Born Jack Roosevelt Robinson in the small town, Cairo, Georgia to sharecroppers and 4 older siblings, Jackie would turn into baseball’s biggest hero.72 years ago, Jackie made his MLB debut and what was to come would change the sport forever.
Throughout his career, Robinson faced all kinds of adversity, much of which he would overcome. In 1947, when Jackie made his MLB debut he became the first African American to ever play in the MLB. While the pressure to succeed in a white man’s sport was not enough, Robinson had to earn the acceptance and respect from not only the fans but his own teammates as well. While his teammates were skeptical at first, they were quick to realize how humble and how great of a person and ballplayer he was. “ Maybe one day we’ll all wear 42, so they can’t tell us apart.” Robinson’s teammate, Pee Wee Reese once famously said.
The fans and opposing players, however, were not so quick to accept Robinson into their game. Teams often times threw at Jackie’s head and would purposely step on his ankle while fielding. Fans were no better. He experienced veral as well as physical abuse from the fans. Derogatory names were yelled at Robinson on a daily basis, as well as objects such as food and baseballs were thrown at him from fans in the stands. The hate would follow him through his first season, however Robinson tried to not let it affect him and was rewarded with the NL Rookie of the Year Award after the 1947 season.
Robinson enjoyed a successful 10 year MLB career, which included the 1947 Rookie of the Year award, as well as the 1949 Most Valuable Player Award. He was a 6 time all star and also helped the Brooklyn Dodgers win the 1955 World Series.
Robinson once told future Hall of Fame inductee Hank Aaron that “the game of baseball is great, but the greatest thing is what you do after your career is over.” Robinson would continue to be involved with the game of baseball after he retired. He continued to give back to the game that gave so much to him.
Jackie Robinson, the man that broke the color barrier in the game of baseball, will forever hold a tremendous impact on the game. On January 31st, his birthday, we remember Jackie and the impact he has had for so many in the game of baseball today. He would have been 100 years old this year and the MLB will honor Mr. Robinson throughout the 2019 season for his contributions he has made towards baseball. “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”
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