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How Jackie Robinson Changed Baseball
Jessica McBirney
2017
7th Grade
Lexile: 1050
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Jackie Robinson (1919-1972) was a professional baseball player and the first African American to play in the Major Leagues. This informational text discusses Robinson's life and accomplishments, and the impact his role in baseball had on the Civil Rights Movement.
As you read, take note of the different ways that Jackie Robinson fought back against racial discrimination and segregation throughout this life.
Today, when you turn the TV to Major League Baseball, you will not be surprised at all to see an African American or Latino player take the mound. Maybe your favorite player is a person of color. But baseball has not always been as diverse as it is now. In 1947, Jackie Roosevelt Robinson became the first African American to play on a Major League Baseball team. The road he paved was an important, but difficult one.
Early Athletic Success
Robinson was born in Georgia on January 31, 1919, the youngest of five children. His father left the family just a year later, and his mother moved her children to Pasadena, California. She worked odd jobs to support her family, but Robinson still grew up in relative poverty.
When Jackie enrolled in high school, his siblings encouraged him to get involved in school sports teams. He excelled in football, basketball, track, and baseball. He broke many school sports records.
Robinson continued to play all of these sports in junior college. Ironically, he viewed baseball as his weakest sport. He transferred to UCLA to complete his degree, where he became the first athlete to letter in all four of those sports. UCLA had some of the most racially integrated college sports teams at the time, but Robinson was still among a very small minority of non-white athletes on all his teams.
Fighting Racism
Even early in his life, Robinson confronted racism head on. In 1938, while still at junior college, he was arrested after disputing the police detention of one of his Black friends. He managed to escape a long jail sentence, but this and other run-ins with the police earned him a reputation as someone who was both eager and willing to stand up against racial oppression.
When the U.S. entered World War II, Robinson enlisted in the army. He never saw direct combat, but his military career was marred by racial problems. While stationed in Texas, Robinson boarded a non-segregated bus, but he was instructed to sit in the back anyway. He refused, and military police took him into custody for his insubordination. Fortunately, one month later, an all-white jury acquitted him, but the situation was an early indication of the racial prejudice he’d come to face later in life.
A Negro Player with Guts
Robinson joined the professional Negro Leagues to play baseball in early 1945. He signed with the Kansas City Monarchs and had great success, but he was frustrated by all the disorganization that plagued the Negro Leagues. At the time, a few Major League teams were recruiting from the Negro Leagues, and Robinson struck up a relationship with the General Manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Branch Rickey.
Rickey liked the potential he saw in Robinson, but he had one question. He knew Robinson would face racial discrimination and injustice if he joined the Major Leagues. Could he be “a Negro player with enough guts not to fight back?” Robinson promised that he could, and signed a contract with the Montreal Royals, the Dodgers’ top minor league team. After just one season, he transferred to the Brooklyn Dodgers.
As he stepped onto the field as first baseman in 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first Major League Baseball player to break the color barrier since 1880. He was 28 years old.
African-American fans flooded to Dodgers games, and even the general public and the press had a mostly positive view of the team’s newest addition. However, Robinson faced discrimination from a few of his own team members, who threatened to sit out of games if he was allowed to play. Management took Robinson’s side — “I say he plays,” said the manager. “I say he can make us all rich. And if any of you cannot use the money, I will see that you are all traded.”
Other teams also disliked Robinson’s admittance into the League. Many threatened not to play against him. Most managers rejected these threats and forced the players to participate anyway. Instead, they took it out on Robinson directly during the games. Some players were physically violent — he once received a 7-inch gash in his leg from an opponent who spiked him with his cleats — while others hurled verbal racial insults at him and his teammates. The racism from other teams only united the Dodgers, however, and the team grew more accepting of him.
Major Success
Robinson won Rookie of the Year in 1947. In later seasons, more African-Americans joined other teams in the Major Leagues, as Robinson continued to excel. His success gained him fans from all over the country. He started at second base for the National League in the 1949 All-Star game, and he helped the Dodgers win the 1949 National League pennant.
Over the next several years his success grew, and by 1955 the Dodgers pulled out a win in the World Series. Robinson was 36 and starting to feel the effects of his age. In 1956 he did not dominate the league as much as he used to, partially because of the adverse effects of the diabetes he suffered from. When the Dodgers traded him to the New York Giants, Robinson decided to quit baseball altogether and become an executive for a coffee company instead.
A Legendary Impact
After his retirement, Robinson remained a baseball legend. In 1962, he received baseball’s highest honor when he was elected into the Hall of Fame. His playing style changed many team strategies. For example, he inspired players to be more aggressive in their base-running, rather than relying only on the distance they could hit the ball.
Robinson also made important racial breakthroughs in the sports world. The first baseball player to break the color barrier in 60 years, he paved the way for many future African-American and minority athletes. His career helped the upcoming Civil Rights Movement by giving Americans a heroic African-American sports figure to rally around.
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Notes
AllDefinitionsFootnotes
a term used in baseball that means a pitcher, the player who throws the ball, takes a turn at pitching
the inclusion of different types of people (such as people of different races or cultures) in a group or organization
to earn an award for excellence in school activities
Mar (verb) : to damage or spoil to a certain extent
Insubordination (noun) : defiance of authority
to free someone from a criminal charge by verdict of not guilty
Plague (verb) : to cause continual trouble or distress
an unspoken social code of racial segregation or discrimination
a decades-long campaign by African Americans and their like-minded allies to end institutionalized racial discrimination, disenfranchisement and racial segregation in the United States.
3 answers
Here are some of the most interesting aspects of the passage about Jackie Robinson and how he changed baseball:
Historical Significance: Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in 1947, challenging the long-standing racial segregation in professional sports and paving the way for future athletes of color.
Early Life and Struggles: Born into a challenging environment in Georgia and later moved to California, Robinson faced poverty and the absence of his father from an early age. His athletic prowess emerged in high school and continued through college despite the racial obstacles he faced.
Courage in Confronting Racism: Robinson actively stood up against racial oppression, including incidents during his time in the military, which showcased his willingness to confront injustice head-on and established a reputation for courage.
Path to the Major Leagues: After playing in the Negro Leagues, Robinson was recruited by Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers. The manager tested Robinson’s resolve by asking if he could withstand the inevitable discrimination without retaliating, highlighting the immense pressure he would face.
Discrimination and Team Support: Despite facing hostility from some teammates and opposing players — including physical violence and verbal insults — Robinson gained the support of Dodgers management, who recognized his potential to succeed and promote the team's fortunes.
Advancements in the Game: Robinson not only broke barriers but also transformed play on the field, inspiring aggressive base-running strategies that influenced baseball tactics for years to come.
Legacy and Influence: Robinson’s impact extended beyond the baseball diamond; he became an emblem of the Civil Rights Movement, serving as a heroic figure who inspired others to fight against racial discrimination and injustice.
Awards and Recognition: His achievements included winning the Rookie of the Year award in 1947 and being elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, underscoring his legacy as one of the sport's all-time greats.
These points collectively underscore not just Robinson's athletic achievements, but also his role as a trailblazer in the fight for racial equality in America.
so how did he change baseball
Jackie Robinson changed baseball in several significant ways:
Breaking the Color Barrier: By becoming the first African American to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in 1947, Robinson shattered the long-standing racial segregation that had excluded Black players from the league since the 1880s. His debut opened the door for other African American and minority players to join MLB.
Inspiring Future Generations: Robinson's successful integration into baseball inspired future generations of athletes of color, encouraging them to pursue professional sports despite the prevailing racial prejudices. His presence in the league served as a beacon of possibility for young Black athletes.
Changing Team Dynamics: Robinson's arrival forced MLB teams to confront racial issues and adapt to a more integrated roster. His success led to a gradual increase in the number of African American players in MLB, eventually contributing to a more diverse league.
Influencing Playing Style: Robinson brought a dynamic playing style that emphasized speed and aggressive base-running. He introduced strategies that transformed the game, promoting a more exciting and fast-paced approach that influenced how baseball was played for years to come.
Promoting Social Change: Beyond his on-field achievements, Robinson became a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement. His visibility as a successful, talented African American athlete provided a platform that highlighted the struggles against racial discrimination, lending support to broader social justice causes.
Advancing Racial Equity in Sports: Robinson's successful career in baseball set a precedent for racial integration in other professional sports. His accomplishments and challenges laid the groundwork for future athletes, encouraging the eventual inclusion of African American players across various sports.
Legacy and Recognition: Robinson’s impact on baseball and society was recognized through numerous honors, including his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. His legacy continues to influence discussions about race, equality, and social justice in sports today.
In summary, Jackie Robinson's entry into Major League Baseball represented a significant social breakthrough and brought about lasting changes in the sport, both in terms of the integration of players and the overall culture of baseball.
1 answer