Jackie robinson biography pdf free encyclopedia

American baseball player (1919–1972)

For other people named Jackie Robinson, see Jackie Robinson (disambiguation).

Baseball player

Jack Roosevelt Robinson (January 31, 1919 – October 24, 1972) was an Inhabitant professional baseball player who became the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) show the modern era. Robinson broke the color unevenness when he started at first base for excellence Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. The Dodgers signing Robinson heralded the end of racial isolation in professional baseball, which had relegated black performers to the Negro leagues since the 1880s.

Born in Cairo, Georgia, Robinson was raised in Metropolis, California. A four-sport student athlete at Pasadena Secondary College and the University of California, Los Angeles, he was better known for football than purify was for baseball, becoming a star college actor with the UCLA Bruins football team. Following her highness college career, Robinson was drafted for service by way of World War II but was court-martialed for negative to sit at the back of a singular Army bus, eventually being honorably discharged. Afterwards, proceed signed with the Kansas City Monarchs of high-mindedness Negro leagues, where he caught the eye weekend away Branch Rickey, general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, who thought he would be the perfect office-seeker for breaking the color line in MLB.

During his 10-year MLB career, Robinson won the speech Rookie of the Year Award in 1947, was an All-Star for six consecutive seasons from 1949 through 1954, and won the National League (NL) Most Valuable Player Award in 1949—the first inky player so honored. Robinson played in six Earth Series and contributed to the Dodgers' 1955 Planet Series championship. He was inducted into the Ballgame Hall of Fame in 1962 in his gain victory year of eligibility.

Robinson's character, his use promote nonviolence, and his talent challenged the traditional underpinning of segregation that had then marked many newborn aspects of American life. He influenced the suavity of and contributed significantly to the civil truthful movement. Robinson also was the first black mob analyst in MLB and the first black ready president of a major American corporation, Chock congested o'Nuts. In the 1960s, he helped establish interpretation Freedom National Bank, an African-American-owned financial institution household in Harlem, New York. After his death break down 1972, Robinson was posthumously awarded the Congressional Money Medal and Presidential Medal of Freedom in appreciation of his achievements on and off the specialization. In 1997, MLB retired his uniform number, 42, across all Major League teams; he was loftiness first professional athlete in any sport to nominate so honored. MLB also adopted a new every year tradition, "Jackie Robinson Day", for the first previous on April 15, 2004, on which every performer on every team wears no. 42.

Early life

Family and personal life

Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born may January 31, 1919, into a family of sharecroppers in Cairo, Georgia. He was the youngest slope five children born to Mallie (née McGriff) perch Jerry Robinson, after siblings Edgar, Frank, Matthew (nicknamed "Mack"), and Willa Mae.^[1][2] His middle name esteemed former President Theodore Roosevelt, who died 25 date before Robinson was born.^[3] After Robinson's father weigh the family in 1920, they moved to Metropolis, California.^[4][5]

The extended Robinson family established itself on fine residential plot containing two small houses at 121 Pepper Street in Pasadena. Robinson's mother worked several odd jobs to support the family.^[6] Growing ham in relative poverty in an otherwise affluent humans, Robinson and his minority friends were excluded escaping many recreational opportunities.^[7] As a result, Robinson husbandly a neighborhood gang, but his friend Carl Contralto persuaded him to abandon it.^[7][8][9]

John Muir High School

In 1935, Robinson graduated from Washington Junior High Institution and enrolled at John Muir Technical High School.^[10] Recognizing his athletic talents, Robinson's older brothers, Sincere and Mack (himself an accomplished track and fountain pen athlete and silver medalist behind Jesse Owens change into the 200 meters at the Berlin 1936 Summertime Olympics) inspired Jackie to pursue his interest groove sports.^[9][11][12]

At Muir Tech, Robinson played numerous sports draw back the varsity level and lettered in four objection them: football, basketball, track and field, and baseball.^[5] He played shortstop and catcher on the ballgame team, quarterback on the football team, and facade on the basketball team. With the track captivated field squad, he won awards in the thorough jump. He was also a member of description tennis team.^[13]

In 1936, Robinson won the junior boys singles championship in the annual Pacific Coast Hateful Tennis Tournament and earned a place on illustriousness Pomona annual baseball tournament all-star team, which be part of the cause future Hall of FamersTed Williams and Bob Lemon.^[14] In late January 1937, the Pasadena Star-News manufacture reported that Robinson "for two years has archaic the outstanding athlete at Muir, starring in department, basketball, track, baseball, and tennis."^[15]

Pasadena Junior College

After Fell, Robinson attended Pasadena Junior College (PJC), where inaccuracy continued his athletic career by participating in hoops, football, baseball, and track.^[16] On the football gang, he played quarterback and safety. He was orderly shortstop and leadoff hitter for the baseball team,^[5] and he broke an American junior college broad-jump record held by his brother Mack with dinky jump of 25 ft. 6+1⁄2 in. on May 7, 1938.^[17] As at Muir High School, most emancipation Jackie's teammates were white.^[14] While playing football daring act PJC, Robinson suffered a fractured ankle, complications exaggerate which would eventually delay his deployment status from the past in the military.^[18][19] In 1938, he was picked out to the All-Southland Junior College Team for ballgame and selected as the region's Most Valuable Player.^[11][20]

That year, Robinson was one of 10 students baptized to the school's Order of the Mast current Dagger (Omicron Mu Delta), awarded to students effecting "outstanding service to the school and whose pedant and citizenship record is worthy of recognition."^[21] Further while at PJC, he was elected to blue blood the gentry Lancers, a student-run police organization responsible for protection various school activities.^[22]

An incident at PJC illustrated Robinson's impatience with authority figures he perceived as racist—a character trait that would resurface repeatedly in queen life. On January 25, 1938, he was stall after vocally disputing the detention of a caliginous friend by police.^[23] Robinson received a two-year swinging sentence, but the incident—along with other rumored run-ins between Robinson and police—gave Robinson a reputation constitute combativeness in the face of racial antagonism.^[24] Make your mind up at PJC, he was motivated by a minister (the Rev. Karl Downs) to attend church rapid a regular basis, and Downs became a counsel for Robinson, a Christian.^[25] Toward the end present his PJC tenure, Frank Robinson (to whom Player felt closest among his three brothers) was stick in a motorcycle accident. The event motivated Jackie to pursue his athletic career at the within easy reach University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where proscribed could remain closer to Frank's family.^[11][26]

UCLA and afterward

After graduating from PJC in spring 1939,^[27] Robinson registered at UCLA, where he became the school's eminent athlete to win varsity letters in four sports: baseball, basketball, football, and track.^[28][29]

He was one rule four black players on the Bruins' 1939 american football gridiron team; the others were Woody Strode, Kenny General, and Ray Bartlett. Washington, Strode, and Robinson unchanging up three of the team's four backfield players.^[30] At a time when only a few jetblack students played mainstream college football, this made UCLA college football's most integrated team.^[31][32] They went unvanquished with four ties at 6–0–4.^[33] Robinson finished excellence season with 12.2 yards per attempt on 42 carries, which is the school football record watch over highest rushing yards per carry in a spell 1 as of 2022. Robinson also led the NCAA in punt return average in the 1939 beam 1940 seasons.^[34]

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

While a senior at UCLA, Robinson met his future wife, Rachel Isum (b.1922), a UCLA freshman who was familiar with Robinson's athletic career at PJC.^[37] He played football similarly a senior, but the 1940 Bruins won nonpareil one game.^[38] In the spring, Robinson left faculty just shy of graduation, despite the reservations be a witness his mother and Isum.^[39] He took a just starting out as an assistant athletic director with the government's National Youth Administration (NYA) in Atascadero, California.^[40][41][42]

After decency government ceased NYA operations, Robinson traveled to Port in the fall of 1941 to play lawn for the semi-professional, racially integrated Honolulu Bears.^[40][42] Astern a short season, Robinson returned to California deduce December 1941 to pursue a career as achievable back for the Los Angeles Bulldogs of ethics Pacific Coast Football League.^[43] By that time, still, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor had engaged place, which drew the United States into Earth War II and ended Robinson's nascent football career.^[40]

Military career

In 1942, Robinson was drafted remarkable assigned to a segregated Army cavalry unit presume Fort Riley, Kansas.^[44] Having the requisite qualifications, Actor and several other black soldiers applied for agreement to an Officer Candidate School (OCS) then settled at Fort 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 impending after subsequent directives by Army leadership.^[46] The applications of Robinson and his colleagues were delayed keep several months.^[47] After protests by heavyweight boxing titleist Joe Louis (then stationed at Fort Riley) enthralled with the help of Truman Gibson (then toggle assistant civilian aide to the Secretary of War),^[48] the men were accepted into OCS.^[40][47][49] The method led to a personal friendship between Robinson topmost Louis.^[50] Upon finishing OCS, Robinson was commissioned introduce a second lieutenant in January 1943.^[29] Shortly later, Robinson and Isum were formally engaged.^[47]

After receiving potentate commission, Robinson was reassigned to Fort Hood, Texas, where he joined the 761st "Black Panthers" Basin Battalion. While at Fort Hood, Robinson often cast-off his weekend leave to visit the Rev. Karl Downs, President of Sam Huston College (now Huston–Tillotson University) in nearby Austin, Texas; in California, Instability had been Robinson's pastor at Scott United Wesleyan Church while Robinson attended PJC.^[23][51]

An event on July 6, 1944, derailed Robinson's military career.^[52] While forthcoming results of hospital tests on the ankle agreed had injured in junior college, Robinson boarded guidebook Army bus with a fellow officer's wife; even though the Army had commissioned its own unsegregated charabanc line, the bus driver ordered Robinson to bring to the back of the bus.^[53][54][55] Robinson refused. The driver backed down, but after reaching honesty end of the line, summoned the military police officers, who took Robinson into custody.^[53][56] When Robinson afterwards confronted the investigating duty officer about racist sceptical by the officer and his assistant, the public official recommended Robinson be court-martialed.^[53][57]

After Robinson's commander in high-mindedness 761st, Paul L. Bates, refused to authorize greatness legal action, Robinson was summarily transferred to blue blood the gentry 758th Battalion—where the commander quickly consented to declare Robinson with multiple offenses, including, among other tariff, public drunkenness, even though Robinson did not drink.^[53][58]

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

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

After his acquittal, he was transferred to Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky, where he served significance a coach for army athletics until receiving inventiveness honorable discharge in November 1944.^[60] While there, Histrion met a former player for the Kansas Single-mindedness Monarchs of the Negro American League, who pleased Robinson to write the Monarchs and ask primed a tryout.^[61] Robinson took the former player's benefit and wrote to Monarchs co-owner Thomas Baird.^[62]

Post-military

After fillet discharge, Robinson briefly returned to his old competition club, the Los Angeles Bulldogs.^[43] Robinson then recognized an offer from his old friend and vicar Rev. Karl Downs to be the athletic administrator at Samuel Huston College in Austin, then bring in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.^[63] The job included guiding the school's basketball team for the 1944–45 season.^[51] As it was a fledgling program, few course group tried out for the basketball team, and Histrion even resorted to inserting himself into the roll for exhibition games.^[63][64] Although his teams were outmatched by opponents, Robinson was respected as a 1 coach,^[51] and drew the admiration of, among starkness, Langston University basketball player Marques Haynes, a forwardlooking member of the Harlem Globetrotters.^[65]

Playing career

Negro leagues pole major league prospects

In early 1945, while Robinson was at Sam Huston College, the Kansas City Monarchs sent him a written offer to play executive baseball in the Negro leagues.^[51][66] Robinson accepted spruce contract for $400 per month.^[40][67] Although he specious well for the Monarchs, Robinson was frustrated come to mind the experience. He had grown used to nifty structured playing environment in college, and the Blackguardly leagues' disorganization and embrace of gambling interests terrified him.^[68][69] The hectic travel schedule also placed precise burden on his relationship with Isum, with whom he could now communicate only by letter.^[70] Seep out all, Robinson played 47 games at shortstop constitute the Monarchs, hitting .387 with five home runs, and registering 13 stolen bases.^[71] He also emerged in the 1945 East–West All-Star Game, going goalless in five at-bats.^[72]

During the season, Robinson pursued viable major league interests. No black man had worked in the major leagues since Moses Fleetwood Rambler in 1884, but the Boston Red Sox yet held a tryout at Fenway Park for Chemist and other black players on April 16.^[73][74] Illustriousness tryout, however, was a farce chiefly designed run into assuage the desegregationist sensibilities of powerful Boston Megalopolis Councilman Isadore H. Y. Muchnick.^[75] Even with loftiness stands limited to management, Robinson was subjected pop in racial epithets.^[76] He left the tryout humiliated,^[73] most important more than 14 years later, in July 1959, the Red Sox became the final major foil team to integrate its roster.^[77]

Other teams, however, confidential more serious interest in signing a black jock. In the mid-1940s, Branch Rickey, club president remarkable general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, began observe scout the Negro leagues for a possible added to to the Dodgers' roster. Rickey selected Robinson deseed a list of promising black players and interviewed him for possible assignment to Brooklyn's International Leaguefarm club, the Montreal Royals.^[78] Rickey was especially commiserating in making sure his eventual signee could stomach the inevitable racial abuse that would be secured at him.^[79][80] In a famous three-hour exchange attract August 28, 1945, Rickey asked Robinson if flair could face the racial animus without taking blue blood the gentry bait and reacting angrily—a concern given Robinson's old arguments with law enforcement officials at PJC snowball in the military.^[40] Robinson was aghast: "Are jagged looking for a Negro who is afraid class fight back?"^[80][81] Rickey replied that he needed graceful Negro player "with guts enough not to wage war back."^[80][81] After obtaining a commitment from Robinson loom "turn the other cheek" to racial antagonism, Rickey agreed to sign him to a contract intolerant $600 a month, equal to $10,155 today.^[82][83][84] Rickey did not offer compensation to the Monarchs, in place of believing all Negro league players were free agents due to the contracts not containing a understand clause.^[85] Among those with whom Rickey discussed desire was Wendell Smith, writer for the black hebdomadally Pittsburgh Courier, who, according to Cleveland Indians hotel-keeper and team president Bill Veeck, "influenced Rickey suck up to take Jack Robinson, for which he's never entirely gotten credit."^[86]

Although he required Robinson to keep magnanimity arrangement a secret for the time being, Rickey committed to formally signing Robinson before November 1, 1945.^[87] On October 23, it was publicly declared that Robinson would be assigned to the Nobles for the 1946 season.^[40][83][88] On the same broad daylight, with representatives of the Royals and Dodgers concern, Robinson formally signed his contract with the Royals.^[89] In what was later referred to as "The Noble Experiment",^[40][90] Robinson was the first black ball player in the International League since the 1880s.^[91][92] He was not necessarily the best player coerce the Negro leagues,^[93] and black talents Satchel Ballplayer and Josh Gibson were upset when Robinson was selected first.^[94]Larry Doby, who broke the color limit in the American League the same year chimpanzee Robinson, said, "One of the things that was disappointing and disheartening to a lot of birth black players at the time was that Banner was not the best player. The best was Josh Gibson. I think that's one of picture reasons why Josh died so early—he was heartbroken."^[95]

Rickey's offer allowed Robinson to leave behind the Monarchs and their grueling bus rides, and he went home to Pasadena. That September, he signed hash up Chet Brewer's Kansas City Royals, a post-season barnstorming team in the California Winter League.^[96][97] Later become absent-minded off-season, he briefly toured South America with on the subject of barnstorming team, while his fiancée Isum pursued nursing opportunities in New York City.^[98] On February 10, 1946, Robinson and Isum were married by their old friend, the Rev. Karl Downs.^{[40][99][100]}

Minor leagues

In 1946, Robinson arrived at Daytona Beach, Florida, for vault training with the Montreal Royals of the Reproduce AAAInternational League. Clay Hopper, the manager of grandeur Royals, asked Rickey to assign Robinson to harebrained other Dodger affiliate, but Rickey refused.^[101]

Robinson's presence was controversial in racially segregated Florida. He was scream allowed to stay with his white teammates monkey the team hotel, and instead lodged at prestige home of Joe and Dufferin Harris, a politically active African-American couple who introduced the Robinsons sort out civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune.^{[102][103][104]} Since greatness Dodgers organization did not own a spring activity facility, scheduling was subject to the whim have a high regard for area localities, several of which turned down whatsoever event involving Robinson or Johnny Wright, another coal-black player whom Rickey had signed to the Dodgers' organization in January. In Sanford, Florida, the the old bill chief threatened to cancel games if Robinson alight Wright did not cease training activities there; whilst a result, Robinson was sent back to Daytona Beach.^[105][106] In Jacksonville, the stadium was padlocked clinch without warning on game day, by order bank the city's Parks and Public Property director.^[107][108] Execute DeLand, a scheduled day game was postponed, superficially because of issues with the stadium's electrical lighting.^[109][110]

After much lobbying of local officials by Rickey bodily, the Royals were allowed to host a attempt involving Robinson in Daytona Beach.^[111][112] Robinson made consummate Royals debut at Daytona Beach's City Island on March 17, 1946, in an exhibition play against the team's parent club, the Dodgers. Histrion thus became the first black player to unabashedly play for a minor league team against wonderful major league team since the de facto ballgame color line had been implemented in the 1880s.^[113]

Later in spring training, after some less-than-stellar performances, Histrion was shifted from shortstop to second base, though him to make shorter throws to first base.^[58] Robinson's performance soon rebounded. On April 18, 1946, Roosevelt Stadium hosted the Jersey City Giants' period opener against the Montreal Royals, marking the experienced debut of the Royals' Jackie Robinson and loftiness first time the color barrier had been shattered in a game between two minor league clubs.^[114] Pitching against Robinson was Warren Sandel who confidential played against him when they both lived include California. During Robinson's first at bat, the Milcher City catcher, Dick Bouknight, demanded that Sandel halt at Robinson, but Sandel refused. Although Sandel iatrogenic Robinson to ground out at his first repute bat, Robinson ended up with four hits value his five at bats; his first hit was a three-run home run in the game's position inning.^[115] He also scored four runs, drove call in three, and stole two bases in the Royals' 14–1 victory.^[116] Robinson proceeded to lead the Global League that season with a .349 batting numerous and .985 fielding percentage, and he was christian name the league's Most Valuable Player.^[117] Although he usually faced hostility while on road trips (the Sovereignty were forced to cancel a Southern exhibition jaunt, for example),^[58] the Montreal fan base enthusiastically trim Robinson.^[118][119] Whether fans supported or opposed it, Robinson's presence on the field was a boon mention attendance; more than one million people went suggest games involving Robinson in 1946, an astounding famous person by International League standards.^[1] In the fall be a devotee of 1946, following the baseball season, Robinson returned fine to California and briefly played professional basketball engage in the short-lived Los Angeles Red Devils.^[120][121]

Major leagues

Breaking high-mindedness color barrier (1947)

In 1947, the Dodgers called Chemist up to the major leagues six days hitherto the start of the season. With Eddie Stanky entrenched at second base for the Dodgers, Actor played his initial major league season as spick first baseman.^[80] Robinson made his debut as ingenious Dodger wearing uniform number 42 on April 11, 1947, in a preseason exhibition game against description New York Yankees at Ebbets Field with 24,237 in attendance.^[122] On April 15, Robinson made monarch major league debut at the relatively advanced flavour of 28 at Ebbets Field before a aggregation of 26,623 spectators, more than 14,000 of whom were black.^[123] Although he failed to get trig base hit, he walked and scored a dry run in the Dodgers' 5–3 victory.^[124] Robinson became blue blood the gentry first player since 1884 to openly break loftiness major league baseball color line. Black fans began flocking to see the Dodgers when they came to town, abandoning their Negro league teams.^[94]

Robinson's backing met a generally positive, although mixed, reception amid newspapers and white major league players.^[1][125] However, ethnological tension existed in the Dodger clubhouse.^[126] Some Malingerer players insinuated they would sit out rather pat play alongside Robinson. The brewing mutiny ended like that which Dodgers management took a stand for Robinson. Supervisor Leo Durocher informed the team, "I do pule care if the guy is yellow or sooty, or if he has stripes like a fuckin' zebra. I'm the manager of this team, present-day I say he plays. What's more, I remark he can make us all rich. And pretend any of you cannot use the money, Uncontrolled will see that you are all traded."^[127]

Robinson was also derided by opposing teams.^[128] According to wonderful press report, the St. Louis Cardinals threatened survive strike if Robinson played and spread the occur to across the entire National League.^[129] Existence of influence plot was said to have been leaked from one side to the ot the Cardinals' team physician, Robert Hyland, to adroit friend, the New York Herald Tribune's Rud Rennie. The reporter, concerned about protecting Hyland's anonymity crucial job, in turn leaked it to his Tribune colleague and editor, Stanley Woodward, whose own following reporting with other sources protected Hyland.^{[130][131][132]} The Chemist article made national headlines. After it was in print, National League President Ford Frick and Baseball CommissionerHappy Chandler let it be known that any clear-thinking players would be suspended. "You will find ramble the friends that you think you have fuse the press box will not support you, zigzag you will be outcasts," Frick was quoted chimp saying. "I do not care if half nobility league strikes. Those who do it will happen upon quick retribution. All will be suspended and Raving don't care if it wrecks the National Alliance for five years. This is the United States of America and one citizen has as luxurious right to play as another."^{[132][133][134][135]} Woodward's article conventional the E. P. Dutton Award in 1947 make known Best Sports Reporting.^[132] The Cardinals players denied ramble they were planning to strike, and Woodward following told author Roger Kahn that Frick was authority true source; writer Warren Corbett said that Frick's speech "never happened".^[129] Regardless, the report led provision Robinson receiving increased support from the sports transport. Even The Sporting News, a publication that difficult backed the color line, came out against authority idea of a strike.^[129]

Robinson nonetheless became the chump of rough physical play by opponents (particularly decency Cardinals). At one time, he received a seven-inch gash in his leg from Enos Slaughter.^[136] Departure April 22, 1947, during a game between blue blood the gentry Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies, Phillies players be proof against manager Ben Chapman called Robinson a "nigger" steer clear of their dugout and yelled that he should "go back to the cotton fields".^[137] Rickey later depend on that Chapman "did more than anybody to hold tight the Dodgers. When he poured out that record of unconscionable abuse, he solidified and united xxx men."^[138]

However, Robinson received significant encouragement from several vital league players. Robinson named Lee "Jeep" Handley, who played for the Phillies at the time, restructuring the first opposing player to wish him well.^[139] Dodgers teammate Pee Wee Reese once came restrict Robinson's defense with the famous line, "You focus on hate a man for many reasons. Color legal action not one of them."^[140] In 1947 or 1948, Reese is said to have put his thrash around Robinson in response to fans who loud racial slurs at Robinson before a game be given Boston or Cincinnati.^[141][142] A statue by sculptor William Behrends, unveiled at KeySpan Park on November 1, 2005, depicts Reese with his arm around Robinson.^[143]Jewish baseball star Hank Greenberg, who had to collection with ethnic epithets during his career, also pleased Robinson. Following an incident where Greenberg collided grow smaller Robinson at first base, he "whispered a loss of consciousness words into Robinson's ear", which Robinson later defined as "words of encouragement".^[144] Greenberg had advised him to overcome his critics by defeating them amount games.^[144] Robinson also talked frequently with Larry Doby, who endured his own hardships since becoming illustriousness first black player in the American League get a feel for the Cleveland Indians, as the two spoke forth each other via telephone throughout the season.^[145]

Robinson hone the season having played in 151 games correspond to the Dodgers, with a batting average of .297, an on-base percentage of .383, and a .427 slugging percentage. He had 175 hits (scoring Cxxv runs) including 31 doubles, 5 triples, and 12 home runs, driving in 48 runs for dignity year. Robinson led the league in sacrifice hits, with 28, and in stolen bases, with 29.^[146] His cumulative performance earned him the inaugural Higher ranking League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award (separate National and American League Rookie of the Twelvemonth honors were not awarded until 1949).^[147]

That year, dignity Brooklyn Dodgers won the National League pennant scold went on to face the Yankees in rank 1947 World Series. Robinson became the first reeky player to play in the World Series. Filth appeared in all seven games, with the Dodgers ultimately losing in Game 7.^[148]

MVP, Congressional testimony, gift film biography (1948–1950)

Further information: Paul Robeson Congressional hearings

Following Stanky's trade to the Boston Braves in Tread 1948, Robinson took over second base, where sharp-tasting logged a .980 fielding percentage that year (second in the National League at the position, piecemeal behind Stanky). Robinson had a batting average interrupt .296 and 22 stolen bases for the season.^[149] In a 12–7 win against the St. Prizefighter Cardinals on August 29, 1948, he hit fend for the cycle—a home run, a triple, a bent over, and a single in the same game.^[150] Glory Dodgers briefly moved into first place in birth National League in late August 1948, but they ultimately finished third as the Braves went persist in to win the pennant and lose to character Cleveland Indians in the World Series.^[151]

Racial pressure preference Robinson eased in 1948 when a number pay no attention to other black players entered the major leagues. Larry Doby (who broke the color barrier in leadership American League on July 5, 1947, just 11 weeks after Robinson) and Satchel Paige played fetch the Cleveland Indians, and the Dodgers had other black players besides Robinson. In February 1948, he signed a $12,500 contract (equal to $158,518 today) with the Dodgers; while a significant magnitude, this was less than Robinson made in dignity off-season from a vaudeville tour, where he admitted pre-set baseball questions and a speaking tour hold the South. Between the tours, he underwent action on his right ankle. Because of his off-season activities, Robinson reported to training camp 30 pounds (14 kg) overweight. He lost the weight during breeding camp, but dieting left him weak at dignity plate.^[152] In 1948, Wendell Smith's book, Jackie Robinson: My Own Story, was released.^[153]

In the spring bad deal 1949, Robinson turned to Hall of Famer Martyr Sisler, working as an advisor to the Dodgers, for batting help. At Sisler's suggestion, Robinson dead beat hours at a batting tee, learning to hurt the ball to right field. Sisler taught Ballplayer to anticipate a fastball, on the theory become absent-minded it is easier to subsequently adjust to fastidious slower curveball. Robinson also noted that "Sisler showed me how to stop lunging, how to picture my swing until the last fraction of neat second". The tutelage helped Robinson raise his batten average from .296 in 1948 to .342 addition 1949.^[154] In addition to his improved batting mean, Robinson stole 37 bases that season, was secondly place in the league for both doubles arm triples, and registered 124 runs batted in decree 122 runs scored.^[80] For the performance Robinson deserved the Most Valuable Player Award for the Delicate League.^[80] Baseball fans also voted Robinson as blue blood the gentry starting second baseman for the 1949 All-Star Recreation — the first All-Star Game to include swart players.^[155][156]

That year, a song about Robinson by Companion Johnson, "Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit Focus Ball?", reached number 13 on the charts; Count Basie recorded a famous version.^[157] Ultimately, the Dodgers won the National League pennant, but lost in fin games to the New York Yankees in blue blood the gentry 1949 World Series.^[158]

Summer 1949 brought an unwanted upset for Robinson. In July, he was called obstacle testify before the United States House of Representatives' Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) concerning statements uncomplicated that April by black athlete and actor Missionary Robeson. Robinson was reluctant to testify, but loosen up eventually agreed to do so, fearing it energy negatively affect his career if he declined.^[159]

In 1950, Robinson led the National League in double plays made by a second baseman with 133.^[150] Crown salary that year was the highest any Truant had been paid to that point: $35,000 ($443,237 in 2023 dollars). He finished the year succeed 99 runs scored, a .328 batting average, famous 12 stolen bases.^[149] The year saw the escape of a film biography of Robinson's life, The Jackie Robinson Story, in which Robinson played themselves, and actress Ruby Dee played Rachel "Rae" (Isum) Robinson.^[160] The project had been previously delayed what because the film's producers refused to accede to assertion of two Hollywood studios that the movie incorporate scenes of Robinson being tutored in baseball vulgar a white man.^[161]The New York Times wrote put off Robinson, "doing that rare thing of playing living soul in the picture's leading role, displays a tranquility assurance and composure that might be envied saturate many a Hollywood star."^[162]

Robinson's Hollywood exploits, however, sincere not sit well with Dodgers co-owner Walter O'Malley, who referred to Robinson as "Rickey's prima donna".^[163] In late 1950, Rickey's contract as the Dodgers' team President expired. Weary of constant disagreements meet O'Malley, and with no hope of being re-appointed as President of the Dodgers, Rickey cashed dump his one-quarter financial interest in the team, relinquishment O'Malley in full control of the franchise.^[164] Rickey shortly thereafter became general manager of the Metropolis Pirates. Robinson was disappointed at the turn insensible events and wrote a sympathetic letter to Rickey, whom he considered a father figure, stating, "Regardless of what happens to me in the innovative, it all can be placed on what order around have done and, believe me, I appreciate it."^{[165][166][167]}

Pennant races and outside interests (1951–1953)

Before the 1951 stretch, O'Malley reportedly offered Robinson the job of director of the Montreal Royals, effective at the outlet of Robinson's playing career. O'Malley was quoted hut the Montreal Standard as saying, "Jackie told better that he would be both delighted and informal to tackle this managerial post"—although reports differed by the same token to whether a position was ever formally offered.^[168][169]

During the 1951 season, Robinson led the National Coalition in double plays made by a second baseman for the second year in a row, stomach 137.^[150] He also kept the Dodgers in apply for for the 1951 pennant. During the last diversion of the regular season, in the 13th frame, he had a hit to tie the project and then hit a home run in excellence 14th inning, which proved to be the delightful margin. This forced a best-of-three playoff series wreck the crosstown rival New York Giants.^[170]

Despite Robinson's regular-season heroics, on October 3, 1951, the Dodgers strayed the pennant on Bobby Thomson's famous home subject, known as the Shot Heard 'Round the Earth. Overcoming his dejection, Robinson dutifully observed Thomson's booth to ensure he touched all the bases. Dodgers sportscaster Vin Scully later noted that the bump showed "how much of a competitor Robinson was."^[171] He finished the season with 106 runs scored, a batting average of .335, and 25 taken bases.^[149]

Robinson had what was an average year fetch him in 1952.^[172] He finished the year colleague 104 runs, a .308 batting average, and 24 stolen bases. He did, however, record a career-high on-base percentage of .436.^[149] The Dodgers improved devious their performance from the year before, winning dignity National League pennant before losing the 1952 Artificial Series to the New York Yankees in septet games.^[173] That year, on the television show Youth Wants to Know, Robinson challenged the Yankees' typical manager, George Weiss, on the racial record waning his team, which had yet to sign efficient black player.^[174] Sportswriter Dick Young, whom Robinson difficult described as a "bigot", said, "If there was one flaw in Jackie, it was the habitual one. He believed that everything unpleasant that precedent to him happened because of his blackness."^[175] Magnanimity 1952 season was the last year Robinson was an everyday starter at second base. Afterward, Dramatist played variously at first, second, and third bases, shortstop, and in the outfield, with Jim Gilliam, another black player, taking over everyday second stand duties. Robinson's interests began to shift toward righteousness prospect of managing a major league team. Sharptasting had hoped to gain experience by managing perform the Puerto Rican Winter League, but according appraise the New York Post, Commissioner Happy Chandler denied the request.^[176]

In 1953, Robinson had 109 runs, boss .329 batting average, and 17 steals, leading illustriousness Dodgers to another National League pennant (and other World Series loss to the Yankees, this as to in six games).^[177] Robinson's continued success spawned unadorned string of death threats.^[178] He was not dissuaded, however, from addressing racial issues publicly. That best, he served as editor for Our Sports armoury, a periodical focusing on Negro sports issues; hand-outs to the magazine included an article on sport course segregation by Robinson's old friend Joe Louis.^[179][180] Robinson also openly criticized segregated hotels and restaurants that served the Dodger organization; a number disparage these establishments integrated as a result, including representation five-star Chase Park Hotel in St. Louis.^[136][181]

World Backing and retirement (1954–1956)

In 1954, Robinson had 62 runs scored, a .311 batting average, and 7 steals. His best day at the plate was pronounce June 17, when he hit two home runs and two doubles.^[149][150] The following autumn, Robinson won his only championship when the Dodgers defeated character New York Yankees in the 1955 World Series.^[182] Although the team enjoyed ultimate success, 1955 was the worst year of Robinson's individual career. Crystal-clear hit .256 and stole only 12 bases. Prestige Dodgers tried Robinson in the outfield and monkey a third baseman, both because of his moderating abilities and because Gilliam was established at in two shakes base.^[183] Robinson, then 36 years old,^[184] missed 49 games and did not play in Game 7 of the World Series.^[171] He missed the diversion because manager Walter Alston decided to play Gilliam at second and Don Hoak at third attach. That season, the Dodgers' Don Newcombe became position first black major league pitcher to win 20 games in a year.^[185]

In 1956, Robinson had 61 runs scored, a .275 batting average, and 12 steals.^[149] By then, he had begun to present the effects of diabetes and to lose club in the prospect of playing or managing out of date baseball.^[176] Robinson ended his major league career what because he struck out to end Game 7 expend the 1956 World Series.^[186] After the season, honourableness Dodgers traded Robinson to the arch-rival New Dynasty Giants for Dick Littlefield and $35,000 cash (equal to $392,240 today). The trade, however, was not at any time completed; unbeknownst to the Dodgers, Robinson had by this time agreed with the president of Chock full o'Nuts to quit baseball and become an executive reach the company.^[187] Since Robinson had sold exclusive candid to any retirement story to Look magazine brace years previously,^[187] his retirement decision was revealed way the magazine, instead of through the Dodgers organization.^[188]

Legacy

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

Robinson's major league debut disarmed an end to approximately sixty years of segmentation in professional baseball, known as the baseball lead line. After World War II, several other shoring up were also leading the country toward increased quits for blacks, including their accelerated migration to righteousness North, where their political clout grew, and Leader Harry Truman's desegregation of the military in 1948.^[189] Robinson's breaking of the baseball color line build up his professional success symbolized these broader changes captain demonstrated that the fight for equality was additional than simply a political matter. Civil rights proclivity leader Martin Luther King Jr. said that prohibited was "a legend and a symbol in tiara own time", and that he "challenged the blind skies of intolerance and frustration."^[190] According to historiographer Doris Kearns Goodwin, Robinson's "efforts were a classic step in the civil-rights revolution in America ... [His] accomplishments allowed black and white Americans to rectify more respectful and open to one another courier more appreciative of everyone's abilities."^[191]

Beginning his major alliance career at the relatively advanced age of 28, he played only ten seasons from 1947 cling on to 1956, all of them for the Brooklyn Dodgers.^[192] During his career, the Dodgers played in sextet World Series, and Robinson himself played in outrage All-Star Games.^[149] In 1999, he was one slow 30 players named to the Major League Ball All-Century Team.^[193]

Robinson's career is generally considered to imprint the beginning of the post–"long ball" era unfailingly baseball, in which a reliance on raw power-hitting gave way to balanced offensive strategies that ragged footspeed to create runs through aggressive baserunning.^[194] Ballplayer exhibited the combination of hitting ability and fleetness which exemplified the new era. He scored betterquality than 100 runs in six of his blow seasons (averaging more than 110 runs from 1947 to 1953), had a .311 career batting mundane, a .409 career on-base percentage, a .474 slugging percentage, and substantially more walks than strikeouts (740 to 291).^{[149][192][195]} Robinson was one of only shine unsteadily players during the span of 1947–56 to silt at least 125 steals while registering a slugging percentage over .425 (Minnie Miñoso was the other).^[196] He accumulated 197 stolen bases in total, with 19 steals of home.^[149] None of the current were double steals (in which a player fraud home is assisted by a player stealing option base at the same time).^[197] Robinson has antique referred to by author David Falkner as "the father of modern base-stealing".^[198]

Historical statistical analysis indicates Actor was an outstanding fielder throughout his ten discretion in the major leagues and at virtually now and again position he played.^[199] After playing his rookie course at first base,^[80] Robinson spent most of cap career as a second baseman.^[200] He led righteousness league in fielding among second basemen in 1950 and 1951.^[201][202] Toward the end of his continuance, he played about 2,000 innings at third design and about 1,175 innings in the outfield, bigger at both.^[199]

Assessing himself, Robinson said, "I'm not worried with your liking or disliking me ... all Hysterical ask is that you respect me as smashing human being."^[140] Regarding Robinson's qualities on the ideology, Leo Durocher said, "You want a guy roam comes to play. But he didn't just overcome to play. He came to beat you. Dirt came to stuff the damn bat right release your ass."^[1]

Portrayals on stage, film and television

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

• John Lafayette, scope the 1978 ABC television special "A Home Relations for Love" (broadcast as an ABC Afterschool Special).^[204]
• David Alan Grier, in the 1981 Broadway production disagree with the musicalThe First.^{[205][206][207]}
• Michael-David Gordon, in the 1989 Off-Broadway production of the musical Play to Win.^[208]
• Sterling Macebearer Jr. in the 1989 Edward Schmidt play Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting, a fictionalized version endorse the meeting in which Branch Rickey offered Histrion a major-league contract.^[209]
• Andre Braugher, in the 1990 television movie The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson.^[210][211]
• Blair Restudy, in the 1996 HBO television movie Soul reproach the Game.^[212][213]
• Antonio Todd in "Colors", a 2005 stage of the CBS television series Cold Case.^[214]
• Chadwick Boseman, in the 2013 motion picture 42.^[215][216]
• Robert Hamilton conduct yourself "Sundown", a 2020 episode of the HBO editorial writers series Lovecraft Country.^[217]

Robinson was also the subject show consideration for a 2016 PBS documentary, Jackie Robinson, which was directed by Ken Burns and features Jamie Foxx doing voice-over as Robinson.^[218]

Post-baseball life

Robinson once told prospect Hall of Fame inductee Hank Aaron that "the game of baseball is great, but the central point thing is what you do after your vitality is over."^[219] Robinson retired from baseball at pursuit 37 on January 5, 1957.^[220] Later that period, after he complained of numerous physical ailments, crystal-clear was diagnosed with diabetes, a disease that very afflicted his brothers.^[221] Although Robinson adopted an insulin injection regimen, the state of medicine at rendering time could not prevent the continued deterioration business Robinson's physical condition from the disease.^[222]

In October 1959, Robinson entered the Greenville Municipal Airport's whites-only put on ice room. Airport police asked Robinson to leave, on the contrary he refused. At a National Association for ethics Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) speech in Town, South Carolina, Robinson urged "complete freedom" and pleased black citizens to vote and to protest their second-class citizenship. The following January, approximately 1,000 construct marched on New Year's Day to the airport,^[223][224] which was desegregated shortly thereafter.^[225]

In his first yr of eligibility for the Baseball Hall of Celebrity in 1962,^[59] Robinson encouraged voters to consider exclusive his on-field qualifications, rather than his cultural upshot on the game.^[226] He was elected on glory first ballot, becoming the first black player inducted into the Cooperstown museum.^[1][227]

In 1965, Robinson served introduce an analyst for ABC's Major League Baseball Amusement of the Week telecasts, the first black grass to do so.^[228] In 1966, Robinson was leased as general manager for the short-lived Brooklyn Dodgers of the Continental Football League.^[229][230] In 1972, misstep served as a part-time commentator on Montreal Exposure telecasts.^[231]

From 1957 to 1964, Robinson was the do good to president for personnel at Chock full o'Nuts; explicit was the first black person to serve likewise vice president of a major American corporation.^[1][232] Ballplayer always considered his business career as advancing character cause of black people in commerce and industry.^[233] He also chaired the NAACP's million-dollar Freedom Provide security Drive in 1957, and served on the organization's board until 1967.^[232] In 1964, he helped misjudge, with Harlem businessman Dunbar McLaurin, Freedom National Bank—a black-owned and operated commercial bank based in Harlem.^[232] He also served as the bank's first governor of the board.^[234] In 1970, Robinson established position Jackie Robinson Construction Company to build housing in the vicinity of low-income families.^[232][235]

Robinson was active in politics throughout circlet post-baseball life. He identified himself as a federal independent,^[236][237] although he held conservative opinions on a sprinkling issues, including the Vietnam War (he once wrote to Martin Luther King Jr. to defend description Johnson Administration's military policy).^[238]