The date April 15, 1947 was an
important one for African Americans. On that day, Jack Roosevelt Robinson
(1919-1972), better known as Jackie Robinson, became the first African-American
Major League Baseball player.
As a member of the Montreal Royals
(AAA farm team) and later the Brooklyn Dodgers, Robinson is remembered not only
for his athleticism, but for breaking the color barrier as well. In fact, his
impact was so great that Larry Doby, the first African-American baseball player
in the American League, joined the Cleveland Indians only three months later.
African American Satchel Paige also became a Cleveland Indian the following
year. Jackie Robinson became a heroic symbol in African-American communities
and served as an inspiration to those who had never been given equal
opportunities to succeed.
Robinson had been a stellar athlete
in college as well, lettering in four sports at the University of California at
Los Angeles. Brought to the major leagues by the Brooklyn Dodgers' general
manager Branch Rickey, Robinson endured death threats, physical abuse, and
taunting. In the end, however, Robinson stood victorious by becoming the
first-ever Rookie of the Year in Major League Baseball, winner of the National
League batting title, and Most Valuable Player for the 1949 season. Because of
his success, increasing numbers of African Americans began to play professional
sports.
I'm glad you found so much great information about Jackie Robinson. He is certainly a remarkable player in MLB history.
ReplyDeleteIt'd be great if you go back and paraphrase and use your own words for this entry since it seems this information is from: http://library.thinkquest.org.
Please use the websites given in the blog assignment to get additional details.
Great information!
ReplyDeleteBut it would be more better if you could put pictures in this too :)
Yea I agree with Keeyu because you are suppose to put picture too. You will lose points if you done put picture. So, i suggest you to go back and put a picture.
ReplyDeleteThe "color barrier" immediately reminds me of another pertinent story that actually happened in Europe. Does anyone know about an athlete who in 1936 participated in the Berlin Olympics? Is it possible to imagine this situation: Hitler has two Jewish athletes removed from the 400-meter relay race only to watch another American – an African American – win the long jump! No shaking hands in Hitler’s private stadium area afterwards, oh no …..
ReplyDelete