Breaking the Racial Barrier in Baseball
Although Jackie Robinson was not the best African-American baseball player of his time, his attitude and ability to handle racist harassment led the way for the rest of his race to play Major League Baseball, amongst other sports. Being accepted into professional sports also helped African-Americans become more easily accepted into other aspects of life. Jackie's impact in the world for the black population is enormous.
According to Jessie Jackson, "A champion wins a World Series or an Olympic event and is hoisted on the shoulders of the fans.
“In 1946, there were sixteen Major League Baseball teams, with a total of 400 players on their rosters, every one of the players was white. But when opening day came in 1947, that number dropped to 399, and one man stood apart. (42 2:30)” Jack Roosevelt “Jackie” Robinson made his Major League Baseball debut on April 15, 1947, as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Making Jackie Robinson the first African-American to play Major League Baseball (MLB). Jackie’s transition from the Negro Leagues to MLB was not an easy one. As a player, he transitioned very well, but it was Robinson’s teammates, Dodgers fans, the opposing teams and their fans that tested Jackie every chance they got, some hotels even prohibited the Dodgers to stay in their establishments
Robinson began playing baseball professionally after being discharged from the army. He started playing in the Negro Leagues, because at this time the sport was segregated and African Ame...
In 1947 Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers desperately wanted Robinson to play for him and his team. He would become the first black MLB player since 1889 when baseball became discriminated. In his first year he was the Rookie of the Year. He debuted in the International League with the Montreal Royals. This the led to Branch’s interest in Robinson since he was considered one of the best players in the International League and considering it was his first time playing with white men.
On April 15, 1947, at the age of 28, he changed baseball forever by becoming the first African-American to play in the major leagues. On that fateful day, he played with the Brooklyn Dodgers before a crow...
Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Bonds, Ozzie Smith, and Tony Gwynn; What do they all have in common? They are all some of the most famous African-American baseball players to ever play in the Major Leagues. One man, though, made it possible for all of them to play in the Major Leagues. That man’s name is Jackie Robinson. Although Jackie Robinson faced many adversities throughout his lifetime, he persevered and became the first African-American in Major League Baseball, breaking the color barrier and changing the world of baseball forever.
Jack Roosevelt “Jackie” Robinson was an American Major League baseball second baseman who became the first African American to play in the major leagues in the modern era. He was born to Jerry and Mallie Robinson in January 31st, 1919 Cairo GA and his siblings are Mack, Willa Mae, Edgar, and Frank Robinson. Jackie was well known because he broke the color barrier by becoming the first African American in professional baseball. In February 1, 1937 Jackie attended Junior college in Pasadena and by 1939 he enrolled at UCLA where he lettered in four sports football, basketball, track, and baseball. He also remains the only athlete to have lettered in four sports in UCLA’s history. Jackie was drafted to the United States Army in April 3rd, 1942
During the 1920’s not many people believe that someone of color could be great exel any type of sport at the time. Many people of color descent were segregated from European descent. But there was one person who, even though he was harassed, beat up and laughed at, broke through peoples expectations. Jackie Robinson had a life full of hardships, especially when he broke through the color barrier of professional baseball.
Jackie Robinson was the first African American ever to set foot on a Major League Baseball Field, and he wouldn’t be the last. It was opening day, April 15 1947, at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, Jackie stepped onto the diamond, starting at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Only later that year players like Larry Doby, for the Boston Braves, and Hank Thompson, also for the dodgers, made their way into the big leagues. This flood of African American players into the MLB continued over the next decade, but at the same time this lead to the erosion of one of this country’s under appreciated treasures, the Negro Leagues.
Baseball, america's pastime, was booming in the late 40s and and 50s. Unfortunately, during this time, all sports were segregated. In baseball there was the Negro League and the Major League. As you can tell the Negro League was blacks only and Major was white, but once the part owner of Brooklyn Dodgers, Branch Rickey, set his sight on Robinson everything changed.