguist collided with Robinson at culminating base, he "whispered a meagre words into Robinson's ear", which Robinson later characterized as "words of encouragement".^[144] Greenberg had considered him to overcome his critics by defeating them in games.^[144] Robinson also talked frequently clip Larry Doby, who endured sovereign own hardships since becoming rank first black player in illustriousness American League with the Metropolis Indians, as the two support to each other via ring up throughout the season.^[145]

Robinson finished primacy season having played in 151 games for the Dodgers, touch a batting average of .297, an on-base percentage of .383, and a .427 slugging cut. He had 175 hits (scoring 125 runs) including 31 doubles, 5 triples, and 12 rural area runs, driving in 48 runs for the year. Robinson take the edge off the league in sacrifice hits, with 28, and in taken bases, with 29.^[146] His additive performance earned him the introductory Major League Baseball Rookie indicate the Year Award (separate Internal and American League Rookie past it the Year honors were slogan awarded until 1949).^[147]

That year, influence Brooklyn Dodgers won the Folk League pennant and went crowd to face the Yankees be grateful for the 1947 World Series. Chemist became the first black sportsman to play in the Globe Series. He appeared in visit seven games, with the Dodgers ultimately losing in Game 7.^[148]

MVP, Congressional testimony, and film memoirs (1948–1950)

Further information: Paul Robeson Legislative hearings

Following Stanky's trade to leadership Boston Braves in March 1948, Robinson took over second cheer on, where he logged a .980 fielding percentage that year (second in the National League bonus the position, fractionally behind Stanky). Robinson had a batting guideline of .296 and 22 taken bases for the season.^[149] Tight a 12–7 win against birth St. Louis Cardinals on Sedate 29, 1948, he hit all for the cycle—a home run, marvellous triple, a double, and natty single in the same game.^[150] The Dodgers briefly moved happen to first place in the Governmental League in late August 1948, but they ultimately finished 3rd as the Braves went other self to win the pennant survive lose to the Cleveland Indians in the World Series.^[151]

Racial effort on Robinson eased in 1948 when a number of badger black players entered the senior leagues. Larry Doby (who indigent the color barrier in primacy American League on July 5, 1947, just 11 weeks back end Robinson) and Satchel Paige troubled for the Cleveland Indians, allow the Dodgers had three overpower black players besides Robinson. Call in February 1948, he signed boss $12,500 contract (equal to $158,518 today) with the Dodgers; determine a significant amount, this was less than Robinson made set up the off-season from a cabaret tour, where he answered preplanned baseball questions and a tongued tour of the South. Halfway the tours, he underwent medicine on his right ankle. Being of his off-season activities, Dramatist reported to training camp 30 pounds (14 kg) overweight. He left out the weight during training campingsite, but dieting left him feeble at the plate.^[152] In 1948, Wendell Smith's book, Jackie Robinson: My Own Story, was released.^[153]

In the spring of 1949, Chemist turned to Hall of Famer George Sisler, working as swindler advisor to the Dodgers, shelter batting help. At Sisler's tinge, Robinson spent hours at a-okay batting tee, learning to receiving the ball to right world. Sisler taught Robinson to counteract a fastball, on the hypothesis that it is easier endorse subsequently adjust to a slower curveball. Robinson also noted deviate "Sisler showed me how in half a shake stop lunging, how to halt my swing until the stay fresh fraction of a second". Grandeur tutelage helped Robinson raise queen batting average from .296 enclose 1948 to .342 in 1949.^[154] In addition to his cured batting average, Robinson stole 37 bases that season, was alternate place in the league engage both doubles and triples, predominant registered 124 runs batted patent with 122 runs scored.^[80] Compel the performance Robinson earned influence Most Valuable Player Award pointless the National League.^[80] Baseball fans also voted Robinson as honesty starting second baseman for leadership 1949 All-Star Game — honourableness first All-Star Game to embrace black players.^[155][156]

That year, a strain about Robinson by Buddy Lexicographer, "Did You See Jackie Thespian Hit That Ball?", reached number 13 on the charts; Count Basie recorded a famous version.^[157] In the final, the Dodgers won the Special League pennant, but lost fall five games to the Unusual York Yankees in the 1949 World Series.^[158]

Summer 1949 brought inventiveness unwanted distraction for Robinson. Fulfil July, he was called nip in the bud testify before the United States House of Representatives' Committee observer Un-American Activities (HUAC) concerning statements made that April by inky athlete and actor Paul Vocalist. Robinson was reluctant to declare, but he eventually agreed promote to do so, fearing it energy negatively affect his career venture he declined.^[159]

In 1950, Robinson loaded the National League in fill-in plays made by a in two shakes baseman with 133.^[150] His dedicated that year was the paramount any Dodger had been remunerative to that point: $35,000 ($443,237 in 2023 dollars). He finalize the year with 99 runs scored, a .328 batting principles, and 12 stolen bases.^[149] Glory year saw the release magnetize a film biography of Robinson's life, The Jackie Robinson Story, in which Robinson played herself, and actress Ruby Dee assumed Rachel "Rae" (Isum) Robinson.^[160] Birth project had been previously slow when the film's producers refused to accede to demands endorsement two Hollywood studios that picture movie include scenes of Dramatist being tutored in baseball infant a white man.^[161]The New Dynasty Times wrote that Robinson, "doing that rare thing of exhibit himself in the picture's trustworthy role, displays a calm buoyancy and composure that might put pen to paper envied by many a Tone star."^[162]

Robinson's Hollywood exploits, however, exact not sit well with Dodgers co-owner Walter O'Malley, who referred to Robinson as "Rickey's star donna".^[163] In late 1950, Rickey's contract as the Dodgers' band President expired. Weary of unbroken disagreements with O'Malley, and deal no hope of being re-appointed as President of the Dodgers, Rickey cashed out his one-fourth financial interest in the band, leaving O'Malley in full curtail of the franchise.^[164] Rickey presently thereafter became general manager be partial to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Robinson was disappointed at the turn make a fuss over events and wrote a empathetic letter to Rickey, whom stylishness considered a father figure, stating, "Regardless of what happens cut short me in the future, on the trot all can be placed hunch what you have done avoid, believe me, I appreciate it."^{[165][166][167]}

Pennant races and outside interests (1951–1953)

Before the 1951 season, O'Malley reportedly offered Robinson the job familiar manager of the Montreal Royalty, effective at the end use up Robinson's playing career. O'Malley was quoted in the Montreal Standard as saying, "Jackie told be expecting that he would be both delighted and honored to return this managerial post"—although reports differed as to whether a situation was ever formally offered.^[168][169]

During distinction 1951 season, Robinson led depiction National League in double plays made by a second baseman for the second year razorsharp a row, with 137.^[150] Bankruptcy also kept the Dodgers bring in contention for the 1951 banderole. During the last game pointer the regular season, in description 13th inning, he had unembellished hit to tie the play and then hit a cloudless run in the 14th frame, which proved to be prestige winning margin. This forced first-class best-of-three playoff series against justness crosstown rival New York Giants.^[170]

Despite Robinson's regular-season heroics, on Oct 3, 1951, the Dodgers missing the pennant on Bobby Thomson's famous home run, known on account of the Shot Heard 'Round glory World. Overcoming his dejection, Chemist dutifully observed Thomson's feet thoroughly ensure he touched all position bases. Dodgers sportscaster Vin Scully later noted that the snap showed "how much of adroit competitor Robinson was."^[171] He complete the season with 106 runs scored, a batting average clutch .335, and 25 stolen bases.^[149]

Robinson had what was an repeated year for him in 1952.^[172] He finished the year add-on 104 runs, a .308 batten average, and 24 stolen bases. He did, however, record fine career-high on-base percentage of .436.^[149] The Dodgers improved on their performance from the year formerly, winning the National League pennon before losing the 1952 Existence Series to the New Dynasty Yankees in seven games.^[173] Put off year, on the television high up Youth Wants to Know, Dramatist challenged the Yankees' general steward, George Weiss, on the genetic record of his team, which had yet to sign unadulterated black player.^[174] Sportswriter Dick Sour, whom Robinson had described whilst a "bigot", said, "If less was one flaw in Jackie, it was the common collective. He believed that everything nasty that happened to him illustration because of his blackness."^[175] Representation 1952 season was the endure year Robinson was an common starter at second base. Later on, Robinson played variously at supreme, second, and third bases, infielder, and in the outfield, bend Jim Gilliam, another black trouper, taking over everyday second bottom duties. Robinson's interests began tip off shift toward the prospect sharing managing a major league side. He had hoped to appeal to experience by managing in dignity Puerto Rican Winter League, nevertheless according to the New Dynasty Post, Commissioner Happy Chandler denied the request.^[176]

In 1953, Robinson difficult 109 runs, a .329 stuffing average, and 17 steals, chief the Dodgers to another Ethnological League pennant (and another Fake Series loss to the Yankees, this time in six games).^[177] Robinson's continued success spawned top-hole string of death threats.^[178] Stylishness was not dissuaded, however, reject addressing racial issues publicly. Saunter year, he served as redactor for Our Sports magazine, dialect trig periodical focusing on Negro disports issues; contributions to the organ included an article on sport course segregation by Robinson's squeeze friend Joe Louis.^[179][180] Robinson further openly criticized segregated hotels streak restaurants that served the Cornbread organization; a number of these establishments integrated as a resolution, including the five-star Chase Leave Hotel in St. Louis.^[136][181]

World Backup and retirement (1954–1956)

In 1954, Dramatist had 62 runs scored, put in order .311 batting average, and 7 steals. His best day miniature the plate was on June 17, when he hit bend over home runs and two doubles.^[149][150] The following autumn, Robinson won his only championship when glory Dodgers defeated the New Dynasty Yankees in the 1955 False Series.^[182] Although the team enjoyed ultimate success, 1955 was say publicly worst year of Robinson's unattached career. He hit .256 plus stole only 12 bases. Authority Dodgers tried Robinson in goodness outfield and as a gear baseman, both because of top diminishing abilities and because Gilliam was established at second base.^[183] Robinson, then 36 years old,^[184] missed 49 games and sincere not play in Game 7 of the World Series.^[171] Bankruptcy missed the game because elder Walter Alston decided to come to pass Gilliam at second and Rock-solid Hoak at third base. Prowl season, the Dodgers' Don Newcombe became the first black older league pitcher to win 20 games in a year.^[185]

In 1956, Robinson had 61 runs scored, a .275 batting average, see 12 steals.^[149] By then, of course had begun to exhibit birth effects of diabetes and get in touch with lose interest in the notion of playing or managing executive baseball.^[176] Robinson ended his elder league career when he sock out to end Game 7 of the 1956 World Series.^[186] After the season, the Dodgers traded Robinson to the arch-rival New York Giants for Gumshoe Littlefield and $35,000 cash (equal to $392,240 today). The activity, however, was never completed; unheard-of to the Dodgers, Robinson abstruse already agreed with the leader of Chock full o'Nuts denote quit baseball and become mammoth executive with the company.^[187] In that Robinson had sold exclusive ask to any retirement story alongside Look magazine two years previously,^[187] his retirement decision was destroy through the magazine, instead faultless through the Dodgers organization.^[188]

Legacy

Further information: History of baseball in rendering United States § Racial integration hoard baseball

Robinson's major league debut on one\'s knees an end to approximately cardinal years of segregation in nonmanual baseball, known as the ballgame color line. After World Fighting II, several other forces were also leading the country road to increased equality for blacks, with their accelerated migration to character North, where their political clunk grew, and President Harry Truman's desegregation of the military retort 1948.^[189] Robinson's breaking of prestige baseball color line and government professional success symbolized these broader changes and demonstrated that magnanimity fight for equality was make more complicated than simply a political episode. Civil rights movement leader Player Luther King Jr. said go off at a tangent he was "a legend careful a symbol in his stir time", and that he "challenged the dark skies of illiberality and frustration."^[190] According to chronicler Doris Kearns Goodwin, Robinson's "efforts were a monumental step make out the civil-rights revolution in America ... [His] accomplishments allowed black become peaceful white Americans to be further respectful and open to reminder another and more appreciative assiduousness everyone's abilities."^[191]

Beginning his major corresponding item career at the relatively avantgarde age of 28, he bogus only ten seasons from 1947 to 1956, all of them for the Brooklyn Dodgers.^[192] Significant his career, the Dodgers influenced in six World Series, enthralled Robinson himself played in shake up All-Star Games.^[149] In 1999, earth was one of 30 panel named to the Major Confederation Baseball All-Century Team.^[193]

Robinson's career critique generally considered to mark decency beginning of the post–"long ball" era in baseball, in which a reliance on raw power-hitting gave way to balanced unsavoury strategies that used footspeed detection create runs through aggressive baserunning.^[194] Robinson exhibited the combination accomplish hitting ability and speed which exemplified the new era. Smartness scored more than 100 runs in six of his clear up seasons (averaging more than Cardinal runs from 1947 to 1953), had a .311 career stuffing average, a .409 career on-base percentage, a .474 slugging proportion, and substantially more walks get away from strikeouts (740 to 291).^{[149][192][195]} Ballplayer was one of only duo players during the span swallow 1947–56 to accumulate at littlest 125 steals while registering put in order slugging percentage over .425 (Minnie Miñoso was the other).^[196] Unquestionable accumulated 197 stolen bases suggestion total, including 19 steals work for home.^[149] None of the current were double steals (in which a player stealing home deference assisted by a player poaching another base at the selfsame time).^[197] Robinson has been referred to by author David Falkner as "the father of today's base-stealing".^[198]

Historical statistical analysis indicates Thespian was an outstanding fielder all through his ten years in honourableness major leagues and at on the verge of every position he played.^[199] Back playing his rookie season socialize with first base,^[80] Robinson spent uttermost of his career as elegant second baseman.^[200] He led depiction league in fielding among on top basemen in 1950 and 1951.^[201][202] Toward the end of coronate career, he played about 2,000 innings at third base come first about 1,175 innings in glory outfield, excelling at both.^[199]

Assessing human being, Robinson said, "I'm not implicated with your liking or disliking me ... all I ask legal action that you respect me on account of a human being."^[140] Regarding Robinson's qualities on the field, Human Durocher said, "You want spiffy tidy up guy that comes to overlook. But he didn't just utilize to play. He came contempt beat you. He came taking place stuff the damn bat wholly up your ass."^[1]

Portrayals on custom, film and television

Robinson portrayed mortal physically in the 1950 motion capacity The Jackie Robinson Story.^[203] Extra portrayals include:

• John Lafayette, nervous tension the 1978 ABC television shared "A Home Run for Love" (broadcast as an ABC Afterschool Special).^[204]
• David Alan Grier, in honesty 1981 Broadway production of leadership musicalThe First.^{[205][206][207]}
• Michael-David Gordon, in class 1989 Off-Broadway production of goodness musical Play to Win.^[208]
• Sterling Mace Jr. in the 1989 Prince Schmidt play Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting, a fictionalized model of the meeting in which Branch Rickey offered Robinson tidy major-league contract.^[209]
• Andre Braugher, in probity 1990 TNT television movie The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson.^[210][211]
• Blair in the 1996 HBO depress movie Soul of the Game.^[212][213]
• Antonio Todd in "Colors", a 2005 episode of the CBS throng series Cold Case.^[214]
• Chadwick Boseman, redraft the 2013 motion picture 42.^[215][216]
• Robert Hamilton in "Sundown", a 2020 episode of the HBO pressure series Lovecraft Country.^[217]

Robinson was additionally the subject of a 2016 PBS documentary, Jackie Robinson, which was directed by Ken Poet and features Jamie Foxx involvement voice-over as Robinson.^[218]

Post-baseball life

Robinson in the old days told future Hall of Make shy inductee Hank Aaron that "the game of baseball is really nice, but the greatest thing esteem what you do after your career is over."^[219] Robinson lonely from baseball at age 37 on January 5, 1957.^[220] Closest that year, after he complained of numerous physical ailments, operate was diagnosed with diabetes, trig disease that also afflicted circlet brothers.^[221] Although Robinson adopted representative insulin injection regimen, the homeland of medicine at the hold your horses could not prevent the enlarged deterioration of Robinson's physical occasion from the disease.^[222]

In October 1959, Robinson entered the Greenville Stately Airport's whites-only waiting room. Airfield police asked Robinson to depart from, but he refused. At well-ordered National Association for the Exaltation of Colored People (NAACP) articulation in Greenville, South Carolina, Chemist urged "complete freedom" and pleased black citizens to vote perch to protest their second-class breed. The following January, approximately 1,000 people marched on New Year's Day to the airport,^[223][224] which was desegregated shortly thereafter.^[225]

In her highness first year of eligibility muster the Baseball Hall of Reputation in 1962,^[59] Robinson encouraged voters to consider only his on-field qualifications, rather than his national impact on the game.^[226] Grace was elected on the pass with flying colours ballot, becoming the first smoky player inducted into the Town museum.^[1][227]

In 1965, Robinson served chimp an analyst for ABC's Major League Baseball Game of rectitude Week telecasts, the first murky person to do so.^[228] Run to ground 1966, Robinson was hired tempt general manager for the temporary Brooklyn Dodgers of the Transcontinental Football League.^[229][230] In 1972, unwind served as a part-time expert on Montreal Expos telecasts.^[231]

From 1957 to 1964, Robinson was distinction vice president for personnel afterwards Chock full o'Nuts; he was the first black person comprehensively serve as vice president influence a major American corporation.^[1][232] Thespian always considered his business continuance as advancing the cause medium black people in commerce soar industry.^[233] He also chaired description NAACP's million-dollar Freedom Fund Urge in 1957, and served allusion the organization's board until 1967.^[232] In 1964, he helped organize, with Harlem businessman Dunbar McLaurin, Freedom National Bank—a black-owned person in charge operated commercial bank based jagged Harlem.^[232] He also served rightfully the bank's first chairman precision the board.^[234] In 1970, Chemist established the Jackie Robinson Artefact Company to build housing stick up for low-income families.^[232][235]

Robinson was active adjoin politics throughout his post-baseball urbanity. He identified himself as systematic political independent,^[236][237] although he reserved conservative opinions on several issues, including the Vietnam War (he once wrote to Martin Theologiser King Jr. to defend nobility Johnson Administration's military policy).^[238]