On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African American
to play Major League Baseball.
He was born in Cairo, Ga on January 31,1919 to Jerry and Mallie Robinson.
He was the youngest of five children and his grandparents had been former
slaves. His parents separated and the family moved to Pasadena, Ca.
He attended Pasadena Junio College and then attended UCLA. He was
drafted into the Army, during World War II, where he attended Officer
Candidat school and became a second lieutenant.
Robinson returned from duty, and started playing for baseball for
the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro League in 1944. In 1945, Dodger
President Branch Rickey signed Jackie Robinson to a minor league contract.
In 1947, Jackie made it to the Majors. Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, or
Cool Papa Bell could have been the first into the majors, but it was
Jackie Robinson that made that a reality. These players dominated
the Negroes as did Jackie and Hank Aaron.
Jackie Robinson joined the team and faced lots of discrimination
from players, fans, and the business world. He receieved death threats,
hate mail, and had things thrown at him as he headed for the field.
How was Jackie able to maintain self discipline? While in the military,
he faced the racism and discrimination as the officer during World War II.
Jackie Robinson set the standard for other African Americans to follow,
and opened the door for other sports, such as basketball and football.
Jackie played from 1947-56 and was inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.
He died on October 24, 1972 in Stanford, Connecticut. The 1997 Baseball season is
celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson first playing the game.
Deion Sanders and the Reds are paying tribute by wearinf uniforms that Robinson
wore in the 40's and 50's, with short sleeves and pants down at the knees.
On April 15, 1997 marked the 50th Anniversary of Jackie Roosevelt Robinson playing in his first game as a Brooklyn Dodgers. Last night Clinton and Mrs Robinson attended Shea Stadium as the Dodgers played the Mets. A man to remember for the changesd that he has brought to professional sports.