Breaking the Color Barrier
Jackie Robinson might not have known this at the time, but he had greater achievements and challenges ahead of him even while playing for the KC Monarchs. The president of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Branch Rickey, came up to Jackie in 1947 to talk about possibly joining the Brooklyn Dodgers. Rickey chose Jackie because he wanted a man who could stop himself from responding in aggressive ways to the racial challenges that would soon come. The last time that the Major Leagues had an African-American on their roster was in 1889, which was when baseball became segregated. Jackie decided to join the Dodgers, but first, he had to play for the Montreal Royals, the largest farm team for the Brooklyn Dodgers, in 1946. Because of spring training with the Royals, Jackie moved to Florida. He had an amazing rookie career with the Royals. In his one year with them, he led the International League with a .985 fielding percentage and a .349 batting average. His outstanding year would eventually lead to a Little World Series title for the Royals and a promotion to the Brooklyn Dodgers.
When he finally put on the Brooklyn Dodgers uniform for the first time, he changed the face of segregation in America's professional sports. He played his debut game for the Dodgers in Ebbets Field, their home field, on April 15, 1947, at first base, making history as the first African-American to play in the Major Leagues. Just one year after Jackie's debut year, President Harry Truman got rid of all segregation in the military. The Supreme Court would rule segregation in all public schools unconstitutional just seven years after his debut game. By responding to racial hate and insults with silence, Jackie would earn the respect of his fellow teammates, and eventually, his opposition.
Many claim that the most exciting thing about watching Jackie Robinson play baseball was his amazing ability to steal bases, even home (19 times). He would be the source of the confident spirit in the Brooklyn Dodgers for ten years, carrying them to six pennants. Everyone was amazed at Jackie's ability to run, steal, bunt, and hit.
By breaking baseball's color barrier, Jackie bravely took a stand against segregation in not only baseball, but all of America.
When he finally put on the Brooklyn Dodgers uniform for the first time, he changed the face of segregation in America's professional sports. He played his debut game for the Dodgers in Ebbets Field, their home field, on April 15, 1947, at first base, making history as the first African-American to play in the Major Leagues. Just one year after Jackie's debut year, President Harry Truman got rid of all segregation in the military. The Supreme Court would rule segregation in all public schools unconstitutional just seven years after his debut game. By responding to racial hate and insults with silence, Jackie would earn the respect of his fellow teammates, and eventually, his opposition.
Many claim that the most exciting thing about watching Jackie Robinson play baseball was his amazing ability to steal bases, even home (19 times). He would be the source of the confident spirit in the Brooklyn Dodgers for ten years, carrying them to six pennants. Everyone was amazed at Jackie's ability to run, steal, bunt, and hit.
By breaking baseball's color barrier, Jackie bravely took a stand against segregation in not only baseball, but all of America.