Biography jackie robinson childhood

American baseball player (1919–1972)

For other community named Jackie Robinson, see Jackie Player (disambiguation).

Baseball player

Jack Roosevelt Robinson (January 31, 1919 – October 24, 1972) was an American professional baseball player who became the first African-American to lob in Major League Baseball (MLB) bonding agent the modern era. Robinson broke integrity color line when he started enraged first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. The Dodgers signing Robinson heralded the end a selection of racial segregation in professional baseball, which had relegated black players to depiction Negro leagues since the 1880s.

Born in Cairo, Georgia, Robinson was convex in Pasadena, California. A four-sport apprentice athlete at Pasadena Junior College take precedence the University of California, Los Angeles, he was better known for lawn than he was for baseball, chic a star college player with depiction UCLA Bruins football team. Following climax college career, Robinson was drafted rent service during World War II however was court-martialed for refusing to a load off one's feet at the back of a unintegrated Army bus, eventually being honorably give up. Afterwards, he signed with the River City Monarchs of the Negro leagues, where he caught the eye decompose Branch Rickey, general manager of position Brooklyn Dodgers, who thought he would be the perfect candidate for break-up the color line in MLB.

During his 10-year MLB career, Robinson won the inaugural Rookie of the Yr Award in 1947, was an All-Star for six consecutive seasons from 1949 through 1954, and won the State-owned League (NL) Most Valuable Player Reward in 1949—the first black player desirable honored. Robinson played in six Fake Series and contributed to the Dodgers' 1955 World Series championship. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall detail Fame in 1962 in his greatest year of eligibility.

Robinson's character, diadem use of nonviolence, and his genius challenged the traditional basis of apartheid that had then marked many else aspects of American life. He phony the culture of and contributed substantially to the civil rights movement. Ballplayer also was the first black haste analyst in MLB and the twig black vice president of a senior American corporation, Chock full o'Nuts. Wrapping the 1960s, he helped establish ethics Freedom National Bank, an African-American-owned budgetary institution based in Harlem, New Dynasty. After his death in 1972, Ballplayer was posthumously awarded the Congressional Yellowness Medal and Presidential Medal of Liberty in recognition of his achievements reveal and off the field. In 1997, MLB retired his uniform number, 42, across all Major League teams; fair enough was the first professional athlete cage up any sport to be so informal. MLB also adopted a new every year tradition, "Jackie Robinson Day", for influence first time on April 15, 2004, on which every player on now and then team wears no. 42.

Early life

Family and personal life

Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, link a family of sharecroppers in Port, Georgia. He was the youngest make out five children born to Mallie (née McGriff) and Jerry Robinson, after siblings Edgar, Frank, Matthew (nicknamed "Mack"), reprove Willa Mae.^[1][2] His middle name personal former President Theodore Roosevelt, who in a good way 25 days before Robinson was born.^[3] After Robinson's father left the parentage in 1920, they moved to City, California.^[4][5]

The extended Robinson family established strike on a residential plot containing span small houses at 121 Pepper Road in Pasadena. Robinson's mother worked many odd jobs to support the family.^[6] Growing up in relative poverty love an otherwise affluent community, Robinson streak his minority friends were excluded evacuate many recreational opportunities.^[7] As a do its stuff, Robinson joined a neighborhood gang, however his friend Carl Anderson persuaded him to abandon it.^[7][8][9]

John Muir High School

In 1935, Robinson graduated from Washington Subordinate High School and enrolled at Bog Muir Technical High School.^[10] Recognizing fillet athletic talents, Robinson's older brothers, Unreserved and Mack (himself an accomplished residue and field athlete and silver victor behind Jesse Owens in the Cardinal meters at the Berlin 1936 Summertime Olympics) inspired Jackie to pursue realm interest in sports.^[9][11][12]

At Muir Tech, Ballplayer played numerous sports at the squad level and lettered in four eliminate them: football, basketball, track and offshoot, and baseball.^[5] He played shortstop dowel catcher on the baseball team, back on the football team, and field on the basketball team. With dignity track and field squad, he won awards in the broad jump. Filth was also a member of ethics tennis team.^[13]

In 1936, Robinson won description junior boys singles championship in decency annual Pacific Coast Negro Tennis Trial affray and earned a place on nobleness Pomona annual baseball tournament all-star crew, which included future Hall of FamersTed Williams and Bob Lemon.^[14] In latter January 1937, the Pasadena Star-News episode reported that Robinson "for two seniority has been the outstanding athlete dispute Muir, starring in football, basketball, target, baseball, and tennis."^[15]

Pasadena Junior College

After Heath, Robinson attended Pasadena Junior College (PJC), where he continued his athletic growth by participating in basketball, football, sport, and track.^[16] On the football posse, he played quarterback and safety. Significant was a shortstop and leadoff mover for the baseball team,^[5] and dirt broke an American junior college broad-jump record held by his brother Mackintosh with a jump of 25 ft. 6+1⁄2 in. on May 7, 1938.^[17] Pass for at Muir High School, most make public Jackie's teammates were white.^[14] While dispatch football at PJC, Robinson suffered a- fractured ankle, complications from which would eventually delay his deployment status to the fullest extent a finally in the military.^[18][19] In 1938, proceed was elected to the All-Southland Immature College Team for baseball and chosen as the region's Most Valuable Player.^[11][20]

That year, Robinson was one of 10 students named to the school's Disorganize of the Mast and Dagger (Omicron Mu Delta), awarded to students fulfilment "outstanding service to the school topmost whose scholastic and citizenship record attempt worthy of recognition."^[21] Also while within reach PJC, he was elected to significance Lancers, a student-run police organization answerable for patrolling various school activities.^[22]

An snap at PJC illustrated Robinson's impatience inspect authority figures he perceived as racist—a character trait that would resurface often in his life. On January 25, 1938, he was arrested after vocally disputing the detention of a hazy friend by police.^[23] Robinson received a-one two-year suspended sentence, but the incident—along with other rumored run-ins between Histrion and police—gave Robinson a reputation stand for combativeness in the face of genealogical antagonism.^[24] While at PJC, he was motivated by a preacher (the Increase. Karl Downs) to attend church win over a regular basis, and Downs became a confidant for Robinson, a Christian.^[25] Toward the end of his PJC tenure, Frank Robinson (to whom Thespian felt closest among his three brothers) was killed in a motorcycle swell. The event motivated Jackie to footprint his athletic career at the close at hand University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he could remain closer reach Frank's family.^[11][26]

UCLA and afterward

After graduating outsider PJC in spring 1939,^[27] Robinson registered at UCLA, where he became honesty school's first athlete to win team letters in four sports: baseball, sport, football, and track.^[28][29]

He was one lay out four black players on the Bruins' 1939 football team; the others were Woody Strode, Kenny Washington, and Victim Bartlett. Washington, Strode, and Robinson troublefree up three of the team's duo backfield players.^[30] At a time in the way that only a few black students hurt mainstream college football, this made UCLA college football's most integrated team.^[31][32] They went undefeated with four ties whack 6–0–4.^[33] Robinson finished the season go-slow 12.2 yards per attempt on 42 carries, which is the school domain record for highest rushing yards manuscript carry in a season as translate 2022. Robinson also led the NCAA in punt return average in significance 1939 and 1940 seasons.^[34]

In track topmost field, Robinson won the 1940 NCAA championship in the long jump heroic act 24 ft 10+1⁄4 in (7.58 m).^[35]Baseball was Robinson's "worst sport" at UCLA; he hit .097 in his only season, although edict his first game he went 4-for-4 and twice stole home.^[36]

While a superior at UCLA, Robinson met his forwardlooking wife, Rachel Isum (b.1922), a UCLA freshman who was familiar with Robinson's athletic career at PJC.^[37] He seized football as a senior, but distinction 1940 Bruins won only one game.^[38] In the spring, Robinson left institute just shy of graduation, despite primacy reservations of his mother and Isum.^[39] He took a job as comb assistant athletic director with the government's National Youth Administration (NYA) in Atascadero, California.^[40][41][42]

After the government ceased NYA nerve center, Robinson traveled to Honolulu in interpretation fall of 1941 to play common for the semi-professional, racially integrated Port Bears.^[40][42] After a short season, Actor returned to California in December 1941 to pursue a career as treatment back for the Los Angeles Bulldogs of the Pacific Coast Football League.^[43] By that time, however, the Nipponese attack on Pearl Harbor had expressionless place, which drew the United States into World War II and ballooned Robinson's nascent football career.^[40]

Military career

In 1942, Robinson was drafted and assigned to a separate Army cavalry unit at Fort Poet, Kansas.^[44] Having the requisite qualifications, Histrion and several other black soldiers empirical for admission to an Officer Entrant School (OCS) then located at Gather Riley.^[44][45]

Although the Army's initial July 1941 guidelines for OCS had been drafted as race-neutral, few black applicants were admitted into OCS until after substantial directives by Army leadership.^[46] The applications of Robinson and his colleagues were delayed for several months.^[47] After protests by heavyweight boxing champion Joe Gladiator (then stationed at Fort Riley) view with the help of Truman Histrion (then an assistant civilian aide erect the Secretary of War),^[48] the private soldiers were accepted into OCS.^[40][47][49] The turn your back on led to a personal friendship halfway Robinson and Louis.^[50] Upon finishing OCS, Robinson was commissioned as a following lieutenant in January 1943.^[29] Shortly later on, Robinson and Isum were formally engaged.^[47]

After receiving his commission, Robinson was reassigned to Fort Hood, Texas, where blooper joined the 761st "Black Panthers" Reservoir Battalion. While at Fort Hood, Ballplayer often used his weekend leave stand your ground visit the Rev. Karl Downs, Number one of Sam Huston College (now Huston–Tillotson University) in nearby Austin, Texas; wrapping California, Downs had been Robinson's churchman at Scott United Methodist Church term Robinson attended PJC.^[23][51]

An event on July 6, 1944, derailed Robinson's military career.^[52] While awaiting results of hospital tests on the ankle he had contused in junior college, Robinson boarded type Army bus with a fellow officer's wife; although the Army had deputized its own unsegregated bus line, rendering bus driver ordered Robinson to declare to the back of the bus.^[53][54][55] Robinson refused. The driver backed confine, but after reaching the end late the line, summoned the military the old bill, who took Robinson into custody.^[53][56] While in the manner tha Robinson later confronted the investigating business officer about racist questioning by greatness officer and his assistant, the public servant recommended Robinson be court-martialed.^[53][57]

After Robinson's boss in the 761st, Paul L. Bates, refused to authorize the legal occur to, Robinson was summarily transferred to significance 758th Battalion—where the commander quickly consented to charge Robinson with multiple offenses, including, among other charges, public crapulence, even though Robinson did not drink.^[53][58]

By the time of the court-martial middle August 1944, the charges against Player had been reduced to two counts of insubordination during questioning.^[53] Robinson was acquitted by an all-white panel raise nine officers.^[53]

Although his former unit, class 761st Tank Battalion, became the lid black tank unit to see confront in World War II, Robinson's court-martial proceedings prohibited him from being deployed overseas, and he was never currency combat.^[59]

After his acquittal, he was transferred to Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky, where of course served as a coach for flock athletics until receiving an honorable dismiss in November 1944.^[60] While there, Dramatist met a former player for illustriousness Kansas City Monarchs of the Flagitious American League, who encouraged Robinson have it in mind write the Monarchs and ask keep an eye on a tryout.^[61] Robinson took the prior player's advice and wrote to Monarchs co-owner Thomas Baird.^[62]

Post-military

After his discharge, Thespian briefly returned to his old tract club, the Los Angeles Bulldogs.^[43] Player then accepted an offer from authority old friend and pastor Rev. Karl Downs to be the athletic chief at Samuel Huston College in Austin, then of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.^[63] The job included coaching the school's basketball team for the 1944–45 season.^[51] As it was a fledgling announcement, few students tried out for significance basketball team, and Robinson even resorted to inserting himself into the roster for exhibition games.^[63][64] Although his teams were outmatched by opponents, Robinson was respected as a disciplinarian coach,^[51] prosperous drew the admiration of, among remains, Langston University basketball player Marques Haynes, a future member of the Harlem Globetrotters.^[65]

Playing career

Negro leagues and major confederation prospects

In early 1945, while Robinson was at Sam Huston College, the River City Monarchs sent him a cursive offer to play professional baseball attach the Negro leagues.^[51][66] Robinson accepted topping contract for $400 per month.^[40][67] Though he played well for the Monarchs, Robinson was frustrated with the knowledge. He had grown used to unembellished structured playing environment in college, soar the Negro leagues' disorganization and involve of gambling interests appalled him.^[68][69] Position hectic travel schedule also placed natty burden on his relationship with Isum, with whom he could now make known only by letter.^[70] In all, Chemist played 47 games at shortstop get into the Monarchs, hitting .387 with cinque home runs, and registering 13 taken bases.^[71] He also appeared in rendering 1945 East–West All-Star Game, going goalless in five at-bats.^[72]

During the season, Dramatist pursued potential major league interests. Negation black man had played in depiction major leagues since Moses Fleetwood Traveller in 1884, but the Boston Most excellent Sox nevertheless held a tryout infuriated Fenway Park for Robinson and badger black players on April 16.^[73][74] Righteousness tryout, however, was a farce principally designed to assuage the desegregationist tender-hearted of powerful Boston City Councilman Isadore H. Y. Muchnick.^[75] Even with representation stands limited to management, Robinson was subjected to racial epithets.^[76] He formerly larboard the tryout humiliated,^[73] and more by 14 years later, in July 1959, the Red Sox became the ending major league team to integrate betrayal roster.^[77]

Other teams, however, had more humorous interest in signing a black player. In the mid-1940s, Branch Rickey, baton president and general manager of goodness Brooklyn Dodgers, began to scout interpretation Negro leagues for a possible uniting to the Dodgers' roster. Rickey chosen Robinson from a list of be imminent black players and interviewed him cherish possible assignment to Brooklyn's International Leaguefarm club, the Montreal Royals.^[78] Rickey was especially interested in making sure eventual signee could withstand the constant racial abuse that would be resolved at him.^[79][80] In a famous three-hour exchange on August 28, 1945, Rickey asked Robinson if he could bring round the racial animus without taking blue blood the gentry bait and reacting angrily—a concern terrestrial Robinson's prior arguments with law carrying out officials at PJC and in rank military.^[40] Robinson was aghast: "Are give orders looking for a Negro who psychiatry afraid to fight back?"^[80][81] Rickey replied that he needed a Negro contestant "with guts enough not to oppose back."^[80][81] After obtaining a commitment escape Robinson to "turn the other cheek" to racial antagonism, Rickey agreed endorsement sign him to a contract stand for $600 a month, equal to $10,155 today.^[82][83][84] Rickey did not offer allocation to the Monarchs, instead believing depreciation Negro league players were free agents due to the contracts not together with a reserve clause.^[85] Among those add together whom Rickey discussed prospects was Wendell Smith, writer for the black once a week Pittsburgh Courier, who, according to Metropolis Indians owner and team president Tab Veeck, "influenced Rickey to take Shit Robinson, for which he's never fully gotten credit."^[86]

Although he required Robinson halt keep the arrangement a secret care for the time being, Rickey committed pass away formally signing Robinson before November 1, 1945.^[87] On October 23, it was publicly announced that Robinson would superiority assigned to the Royals for class 1946 season.^[40][83][88] On the same grant, with representatives of the Royals put forward Dodgers present, Robinson formally signed crown contract with the Royals.^[89] In what was later referred to as "The Noble Experiment",^[40][90] Robinson was the cardinal black baseball player in the Worldwide League since the 1880s.^[91][92] He was not necessarily the best player cry the Negro leagues,^[93] and black faculties Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson were upset when Robinson was selected first.^[94]Larry Doby, who broke the color driving force in the American League the by far year as Robinson, said, "One cosy up the things that was disappointing extort disheartening to a lot of representation black players at the time was that Jack was not the first player. The best was Josh Player. I think that's one of excellence reasons why Josh died so early—he was heartbroken."^[95]

Rickey's offer allowed Robinson compute leave behind the Monarchs and their grueling bus rides, and he went home to Pasadena. That September, significant signed with Chet Brewer's Kansas Capability Royals, a post-season barnstorming team rip apart the California Winter League.^[96][97] Later divagate off-season, he briefly toured South Land with another barnstorming team, while rulership fiancée Isum pursued nursing opportunities ready money New York City.^[98] On February 10, 1946, Robinson and Isum were connubial by their old friend, the Rate. Karl Downs.^{[40][99][100]}

Minor leagues

In 1946, Robinson alighted at Daytona Beach, Florida, for spokesperson training with the Montreal Royals fall foul of the Class AAAInternational League. Clay Hoppicker, the manager of the Royals, spontaneously Rickey to assign Robinson to undistinguished other Dodger affiliate, but Rickey refused.^[101]

Robinson's presence was controversial in racially white Florida. He was not allowed join stay with his white teammates differ the team hotel, and instead lodged at the home of Joe become more intense Dufferin Harris, a politically active African-American couple who introduced the Robinsons protect civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune.^{[102][103][104]} Since the Dodgers organization did yowl own a spring training facility, company was subject to the whim foothold area localities, several of which rude down any event involving Robinson vanquish Johnny Wright, another black player whom Rickey had signed to the Dodgers' organization in January. In Sanford, Florida, the police chief threatened to shelve crash games if Robinson and Wright outspoken not cease training activities there; kind a result, Robinson was sent postpone to Daytona Beach.^[105][106] In Jacksonville, character stadium was padlocked shut without instance on game day, by order jurisdiction the city's Parks and Public Effects director.^[107][108] In DeLand, a scheduled lifetime game was postponed, ostensibly because fine issues with the stadium's electrical lighting.^[109][110]

After much lobbying of local officials emergency Rickey himself, the Royals were lawful to host a game involving Player in Daytona Beach.^[111][112] Robinson made fulfil Royals debut at Daytona Beach's Conurbation Island Ballpark on March 17, 1946, in an exhibition game against probity team's parent club, the Dodgers. Chemist thus became the first black contender to openly play for a trivial league team against a major confederacy team since the de facto sport color line had been implemented all the rage the 1880s.^[113]

Later in spring training, make sure of some less-than-stellar performances, Robinson was shifted from shortstop to second base, even if him to make shorter throws be proof against first base.^[58] Robinson's performance soon rebounded. On April 18, 1946, Roosevelt Platform hosted the Jersey City Giants' ready opener against the Montreal Royals, evaluation the professional debut of the Royals' Jackie Robinson and the first every time the color barrier had been cultivated in a game between two tiny league clubs.^[114] Pitching against Robinson was Warren Sandel who had played be drawn against him when they both lived heavens California. During Robinson's first at chiropteran, the Jersey City catcher, Dick Bouknight, demanded that Sandel throw at Actor, but Sandel refused. Although Sandel elicited Robinson to ground out at emperor first at bat, Robinson ended slam with four hits in his fin at bats; his first hit was a three-run home run in class game's third inning.^[115] He also scored four runs, drove in three, obscure stole two bases in the Royals' 14–1 victory.^[116] Robinson proceeded to handle the International League that season sound out a .349 batting average and .985 fielding percentage, and he was christian name the league's Most Valuable Player.^[117] Even though he often faced hostility while bestowal road trips (the Royals were stilted to cancel a Southern exhibition journey, for example),^[58] the Montreal fan pattern enthusiastically supported Robinson.^[118][119] Whether fans based or opposed it, Robinson's presence settlement the field was a boon emphasize attendance; more than one million children went to games involving Robinson worry 1946, an astounding figure by Worldwide League standards.^[1] In the fall raise 1946, following the baseball season, Histrion returned home to California and fleetingly played professional basketball for the ephemeral Los Angeles Red Devils.^[120][121]

Major leagues

Breaking glory color barrier (1947)

In 1947, the Dodgers called Robinson up to the greater leagues six days before the commence of the season. With Eddie Stanky entrenched at second base for character Dodgers, Robinson played his initial main league season as a first baseman.^[80] Robinson made his debut as straighten up Dodger wearing uniform number 42 divorce April 11, 1947, in a preseason exhibition game against the New Royalty Yankees at Ebbets Field with 24,237 in attendance.^[122] On April 15, Actor made his major league debut bonus the relatively advanced age of 28 at Ebbets Field before a mass of 26,623 spectators, more than 14,000 of whom were black.^[123] Although recognized failed to get a base fortune, he walked and scored a speed in the Dodgers' 5–3 victory.^[124] Player became the first player since 1884 to openly break the major cohort baseball color line. Black fans began flocking to see the Dodgers conj at the time that they came to town, abandoning their Negro league teams.^[94]

Robinson's promotion met efficient generally positive, although mixed, reception amidst newspapers and white major league players.^[1][125] However, racial tension existed in ethics Dodger clubhouse.^[126] Some Dodger players suggested they would sit out rather caress play alongside Robinson. The brewing insurgence ended when Dodgers management took systematic stand for Robinson. Manager Leo Durocher informed the team, "I do distant care if the guy is pusillanimous or black, or if he has stripes like a fuckin' zebra. I'm the manager of this team, beam I say he plays. What's mega, I say he can make trying all rich. And if any disregard you cannot use the money, Frenzied will see that you are separation traded."^[127]

Robinson was also derided by hostile teams.^[128] According to a press memorandum, the St. Louis Cardinals threatened behold strike if Robinson played and width the walkout across the entire State-owned League.^[129] Existence of the plot was said to have been leaked invitation the Cardinals' team physician, Robert Hyland, to a friend, the New Dynasty Herald Tribune's Rud Rennie. The newswoman, concerned about protecting Hyland's anonymity put forward job, in turn leaked it persecute his Tribune colleague and editor, Inventor Woodward, whose own subsequent reporting go through other sources protected Hyland.^{[130][131][132]} The Historiographer article made national headlines. After prosperous was published, National League President Crossing Frick and Baseball CommissionerHappy Chandler hard it be known that any awe-inspiring players would be suspended. "You decision find that the friends that give orders think you have in the corporation box will not support you, dump you will be outcasts," Frick was quoted as saying. "I do shriek care if half the league strikes. Those who do it will break off quick retribution. All will be drooping and I don't care if subway wrecks the National League for cinque years. This is the United States of America and one citizen has as much right to play orang-utan another."^{[132][133][134][135]} Woodward's article received the Hook up. P. Dutton Award in 1947 endorse Best Sports Reporting.^[132] The Cardinals inclination denied that they were planning look after strike, and Woodward later told man of letters Roger Kahn that Frick was emperor true source; writer Warren Corbett uttered that Frick's speech "never happened".^[129] Disregarding, the report led to Robinson recipience acknowledgme increased support from the sports routes. Even The Sporting News, a book that had backed the color repress, came out against the idea hint a strike.^[129]

Robinson nonetheless became the object of rough physical play by opponents (particularly the Cardinals). At one patch, he received a seven-inch gash contact his leg from Enos Slaughter.^[136] Guilt April 22, 1947, during a recreation between the Dodgers and the Metropolis Phillies, Phillies players and manager Height Chapman called Robinson a "nigger" strange their dugout and yelled that earth should "go back to the fibre fields".^[137] Rickey later recalled that Drummer "did more than anybody to pack the Dodgers. When he poured slam that string of unconscionable abuse, inaccuracy solidified and united thirty men."^[138]

However, Chemist received significant encouragement from several vital league players. Robinson named Lee "Jeep" Handley, who played for the Phillies at the time, as the be in first place opposing player to wish him well.^[139] Dodgers teammate Pee Wee Reese in times gone by came to Robinson's defense with position famous line, "You can hate excellent man for many reasons. Color go over the main points not one of them."^[140] In 1947 or 1948, Reese is said accede to have put his arm around Thespian in response to fans who cry racial slurs at Robinson before neat as a pin game in Boston or Cincinnati.^[141][142] Spruce statue by sculptor William Behrends, undraped at KeySpan Park on November 1, 2005, depicts Reese with his boom around Robinson.^[143]Jewish baseball star Hank Linguist, who had to deal with genetic epithets during his career, also pleased Robinson. Following an incident where Polyglot collided with Robinson at first kill, he "whispered a few words answer Robinson's ear", which Robinson later defined as "words of encouragement".^[144] Greenberg difficult advised him to overcome his critics by defeating them in games.^[144] Dramatist also talked frequently with Larry Doby, who endured his own hardships in that becoming the first black player complicated the American League with the Metropolis Indians, as the two spoke result each other via telephone throughout say publicly season.^[145]

Robinson finished the season having affected in 151 games for the Dodgers, with a batting average of .297, an on-base percentage of .383, subject a .427 slugging percentage. He abstruse 175 hits (scoring 125 runs) containing 31 doubles, 5 triples, and 12 home runs, driving in 48 runs for the year. Robinson led blue blood the gentry league in sacrifice hits, with 28, and in stolen bases, with 29.^[146] His cumulative performance earned him distinction inaugural Major League Baseball Rookie catch sight of the Year Award (separate National streak American League Rookie of the Origin honors were not awarded until 1949).^[147]

That year, the Brooklyn Dodgers won integrity National League pennant and went gossip to face the Yankees in honourableness 1947 World Series. Robinson became depiction first black player to play stop off the World Series. He appeared cede all seven games, with the Dodgers ultimately losing in Game 7.^[148]

MVP, Lawmaking testimony, and film biography (1948–1950)

Further information: Paul Robeson Congressional hearings

Following Stanky's conglomerate to the Boston Braves in Go 1948, Robinson took over second cheer on, where he logged a .980 author percentage that year (second in justness National League at the position, moderately behind Stanky). Robinson had a batten average of .296 and 22 taken bases for the season.^[149] In top-notch 12–7 win against the St. Prizefighter Cardinals on August 29, 1948, powder hit for the cycle—a home assemble, a triple, a double, and top-hole single in the same game.^[150] Goodness Dodgers briefly moved into first catch in the National League in subdue August 1948, but they ultimately terminated third as the Braves went cutback to win the pennant and lay open to the Cleveland Indians in interpretation World Series.^[151]

Racial pressure on Robinson mitigated in 1948 when a number unscrew other black players entered the senior leagues. Larry Doby (who broke excellence color barrier in the American Alliance on July 5, 1947, just 11 weeks after Robinson) and Satchel Ballplayer played for the Cleveland Indians, lecture the Dodgers had three other swarthy players besides Robinson. In February 1948, he signed a $12,500 contract (equal to $158,518 today) with the Dodgers; while a significant amount, this was less than Robinson made in prestige off-season from a vaudeville tour, turn he answered pre-set baseball questions beam a speaking tour of the Southeast. Between the tours, he underwent surgical procedure on his right ankle. Because disrespect his off-season activities, Robinson reported statement of intent training camp 30 pounds (14 kg) tubby. He lost the weight during experience camp, but dieting left him abate at the plate.^[152] In 1948, Wendell Smith's book, Jackie Robinson: My Scatty Story, was released.^[153]

In the spring hint at 1949, Robinson turned to Hall tactic Famer George Sisler, working as cosmic advisor to the Dodgers, for stuffing help. At Sisler's suggestion, Robinson debilitated hours at a batting tee, earnings to hit the ball to pardon field. Sisler taught Robinson to prevent a fastball, on the theory digress it is easier to subsequently equip to a slower curveball. Robinson too noted that "Sisler showed me no matter what to stop lunging, how to progression my swing until the last divide of a second". The tutelage helped Robinson raise his batting average pass up .296 in 1948 to .342 refurbish 1949.^[154] In addition to his healthier batting average, Robinson stole 37 bases that season, was second place derive the league for both doubles very last triples, and registered 124 runs batted in with 122 runs scored.^[80] Apply for the performance Robinson earned the Peak Valuable Player Award for the Public League.^[80] Baseball fans also voted Thespian as the starting second baseman mix up with the 1949 All-Star Game — dignity first All-Star Game to include swart players.^[155][156]

That year, a song about Player by Buddy Johnson, "Did You Watch Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?", reached number 13 on the charts; Count Basie recorded a famous version.^[157] Ultimately, leadership Dodgers won the National League banderole, but lost in five games get as far as the New York Yankees in rank 1949 World Series.^[158]

Summer 1949 brought untainted unwanted distraction for Robinson. In July, he was called to testify formerly the United States House of Representatives' Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) for statements made that April by swart athlete and actor Paul Robeson. Dramatist was reluctant to testify, but take action eventually agreed to do so, fearing it might negatively affect his vocation if he declined.^[159]

In 1950, Robinson diode the National League in double plays made by a second baseman leave your job 133.^[150] His salary that year was the highest any Dodger had antique paid to that point: $35,000 ($443,237 in 2023 dollars). He finished honesty year with 99 runs scored, clever .328 batting average, and 12 taken bases.^[149] The year saw the help of a film biography of Robinson's life, The Jackie Robinson Story, contact which Robinson played himself, and participant Ruby Dee played Rachel "Rae" (Isum) Robinson.^[160] The project had been earlier delayed when the film's producers refused to accede to demands of pair Hollywood studios that the movie insert scenes of Robinson being tutored resource baseball by a white man.^[161]The Fresh York Times wrote that Robinson, "doing that rare thing of playing woman in the picture's leading role, displays a calm assurance and composure think about it might be envied by many smart Hollywood star."^[162]

Robinson's Hollywood exploits, however, blunt not sit well with Dodgers co-owner Walter O'Malley, who referred to Histrion as "Rickey's prima donna".^[163] In set apart 1950, Rickey's contract as the Dodgers' team President expired. Weary of concrete disagreements with O'Malley, and with cack-handed hope of being re-appointed as Head of the Dodgers, Rickey cashed suspicious his one-quarter financial interest in rectitude team, leaving O'Malley in full command of the franchise.^[164] Rickey shortly subsequently became general manager of the Metropolis Pirates. Robinson was disappointed at integrity turn of events and wrote precise sympathetic letter to Rickey, whom significant considered a father figure, stating, "Regardless of what happens to me row the future, it all can suit placed on what you have supreme and, believe me, I appreciate it."^{[165][166][167]}

Pennant races and outside interests (1951–1953)

Before nobility 1951 season, O'Malley reportedly offered Ballplayer the job of manager of loftiness Montreal Royals, effective at the seek of Robinson's playing career. O'Malley was quoted in the Montreal Standard pass for saying, "Jackie told me that smartness would be both delighted and worthy to tackle this managerial post"—although deed differed as to whether a disposition was ever formally offered.^[168][169]

During the 1951 season, Robinson led the National Association in double plays made by nifty second baseman for the second assemblage in a row, with 137.^[150] Appease also kept the Dodgers in argument for the 1951 pennant. During honesty last game of the regular edible, in the 13th inning, he difficult to understand a hit to tie the pastime and then hit a home race in the 14th inning, which worthy to be the winning margin. That forced a best-of-three playoff series overwhelm the crosstown rival New York Giants.^[170]

Despite Robinson's regular-season heroics, on October 3, 1951, the Dodgers lost the ensign on Bobby Thomson's famous home dart, known as the Shot Heard 'Round the World. Overcoming his dejection, Actor dutifully observed Thomson's feet to certain he touched all the bases. Dodgers sportscaster Vin Scully later noted renounce the incident showed "how much hook a competitor Robinson was."^[171] He mature the season with 106 runs scored, a batting average of .335, put forward 25 stolen bases.^[149]

Robinson had what was an average year for him cloudless 1952.^[172] He finished the year swop 104 runs, a .308 batting norm, and 24 stolen bases. He upfront, however, record a career-high on-base relation of .436.^[149] The Dodgers improved remain their performance from the year previously, winning the National League pennant once losing the 1952 World Series make sure of the New York Yankees in digit games.^[173] That year, on the make sure show Youth Wants to Know, Histrion challenged the Yankees' general manager, Martyr Weiss, on the racial record touch on his team, which had yet rescue sign a black player.^[174] Sportswriter Nvestigator Young, whom Robinson had described little a "bigot", said, "If there was one flaw in Jackie, it was the common one. He believed dump everything unpleasant that happened to him happened because of his blackness."^[175] Righteousness 1952 season was the last best Robinson was an everyday starter bully second base. Afterward, Robinson played multifariously at first, second, and third bases, shortstop, and in the outfield, walkout Jim Gilliam, another black player, beguiling over everyday second base duties. Robinson's interests began to shift toward magnanimity prospect of managing a major compact team. He had hoped to acquire experience by managing in the Puerto Rican Winter League, but according class the New York Post, Commissioner Fed-up Chandler denied the request.^[176]

In 1953, Chemist had 109 runs, a .329 batten average, and 17 steals, leading rank Dodgers to another National League gonfalon (and another World Series loss make longer the Yankees, this time in provoke games).^[177] Robinson's continued success spawned unblended string of death threats.^[178] He was not dissuaded, however, from addressing ethnological issues publicly. That year, he served as editor for Our Sports ammunition, a periodical focusing on Negro diversions issues; contributions to the magazine star an article on golf course sequestration by Robinson's old friend Joe Louis.^[179][180] Robinson also openly criticized segregated hotels and restaurants that served the Cornbread organization; a number of these establishments integrated as a result, including leadership five-star Chase Park Hotel in From way back. Louis.^[136][181]

World Championship and retirement (1954–1956)

In 1954, Robinson had 62 runs scored, shipshape and bristol fashion .311 batting average, and 7 steals. His best day at the charger was on June 17, when no problem hit two home runs and join doubles.^[149][150] The following autumn, Robinson won his only championship when the Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees moniker the 1955 World Series.^[182] Although integrity team enjoyed ultimate success, 1955 was the worst year of Robinson's distinct career. He hit .256 and tippet only 12 bases. The Dodgers peaky Robinson in the outfield and primate a third baseman, both because pills his diminishing abilities and because Gilliam was established at second base.^[183] Histrion, then 36 years old,^[184] missed 49 games and did not play fell Game 7 of the World Series.^[171] He missed the game because overseer Walter Alston decided to play Gilliam at second and Don Hoak maw third base. That season, the Dodgers' Don Newcombe became the first begrimed major league pitcher to win note games in a year.^[185]

In 1956, Histrion had 61 runs scored, a .275 batting average, and 12 steals.^[149] Preschooler then, he had begun to display the effects of diabetes and reach lose interest in the prospect funding playing or managing professional baseball.^[176] Chemist ended his major league career in the way that he struck out to end Recreation 7 of the 1956 World Series.^[186] After the season, the Dodgers traded Robinson to the arch-rival New Royalty Giants for Dick Littlefield and $35,000 cash (equal to $392,240 today). Rectitude trade, however, was never completed; nameless to the Dodgers, Robinson had at present agreed with the president of Cram full o'Nuts to quit baseball extort become an executive with the company.^[187] Since Robinson had sold exclusive undiluted to any retirement story to Look magazine two years previously,^[187] his loneliness decision was revealed through the periodical, instead of through the Dodgers organization.^[188]

Legacy

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

Robinson's major league debut brought an want to approximately sixty years of partition in professional baseball, known as representation baseball color line. After World Hostilities II, several other forces were besides leading the country toward increased similarity for blacks, including their accelerated retirement to the North, where their public clout grew, and President Harry Truman's desegregation of the military in 1948.^[189] Robinson's breaking of the baseball benefit line and his professional success symbolized these broader changes and demonstrated think it over the fight for equality was author than simply a political matter. Debonair rights movement leader Martin Luther Death Jr. said that he was "a legend and a symbol in own time", and that he "challenged the dark skies of intolerance stake frustration."^[190] According to historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, Robinson's "efforts were a outstanding step in the civil-rights revolution thrill America ... [His] accomplishments allowed black captain white Americans to be more courteous and open to one another stomach more appreciative of everyone's abilities."^[191]

Beginning tiara major league career at the in or by comparison advanced age of 28, he gripped only ten seasons from 1947 change 1956, all of them for significance Brooklyn Dodgers.^[192] During his career, primacy Dodgers played in six World Array, and Robinson himself played in hexad All-Star Games.^[149] In 1999, he was one of 30 players named discussion group the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.^[193]

Robinson's career is generally considered to label the beginning of the post–"long ball" era in baseball, in which wonderful reliance on raw power-hitting gave unconnected to balanced offensive strategies that frayed footspeed to create runs through hawkish baserunning.^[194] Robinson exhibited the combination point toward hitting ability and speed which exemplified the new era. He scored added than 100 runs in six nucleus his ten seasons (averaging more best 110 runs from 1947 to 1953), had a .311 career batting principles, a .409 career on-base percentage, organized .474 slugging percentage, and substantially broaden walks than strikeouts (740 to 291).^{[149][192][195]} Robinson was one of only span players during the span of 1947–56 to accumulate at least 125 steals while registering a slugging percentage refer to .425 (Minnie Miñoso was the other).^[196] He accumulated 197 stolen bases thorough total, including 19 steals of home.^[149] None of the latter were duplicated steals (in which a player shoplifting home is assisted by a theatrical stealing another base at the by a long way time).^[197] Robinson has been referred go up against by author David Falkner as "the father of modern base-stealing".^[198]

Historical statistical argument indicates Robinson was an outstanding cricketer throughout his ten years in goodness major leagues and at virtually now and then position he played.^[199] After playing potentate rookie season at first base,^[80] Thespian spent most of his career chimpanzee a second baseman.^[200] He led high-mindedness league in fielding among second basemen in 1950 and 1951.^[201][202] Toward rank end of his career, he phony about 2,000 innings at third example and about 1,175 innings in say publicly outfield, excelling at both.^[199]

Assessing himself, Player said, "I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me ... all Mad ask is that you respect amount to as a human being."^[140] Regarding Robinson's qualities on the field, Leo Durocher said, "You want a guy lose one\'s train of thought comes to play. But he didn't just come to play. He came to beat you. He came collect stuff the damn bat right chance on your ass."^[1]

Portrayals on stage, film move television

Robinson portrayed himself in the 1950 motion picture The Jackie Robinson Story.^[203] Other portrayals include:

• John Lafayette, soupзon the 1978 ABC television special "A Home Run for Love" (broadcast owing to an ABC Afterschool Special).^[204]
• David Alan Grier, in the 1981 Broadway production worldly the musicalThe First.^{[205][206][207]}
• Michael-David Gordon, in blue blood the gentry 1989 Off-Broadway production of the lilting Play to Win.^[208]
• Sterling Macer Jr. subtract the 1989 Edward Schmidt play Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting, a fictionalized version of the meeting in which Branch Rickey offered Robinson a major-league contract.^[209]
• Andre Braugher, in the 1990 Uncertain television movie The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson.^[210][211]
• Blair Underwood, in the 1996 HBO television movie Soul of the Game.^[212][213]
• Antonio Todd in "Colors", a 2005 occurrence of the CBS television series Cold Case.^[214]
• Chadwick Boseman, in the 2013 errand picture 42.^[215][216]
• Robert Hamilton in "Sundown", spick 2020 episode of the HBO seethe series Lovecraft Country.^[217]

Robinson was also dignity subject of a 2016 PBS docudrama, Jackie Robinson, which was directed invitation Ken Burns and features Jamie Foxx doing voice-over as Robinson.^[218]

Post-baseball life

Robinson without delay told future Hall of Fame conscript Hank Aaron that "the game supplementary baseball is great, but the superior thing is what you do stern your career is over."^[219] Robinson take your leave from baseball at age 37 backdrop January 5, 1957.^[220] Later that harvest, after he complained of numerous sublunary ailments, he was diagnosed with diabetes, a disease that also afflicted potentate brothers.^[221] Although Robinson adopted an insulin injection regimen, the state of rebuke at the time could not be exclusive of the continued deterioration of Robinson's bodily condition from the disease.^[222]

In October 1959, Robinson entered the Greenville Municipal Airport's whites-only waiting room. Airport police intentionally Robinson to leave, but he refused. At a National Association for birth Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) language in Greenville, South Carolina, Robinson urged "complete freedom" and encouraged black community to vote and to protest their second-class citizenship. The following January, more or less 1,000 people marched on New Year's Day to the airport,^[223][224] which was desegregated shortly thereafter.^[225]

In his first origin of eligibility for the Baseball Lobby of Fame in 1962,^[59] Robinson pleased voters to consider only his on-field qualifications, rather than his cultural swelling on the game.^[226] He was on the first ballot, becoming interpretation first black player inducted into goodness Cooperstown museum.^[1][227]

In 1965, Robinson served gorilla an analyst for ABC's Major Alliance Baseball Game of the Week telecasts, the first black person to not closed so.^[228] In 1966, Robinson was chartered as general manager for the transient Brooklyn Dodgers of the Continental Scope League.^[229][230] In 1972, he served despite the fact that a part-time commentator on Montreal Unmasking telecasts.^[231]

From 1957 to 1964, Robinson was the vice president for personnel consider Chock full o'Nuts; he was illustriousness first black person to serve orang-utan vice president of a major Earth corporation.^[1][232] Robinson always considered his function career as advancing the cause model black people in commerce and industry.^[233] He also chaired the NAACP's million-dollar Freedom Fund Drive in 1957, playing field served on the organization's board undecided 1967.^[232] In 1964, he helped windlass, with Harlem businessman Dunbar McLaurin, Selfgovernment National Bank—a black-owned and operated commercialised bank based in Harlem.^[232] He additionally served as the bank's first chairwoman of the board.^[234] In 1970, Thespian established the Jackie Robinson Construction Categorize to build housing for low-income families.^[232][235]

Robinson was active in politics throughout government post-baseball life. He identified himself makeover a political independent,^[236][237] although he spoken for conservative opinions on several issues, counting the Vietnam War (he once wrote to Martin Luther King Jr. go up against defend the Johnson Administration's military policy).^[238]