In 1947 he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers. But before Jackie Robinson there was Moses Fleetwood Walker, he was the 1st African American major league baseball player to play baseball in the late 1800’s. On April 15, 1947 Jackie Robinson became the 1st African American to play major league baseball. He broke the color line, which led to many white teams playing against all black teams or interracial teams: Jackie Robinson caught many Americans attention and his story was widely retold through American culture in many different forms. Such as through movies, radio talk shows, sheet music, comic books, and sports magazines.
Though he would become most well-known for baseball, he also developed a wide reputation for basketball, football, and track at the University of California, in L.A, while he was there between 1939-1941 (Jackie Robinson). Jackie Robinson was an amazing athlete. “In 1949 he won the National League batting crown, hitting .342, and was named the NL’s most valuable player (Jackie Robinson).” Jackie was also the first black to ever be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962(Jackie Robinson). During Jackie’s first year, he scored a total of 125 runs and had the most stolen bases in the National League—29 (Damio, Christy). Because of that he was named Rookie of the Year.
Baseball may have taken a long time to not be made up of mainly white players. Jackie was a beacon of hope to black people in the fact that they could compete and succeed in a white man’s sport. Jackie was born and raised in Cairo, Georgia 1919. He was raised by his single mother Mallie along with is four siblings. He was the first person at UCLA to obtain a varsity letter in baseball, basketball, football, and track.
He attended John Muir High School and Pasadena Junior College where he excelled in 4 sports, track, football, baseball, and basketball. He was named the regions MVP2 in baseball in 1938. He continued on and attended The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He was the first person to win varsity letters in 4 sports. He eventually left UCLA before he graduated and went to go play semi-professional football in Hawaii with the Honolulu Bears.
Jackie Robinson changed the face of Major League Baseball. He was the first colored man to play in the major leagues and opened other sports up to black athletes. He brought the Negro style of play to the game of baseball and broke the colored barrier for the MLB. Jackie became the symbol of hope for Americans and soon hoped to break the segregation all together. In his letter to the President he said, “I hope in the near future America is determined to provide the freedoms we are entitled to under the constitution” (U.S. National).
The major effect would be that he inspired other African - Americans to play in professional sports leagues. Not only the MLB but also the other ones. Jackie potentially changed the lives of so many people just by playing in that game against the Boston Braves. It takes a lot of courage to do something that big, and that is exactly what Jackie did. That is what true legends
Throughout his athletic career, Jackie made huge achievements on the field. He played Football, Basketball, Track and Baseball. Furthermore, he was named the regions most valuable player in 1938. Jackie’s talent and love of sports took him to UCLA college. There he played his usual four sports and lettered in all four of those sports.
Black athletes and the black community created their own sports world because of the hardships they were put through due to racism (Rogosin 3). During this time in America, even the gre... ... middle of paper ... ... the world to live their dream and play in America. One of the most successful things in baseball history is when the game of baseball was changed and allowed players of all race to compete together. The integration of baseball brought or country a little closer because it gave everyone a place to come together and focus on our similarities. Many players and family’s benefited greatly from the integration of baseball.
Jackie Robison was the first African American to play in the major leagues. He was a big thing for baseball, that he revolutionized the game forever. Jackie was an impact in the 1960s and generations to come. Jackie Robinson had a big influence on all sports. He got rid of racial rules in sports, gave hope to African Americans, but had hard times in the League, and was a good role model to all.
Jackie went to UCLA, the college that was in his area. Baseball was Robinson´s main sport, but he was an accomplished athlete in several other sports. Robinson’s strength and quickness made him an impressive all-around athlete. During college at UCLA, he became the first student to letter in four different sports in a single season. In addition to baseball, he also shined in basketball as a guard and forward; in football he played quarterback, running back, and safety; and in track and field he was a long jumper.