Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson Jackie Robinson was born in Georgia in 1919 to a family of sharecroppers. Jackie is historically recognized for his most significant impact on American society of breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947. After his initial introduction to the Major Leagues with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie became the target of white race criticism all around the league including players and coaches. His challenge with the racism around the league was to not fight back, but stay a quiet, polite, ordinary baseball player. After his astounding first season and World Series appearance with the Dodgers, he became a true aspiration to African Americans and portrayed that anyone from any racial background is capable of achieving their goals if they set their mind to it. Although he was the first African to play in the MLB, he earned the respect of members of the MLB organization and ended up being known as one of the most talented baseball players of all time. His amazing stats over his career such as leading the league in stolen bases, double plays as a second baseman, his impressive batting average, and his MVP award, led to his induction to the Hall of Fame in 1962. His most famous statistic in his baseball career is his 19 stolen bases home. In 1997, the MLB decided to retire the number 42 for all teams in Jackie’s honor, which prevents a player from ever wearing the number 42 again in MLB history. After his career in baseball, Jackie continued to fight to improve the quality of life not only for African’s but also for society as a whole. He also became Vice President of Chock Full O’Nuts in 1957 and became the first African to do so in a major corporation. Robinson became an activist and leader of the African community with the NAACP in 1957 to raise money and ultimately end segregation. In his attempt to end the discrimination, he gave speeches, encouraged new ideas, marched and stood at protests fighting for a better life among society. Jackie came into the league hoping to impact the racial struggle, which he did, but ended up significantly impacting U.S. imperialism’s political status on the world stage. In present day, the blacks that play Major League Baseball and other Major League sports around America would not be able to do what they do without Jackie’s courageous fight to end discrimination against African Americans. Jackie made American society have a different perspective on the world of sports today.