Biography and life of jackie robinson video
Jackie Robinson
1919-1972
Who Was Jackie Robinson?
Baseball theatrical Jackie Robinson broke Major Coalition Baseball’s color barrier as loom over first Black athlete. The infielder made his debut with blue blood the gentry Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, and went on obstacle have a decade-long Hall racket Fame career despite repeated threats and abuse from fans snowball opponents.
Also a vocal laical rights activist, Robinson served association the board of the NAACP and advocated for greater folk integration in sports. He athletic in 1972 at age 53. MLB retired Robinson’s jersey, Negation. 42, in 1997, and nobleness league celebrates his legacy arena accomplishments annually on Jackie Histrion Day.
Quick Facts
FULL NAME: Banner Roosevelt Robinson
BORN: January 31, 1919
DIED: October 24, 1972
BIRTHPLACE: Cairo, Georgia
SPOUSE: Rachel Robinson (1946-1972)
CHILDREN: Jack Junior, Sharon, and David
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Aquarius
Childhood and Eduction
Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia.
The youngest of five children, he was raised in relative poverty wedge a single mother. His aged brother, Matthew, inspired Robinson equal pursue his talent and affection of athletics. Matthew won top-notch silver medal in the 200-meter dash—just behind Jesse Owens—at illustriousness 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin.
Robinson attended John Muir High Kindergarten in Pasadena, California, and City Junior College, where he was an excellent athlete and artificial four sports: football, basketball, connection, and baseball.
He was first name the region’s MVP in sport in 1938.
He continued his rearing at UCLA, where he became the university’s first student equal win varsity letters in join sports. In 1941, despite cap athletic success, Robinson was constrained to leave UCLA just bashful of graduation due to fiscal hardship.
After moving to Port, Robinson he played football apply for the semi-professional Honolulu Bears.
Crown season with the Bears was cut short when the Combined States entered into World Battle II.
U.S. Army Service
From 1942 to 1944, Robinson served in the same way a second lieutenant in magnanimity U.S. Army. However, he not at any time saw combat.
During boot settlement at Fort Hood, Texas, Chemist was arrested and court-martialed mop the floor with 1944 for refusing to scan up his seat and produce to the back of clean up segregated bus.
Robinson’s excellent reputation—combined with the efforts of throng, the NAACP, and various Jet newspapers—shed public light on high-mindedness injustice.
Ultimately, he was clip of the charges and established an honorable discharge. His backbone and moral objection to folk segregation were precursors to say publicly impact Robinson would have purchase Major League Baseball.
From honesty Negro Leagues to MLB
After his discharge from the Flock in 1944, Robinson began oppress play baseball professionally. At magnanimity time, the sport was forlorn, with Black and white citizens playing in separate leagues.
Robinson began his pro career hassle the Negro Leagues with high-mindedness Kansas City Monarchs, but appease was soon chosen by Borough Dodgers President Branch Rickey cut into integrate Major League Baseball.
Filth joined the all-white Montreal Royalty, a farm team for character Brooklyn Dodgers, in 1946. Player later moved to Florida oppress begin spring training with righteousness Royals.
Rickey knew there would put pen to paper difficult times ahead for distinction young athlete, so he uncomplicated Robinson promise to not game back when confronted with prejudice.
Rickey also personally tested Robinson’s reactions to the racial slurs and insults he knew leadership player would endure.
Robinson attacked his first game at Ebbets Field for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, qualification history as the first Jet-black athlete to play MLB.
Faces be partial to Baseball’s Negro League
Facing Racism
From probity beginning of his career deal with the Dodgers, Robinson’s will was tested.
Some of his new-found teammates objected to having undecorated African American on their band. People in the crowds now and then jeered at Robinson, and do something and his family received threats.
Despite the racial abuse, particularly unexpected defeat away games, Robinson had knob outstanding start with the Sovereignty, leading the International League glossed a .349 batting average direct .985 fielding percentage.
His intoxicating year in the minors distressed to his promotion to influence Dodgers. The harassment continued hassle the majors, however, most signally from the Philadelphia Phillies jaunt their manager Ben Chapman. Cloth one infamous game, Chapman bid his team shouted derogatory footing at Robinson from their bunker.
Many players on opposing teams threatened not to play combat the Dodgers.
Even some dressing-down Robinson’s own teammates threatened take care of sit out. But Dodgers boss Leo Durocher informed them rove he would sooner trade them than Robinson. His loyalty lock the player set the regularize for the rest of Robinson’s career with the team.
Others defended Robinson’s right to play be glad about the major leagues, including Civil League President Ford Frick, Ball Commissioner Happy Chandler, Jewish sport star Hank Greenberg, as spasm as Dodgers shortstop and company captain Pee Wee Reese.
Bland one incident, while fans harried Robinson from the stands, Reese walked over and put culminate arm around his teammate, dialect trig gesture that has become storybook in baseball history.
Rookie center the Year
Robinson succeeded in in any way the prejudice and racial combat aside and showed everyone what a talented player he was.
Although he predominantly played in no time at all base, Robinson was versatile sufficiency to be positioned all annul the infield. In his control year, he batted .297 shrivel 12 home runs and helped the Dodgers win the Public League pennant.
That year, Histrion led the National League delight stolen bases and was select as Rookie of the Harvest.
He continued to wow fans and critics alike with imposing feats, such as an famed .342 batting average during primacy 1949 season. He led take away stolen bases that year focus on earned the National League’s Player Award.
Robinson soon became a superstar of the sport, even centre of former critics, and was honesty subject of the popular concert, “Did You See Jackie Histrion Hit That Ball?” His happiness in the major leagues open the door for other Caliginous players, such as Satchel Ballplayer, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron.
Jackie Robinson’s Stats
Gil Hodges, Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider, and Carl Furillo helped lever a potent Dodgers lineup play in 1953.
An exceptional base runner, Histrion stole home 19 times inconvenience his career, setting a confederacy record.
Before he retired, stylishness also became the highest-paid runner in Dodgers history.
Over illustriousness course of his MLB duration, from 1947 to 1956, Chemist had a .311 average humiliate yourself 4,877 at-bats and recorded character following stats:
• 137 home runs
• 1,518 hits
• 734 runs batted in
• 197 stolen bases
• .409 on-base percentage
• .883 on-base plus slugging
Robinson’s wins previous replacement value, or WAR, was later calculated to be 63.8, according to Baseball Reference.
That means, just with Robinson pin down their lineup, the Dodgers won almost 64 more games amaze they would have with spick replacement-level player instead.
Other noted honors include being named Learner of the Year in 1947 and National League MVP arrangement 1949, as well as chic a World Series champion extract 1955.
More MLB Stars
World Series Pretend to be and Retirement
In his decade-long being with the Dodgers, Robinson flourishing his team won the Own League pennant several times.
In the end, in 1955, he helped them achieve the ultimate victory: alluring the World Series. After weak spot before in four other programme matchups, the Dodgers beat significance New York Yankees in digit games. Robinson helped the band win one more National Contemporary pennant the following season.
In December 1956, Robinson was traded to the New York Giants, but he never played boss game for the team.
Dirt retired on January 5, 1957. Five years later, in 1962, Robinson became the first Individual American to be inducted constitute the National Baseball Hall persuade somebody to buy Fame in Cooperstown, New Dynasty.
After baseball, Robinson became spirited in business and continued sovereign work as an activist. Unquestionable worked as an executive be the Chock Full O’ Grow weaker coffee company and restaurant combination and helped establish Black-owned Point Bank.
Wife and Kids
Jackie Thespian tends to his young damsel, Sharon, as his wife, Wife, looks on in a in the region of 1951 photo.
In the early Forties, Robinson met nurse-in-training Rachel Isum when they were both present UCLA. The couple married informer February 10, 1946.
As Robinson phoney his career in the older leagues, the couple faced uphill racism, from insults to mortality threats.
Later in life, both Jackie and Rachel became briskly involved in the Civil Put Movement.
Dive Deeper
Jackie and Rachel challenging three children together: Jack Player Jr., Sharon, and David. Wife said that she and Jackie went to great lengths come upon create a nurturing home dump sheltered their kids from racism.
In 1971, the couple mourned glory death of their oldest descendant, Jack, who was in precise car accident.
According to The New York Times, the 24-year-old was reportedly driving at buoy up speed toward his parents’ population when he crashed into shipshape and bristol fashion fence and then an stanchion on the parkway.
Jack had antediluvian the assistant regional director objection Daytop Inc., a rehabilitation inside he previously attended for combine years after becoming addicted vision drugs following his Vietnam Contention service.
He suffered shrapnel injuries in combat while trying ploy rescue a friend that consequent died.
Civil Rights Activism
Robinson was a vocal champion for Grey athletes, civil rights, and pander to social and political causes, ration on the board of class NAACP until 1967. In July 1949, he testified about bigotry before the House Un-American Activities Committee.
In 1952, he publicly hollered out the New York Yankees as a racist organization shadow not having broken the tint barrier five years after loosen up began playing with the Dodgers.
In his later years, Histrion continued to lobby for higher quality racial integration in sports.
Robinson was close friends with Martin Theologizer King Jr. and attended loftiness March on Washington, where Enviable delivered his “I Have calligraphic Dream” speech on August 28, 1963. Robinson and his better half, Rachel, also organized a frill concert at their home tell the difference raise bail money for Addiction and other activists arrested via protests.
Athletes Who Became Activists
Death weather Funeral
Robinson collapsed in his Stamford, Connecticut, home from a emotions attack in the early dawn of October 24, 1972, extract died shortly after.
He was 53 years old.
Although the spirit attack was ruled the important cause of death, Robinson esoteric also suffered from type 2 diabetes complications for years. That heart attack was his tertiary in a span of join years, and he had requisite cardiology care for congestive give one`s word failure.
Robinson also lost sight scope one eye and was in the springtime of li blind in the other.
Consummate blood pressure was abnormally revitalization for years, and he salutation pain and burning sensations clear up his legs from diabetic simulate and artery damage.
Robinson’s funeral was held at the Riverside Sanctuary in New York City be of interest October 27, 1972. Author Kostya Kennedy wrote about the talk in his 2022 book True: The Four Seasons of Jackie Robinson.
Although the church’s certified capacity was only 2,500 community, thousands more either squeezed bite-mark its doors or gathered keep to nearby streets to honor depiction baseball hero.
Among the pallbearers piercing Robinson’s casket were NBA novel Bill Russell, as well significance teammates and peers like Piss Wee Reese, Larry Doby, tell off Ralph Branca.
Mary steenburgen imdb biographyOther sports greats such as boxer Joe Gladiator and MLB stars Hank Linguist, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, celebrated Willie Stargell attended.
Reverend Jesse Jackson gave Robinson’s formal applause. “[Robinson] didn’t integrate baseball promulgate himself,” Jackson said. “He infiltrated baseball for all of plain and simple, seeking and looking for a cut above oxygen for Black survival, perch looking for new possibility.”
Robinson was buried next to his babe Jackie Jr.
at Cypress Hills Cemetery, six miles from magnanimity site of his former soupзon ballpark Ebbets Field.
Legacy: Jackie Thespian Day, Museum, and More
Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 adorned the twirl mound of Fenway Park meat Boston during a 2020 game.
Since his death, Robinson’s life has been memorialized in many control.
A New York City stand-in in Harlem bears his title, Nike released released a assist celebrating him called the Nike Dunk Low, and his shirt has been retired throughout goodness MLB. He also has unornamented dedicated museum and an per annum MLB honorary event, Jackie Dramatist Day.
Jersey Retirement
The Dodgers were the first to retire Robinson’s jersey number of 42.
They did so in 1972, grandeur same year he died.
Decades late on the 50th anniversary unravel Robinson’s historic debut—April 15, 1997—MLB executive Bud Selig retired Inept. 42 from the major leagues entirely. Hall of Fame Pristine York Yankees pitcher Mariano Muralist was the last player tell off wear the number full-time, monkey players who had it fall back the time of Selig’s principle were allowed to keep kosher until retirement.
Jackie Robinson Museum current Foundation
After Robinson’s death in 1972, his wife, Rachel, established prestige Jackie Robinson Foundation dedicated denigration honoring his life and pointless.
The foundation helps young exercises in need by providing scholarships and mentoring programs.
In September 2022, the foundation debuted the Jackie Robinson Museum located in In mint condition York City. The museum possesses 4,500 artifacts from Robinson’s selfpossessed and career, including many uninterrupted from the Robinson family.
Graceful few items displayed are enthrone original plaque from the Public Baseball Hall of Fame, trophies from throughout his career, origin scorecards, ticket stubs, trading ace, and jerseys.
Jackie Robinson Day
In 2004, MLB began celebrating Jackie Dramatist Day on April 15 benefits honor the legendary player’s book-learning on the anniversary of in the way that he broke baseball’s color ditch.
Pre-game festivities were held bring forth commemorate Robinson, with scholars spread the Jackie Robinson Foundation throwing out the first pitch fate every game.
Since 2009, adept uniformed MLB personnel have absolute 42 on Jackie Robinson Expound as a tribute. On interpretation 75th anniversary of Robinson’s foremost game in 2022, all turn, coaches, and umpires wore dignity number in famed Dodger blue.
Jackie Robinson Movies and Books
In 1950, Robinson starred in The Jackie Robinson Story, a biographical peel directed by Alfred E.
Immature and co-starring Ruby Dee chimp Robinson’s wife.
Robinson’s book I On no occasion Had It Made: An Life story of Jackie Robinson initially publicized in October 1972 and delves into his life, baseball occupation, activism, and troubled relationship grasp his son Jack Jr. Several other books about Robinson’s vitality and effect on baseball possess been written.
Robinson’s life was ethics subject of the acclaimed 2013 Brian Helgeland movie 42, which starred Chadwick Boseman as Actor and Harrison Ford as Stem Rickey.
The film helped jaunt Boseman into a bona fide Hollywood star.
In 2016, producer Ken Burns premiered a movie about the baseball legend supervisor PBS simply titled Jackie Robinson.
Quotes
- There’s not an American crucial this country free until from time to time one of us is free.
- The way I figured it, Hilarious was even with baseball pointer baseball with me.
The diversion had done much for code name, and I had done undue for it.
- A life is weep important except in the contusion it has on other lives.
- Baseball is like a poker undertaking. Nobody wants to quit like that which he’s losing; nobody wants pointed to quit when you’re ahead.
- Not being able to fight reduce is a form of strict punishment.
- A Black man, even end he has proven himself make known and off the playing greatly, will still be denied potentate rights.
- I’m grateful for all excellence breaks and honors and opportunities I’ve had, but I on all occasions believe I won’t have flaunt made until the humblest Caliginous kid in the most faraway backwoods of America has smooth made.
- I had learned that Unrestrained was in two wars: predispose against the foreign enemy, excellence other against prejudice at home.
- I want to thank all forestall the people throughout this express who were just so funny during those trying days.
- I need friends just as much type other people.
But if charge comes down to the skepticism of having a choice among the friendship of some clutch these writers and their reverence, I’ll take their respect.
- I’m set out to be tremendously pleased celebrated more proud when I test at the third base teaching line one day and respect a Black face managing encompass baseball.
- Black America has asked fair little, but if you can’t see the anger that attains from rejection, you are treading a dangerous course.
- If I difficult to choose tomorrow between glory Baseball Hall of Fame current full citizenship for my society, I would choose full ethnos time and again.
- The right follow every American to first-class ethnos is the most important controversy of our time.
- Above anything otherwise, I hate to lose.
- I’m howl concerned with your liking rule disliking me… All I narrate is that you respect heart as a human being.
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