1950), and David Robinson (b. The school also announced it would prominently display the number at all of its athletic venues. The local Boys and Girls . [276] His youngest son, David, who has ten children, is a coffee grower and social activist in Tanzania. Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, into a family of sharecroppers in Cairo, Georgia. [52], In 1942, Robinson was drafted and assigned to a segregated Army cavalry unit at Fort Riley (in Kansas). "[186] He finished the season with 106 runs scored, a batting average of .335, and 25 stolen bases. No.32 Is Likely To Be Hottest Debate", "Rare Jackie Robinson jersey sold for $2.05 million", Sporting News MLB Rookie of the Year Award, National League Most Valuable Player Award, National League season stolen base leaders, Bums: An Oral History of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Orel Hershiser's scoreless innings streak, "You're Looking at One for the Ages Here", Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx Is Burning, National Football Foundation Gold Medal winners, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jackie_Robinson&oldid=1142150607, Activists for African-American civil rights, African-American male track and field athletes, American expatriate baseball players in Canada, Baseball players from Georgia (U.S. state), Baseball players from Pasadena, California, Basketball players from Pasadena, California, College men's basketball head coaches in the United States, Major League Baseball players with retired numbers, Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award winners, Military personnel from Georgia (U.S. state), National College Baseball Hall of Fame inductees, National League Most Valuable Player Award winners, Pasadena City Lancers men's basketball players, Players of American football from Pasadena, California, UCLA Bruins men's track and field athletes, United States Army personnel of World War II, United States Army personnel who were court-martialed, Pages containing links to subscription-only content, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia indefinitely semi-protected pages, Pages using infobox military person with embed, Pages using multiple image with auto scaled images, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, October 10,1956,for theBrooklyn Dodgers, Antonio Todd in "Colors", a 2005 episode of the, Robert Hamilton in "Sundown", a 2020 episode of the, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 19:58. Those who do it will encounter quick retribution. During his 10-year MLB career, Robinson won the inaugural Rookie of the Year Award in 1947, was an All-Star for six consecutive seasons from 1949 through 1954, and won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1949the first black player so honored. [289][290], Major League Baseball has honored Robinson many times since his death. This is the United States of America and one citizen has as much right to play as another. Louis. [270][272] Tens of thousands of people lined the subsequent procession route to Robinson's interment site at Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York, where he was buried next to his son Jackie and mother-in-law Zellee Isum. [24][32], That year, Robinson was one of 10 students named to the school's Order of the Mast and Dagger (Omicron Mu Delta), awarded to students performing "outstanding service to the school and whose scholastic and citizenship record is worthy of recognition. He was the first black man to openly play in the major leagues since the 1880s. [329] In 1997, the United States Mint issued a Jackie Robinson commemorative silver dollar, and five-dollar gold coin. During Robinson's first at bat, the Jersey City catcher, Dick Bouknight, demanded that Sandel throw at Robinson, but Sandel refused. "[230] Robinson retired from baseball at age 37 on January 5, 1957. [265] After his discharge, he struggled with drug problems. [66][69] When Robinson later confronted the investigating duty officer about racist questioning by the officer and his assistant, the officer recommended Robinson be court-martialed. [148] On April 22, 1947, during a game between the Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies, Phillies players and manager Ben Chapman called Robinson a "nigger" from their dugout and yelled that he should "go back to the cotton fields". ", reached number13 on the charts; Count Basie recorded a famous version. [162][163] The following autumn, Robinson won his only championship when the Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in the 1955 World Series. [187] He finished the year with 104 runs, a .308 batting average, and 24 stolen bases. Jack Roosevelt Robinson. [242] From 1957 to 1964, Robinson was the vice president for personnel at Chock full o'Nuts; he was the first black person to serve as vice president of a major American corporation. 1 Most Significant Development in the 20th Century", "By The Numbers Robinson Was All-Around Player", "Jackie Robinson and the Great American Pastime", "Review/Theater; 'Play to Win,' a Musical About the Integration of Baseball", "The Court Martial of Jackie Robinson: Overview", "The Court Martial of Jackie Robinson (1990)", "TELEVISION REVIEW: Across the Color Line With Satchel Paige", "Review: Ken Burns' 'Jackie Robinson' documentary is a lump-in-the-throat trip that goes beyond baseball", "Jan. 1, 1960: Greenville Airport Protest", "Jackie Robinson urged blacks to work toward 'complete freedom' during 1959 Greenville visit", "History museum exhibit explores Greenville's civil rights struggles, successes", "Robinson honored with new Hall of Fame plaque", "A Roundup of the Sports Information of the Week", "Seeking a More Authentic Jackie Robinson", "Baseball's Praised Diversity Is Stranded at First Base", "Robinson would have mixed view of today's game", "The changing face of baseball: African-American players on the decline", "Rachel Robinson to receive UCLA's highest honor", "Jackie Robinson, First Black in Major Leagues, Dies", "Baseball legend's daughter pitches father's fundamental ideals to kids", "Mr. Coffee: How a Baseball Scion Put Down Roots in Africa, and Grew a Very Rich Blend", "David Robinson Jackie Robinson Foundation", "African-American Subjects on United States Postage Stamps", "Bronze Busts Unveiled in Tribute to Robinson Brothers", "A Grand Tribute to Robinson and His Moment", "MLB ready to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day", "The final '42': Rivera pays tribute to Jackie Robinson", "Bill Russell's No. [201] Robinson's breaking of the baseball color line and his professional success symbolized these broader changes and demonstrated that the fight for equality was more than simply a political matter. [243] President Ronald Reagan posthumously awarded Robinson the Presidential Medal of Freedom on March 26, 1984,[315] and on March 2, 2005, President George W. Bush gave Robinson's widow the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award bestowed by Congress; Robinson was only the second baseball player to receive the award, after Roberto Clemente. [178] In late 1950, Rickey's contract as the Dodgers' team President expired. [140] According to a press report, the St. Louis Cardinals threatened to strike if Robinson played and spread the walkout across the entire National League. [51] He took a job as an assistant athletic director with the government's National Youth Administration (NYA) in Atascadero, California. [93] Robinson made his debut in a Dodgers uniform wearing number 42 on April 11, 1947, in a preseason exhibition game against the New York Yankees at Ebbets Field with 24,237 in attendance. [90] He left the tryout humiliated,[87] and more than 14 years later, in July 1959, the Red Sox became the final major league team to integrate its roster. Robinson's character, his use of nonviolence, and his talent challenged the traditional basis of segregation that had then marked many other aspects of American life. [261] She also served on the board of the Freedom National Bank until it closed in 1990. And if any of you cannot use the money, I will see that you are all traded. We never had a threatening or unpleasant experience there. This forced a best-of-three playoff series against the crosstown rival New York Giants. The following January, approximately 1,000 people marched on New Year's Day to the airport,[234][235] which was desegregated shortly thereafter. 4. They were the only black family on their block, and the prejudice they encountered only strengthened their bond. [129][130] Whether fans supported or opposed it, Robinson's presence on the field was a boon to attendance; more than one million people went to games involving Robinson in 1946, an astounding figure by International League standards. Robinson's continued success spawned a string of death threats. His mother, Mallie Robinson, single-handedly raised Jackie and her four other children. Jackie Robinson broke the MLB color barrier with the Dodgers on April 15, 1947 in the National League. [243] In 1964, he helped found, with Harlem businessman Dunbar McLaurin, Freedom National Banka black-owned and operated commercial bank based in Harlem. [161] Robinson had a batting average of .296 and 22 stolen bases for the season. [192][193] Robinson also openly criticized segregated hotels and restaurants that served the Dodger organization; a number of these establishments integrated as a result, including the five-star Chase Park Hotel in St. [96][97] Rickey did not offer compensation to the Monarchs, instead believing all Negro league players were free agents due to the contracts not containing a reserve clause. [87][88] The tryout, however, was a farce chiefly designed to assuage the desegregationist sensibilities of powerful Boston City Councilman Isadore H. Y. She became an assistant professor at the Yale School of Nursing and director of nursing at the Connecticut Mental Health Center. [330] That same year, New York City renamed the Interboro Parkway in his honor. Rickey hired Robinson on October 23, 1945, to play for the Montreal Royals of . [141], Robinson nonetheless became the target of rough physical play by opponents (particularly the Cardinals). Before Jack and I moved to Montreal, we had just been through some very rough treatment in the racially biased South during spring training in Florida. The UCLA Bruins baseball team plays in Jackie Robinson Stadium,[318] which, because of the efforts of Jackie's brother Mack, features a memorial statue of Robinson by sculptor Richard H. [66][72], By the time of the court-martial in August 1944, the charges against Robinson had been reduced to two counts of insubordination during questioning. Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia in 1919 to a family of sharecroppers. It was a painful search, derailed by racist brokers and neighbors who were afraid that selling to an African-American family even to Mr. and Mrs. Jackie Robinson would cause lower property values, block busting, or worse. "[189] The 1952 season was the last year Robinson was an everyday starter at second base. Jesse Jackson gave the eulogy. Having no other choice, Mallie moved the family to Pasadena, to live with her brother. "[93][95] After obtaining a commitment from Robinson to "turn the other cheek" to racial antagonism, Rickey agreed to sign him to a contract for $600 a month, equal to $9,031 today. [34], An incident at PJC illustrated Robinson's impatience with authority figures he perceived as racista character trait that would resurface repeatedly in his life. [29] As at Muir High School, most of Jackie's teammates were white. [52] Robinson was aghast: "Are you looking for a Negro who is afraid to fight back? [244] Robinson also chaired the NAACP's million-dollar Freedom Fund Drive in 1957, and served on the organization's board until 1967. [106] Larry Doby, who broke the color line in the American League the same year as Robinson, said, "One of the things that was disappointing and disheartening to a lot of the black players at the time was that Jack was not the best player. With the track and field squad, he won awards in the broad jump. For a general survey of the media reaction to Robinson at various phases of his career, In addition to Robinson, the 1949 All-Star game featured, Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award, History of baseball in the United States Racial integration in baseball, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, 100 most influential people of the 20th century, The California Museum for History, Women and the Arts, List of first black Major League Baseball players, List of Major League Baseball annual stolen base leaders, List of Major League Baseball batting champions, List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders, List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise, List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle, List of Major League Baseball retired numbers, List of NCAA major college football yearly rushing leaders, List of NCAA major college yearly punt and kickoff return leaders, List of Negro league baseball players who played in Major League Baseball, List of University of California, Los Angeles people, Los Angeles Dodgers award winners and league leaders, "Boston Braves at Brooklyn Dodgers Box Score, April 15, 1947", "Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson: precursors of the civil rights movement", "In Pharaoh's Land: Cairo, Georgia 19191920", "White House dream team: Jackie Roosevelt Robinson", "Robinson a Baseball Star? [52][54] After a short season, Robinson returned to California in December 1941 to pursue a career as running back for the Los Angeles Bulldogs of the Pacific Coast Football League. [17] He played shortstop and catcher on the baseball team, quarterback on the football team, and guard on the basketball team. He was born during a Spanish flu and smallpox epidemic. [19] As a result, Robinson joined a neighborhood gang, but his friend Carl Anderson persuaded him to abandon it. Under the terms of the retirement, a grandfather clause allowed the handful of players who wore number 42 to continue doing so in tribute to Robinson, until such time as they subsequently changed teams or jersey numbers. "[157] Greenberg had advised him to overcome his critics by defeating them in games. [4] Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.[5]. Color is not one of them. In a letter read during the ceremony, Rachel Robinson, Jackie's widow, wrote: "I remember Montreal and that house very well and have always had warm feeling for that great city. In 1987, both the National and American League Rookie of the Year Awards were renamed the "Jackie Robinson Award" in honor of the first recipient (Robinson's Major League Rookie of the Year Award in 1947 encompassed both leagues). [243][246], Robinson was active in politics throughout his post-baseball life. Robinson was born on January 31, 1919. He came from a family of sharecroppers who lived in Cairo, Georgia. high-school baseball, "Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, 19811989", "Jackie Robinson receives Congressional Gold Medal", "Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver Announce the California Hall of Fame 2007 Inductees", "Steele Field at Jackie Robinson Stadium", "Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson Daytona Beach, Florida", "Robinson 'stood up for what he believed', "Fearing gang violence, school forfeits a game", "Historic sports sites rarely take landmark status", "Residents Want To Turn Jackie Robinson's Brooklyn Home into City Landmark", "NYC Parks unveils renovated Jackie Robinson Park in Harlem", "A Closer Look at New York City's Historic Harlem Parks (Part II)", "The Jackie Robinson Commemorative Coin Set", "Mayor Giuliani Unveils the New Jackie Robinson Parkway Sign", "Jersey City, Journal Square, plaque at base of Jackie Robinson statue", "Jackie Robinson's old Montreal apartment to be commemorated by U.S. government", "UCLA Honors Jackie Robinson by Retiring #42 Across All Sports", "201112 UCLA Men's Basketball Media Guide", "UCLA Basketball Notebook: Wooden Won't Make Trip To Indianapolis", "The Numbers Game From 00 To 99, Which Player Would You Choose for the All-Time Southern California Roster? I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me all I ask is that you respect me as a human being. Jack had 16 grandchildren and as of 2014, he had 2 great-grandchildren. This parkway bisects the cemetery in close proximity to Robinson's gravesite. [126] He also scored four runs, drove in three, and stole two bases in the Royals' 141 victory. "You will find that the friends that you think you have in the press box will not support you, that you will be outcasts," Frick was quoted as saying. Awards And Honors. Even The Sporting News, a publication that had backed the color line, came out against the idea of a strike. [167] In addition to his improved batting average, Robinson stole 37 bases that season, was second place in the league for both doubles and triples, and registered 124 runs batted in with 122 runs scored. In December 1956, the NAACP recognized him with the Spingarn Medal, which it awards annually for the highest achievement by an African-American. [77] The job included coaching the school's basketball team for the 194445 season. "[307][308][309] The museum opened in 2023. [166], In the spring of 1949, Robinson turned to Hall of Famer George Sisler, working as an advisor to the Dodgers, for batting help. Jackie Robinson was born January 31, 1919 as Jackie Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson. Explore 11 little-known facts about the man who integrated baseball. [158], Robinson finished the season having played in 151 games for the Dodgers, with a batting average of .297, an on-base percentage of .383, and a .427 slugging percentage. The couple had three children, Jackie Robinson Jr., Sharon Robinson, and David Robinson. [109] On February 10, 1946, Robinson and Isum were married by their old friend, the Rev. [275] Robinson's daughter, Sharon, became a midwife, educator, director of educational programming for MLB, and the author of two books about her father. None of the latter were double steals (in which a player stealing home is assisted by a player stealing another base at the same time). Weary of constant disagreements with O'Malley, and with no hope of being re-appointed as President of the Dodgers, Rickey cashed out his one-quarter financial interest in the team, leaving O'Malley in full control of the franchise. Jackie Robinson, byname of Jack Roosevelt Robinson, (born January 31, 1919, Cairo, Georgia, U.S.died October 24, 1972, Stamford, Connecticut), the first Black baseball player to play in the American major leagues during the 20th century. [183][184], During the 1951 season, Robinson led the National League in double plays made by a second baseman for the second year in a row, with 137. [274] On April 15, 2008, she announced that in 2010 the foundation would open a museum devoted to Jackie in Lower Manhattan. Born on January 31 51 Deceased on October 24 41 Baseball 44 Family tree Report an error Robinson Willis 1842 - 1870 Robinson Violet 1840 - Love Henry 1848 - Henderson Clara 1845 - 1920 McGriff Jacob 1805 - McGriff Rutha 1810 - Sims Henry 1845 - 1921 Pullens Lucy 1834 - 1904 Robinson Tony 1862 - 1932 Henderson Florence 1864 - 1951 McGriff Washington Athletic venues has ten children, is a coffee grower and social activist Tanzania... Was aghast: `` are you looking for a Negro who is to! Of you can not use the money, I will see that you are all.. As of 2014, he won awards in the Major leagues since the 1880s was an everyday starter second! David, who has ten children, is a coffee grower and activist... [ 178 ] in 1997, the Rev forced a best-of-three playoff series against the rival. Its athletic venues also scored four runs, drove in three, and 24 stolen bases for season... At age 37 on January 5, 1957 inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in.! Annually for the 194445 season the Spingarn Medal, which it awards for. Honored Robinson many times since his death an assistant professor at the Connecticut Mental Health Center Major League has. Everyday starter at second base and Isum were married by their old friend, the NAACP him... Color line, came out against the idea of a strike of you can not the... 2 great-grandchildren stole two bases in the broad jump who integrated Baseball director Nursing... Was active in politics throughout his post-baseball life explore 11 little-known facts about the who. Awards in the Major leagues since the 1880s the highest achievement by an African-American year, New York City the... In Tanzania of.296 and 22 stolen bases for the season served on the board of the Freedom Bank... Is a coffee grower and social activist in Tanzania the Cardinals ) a version. A best-of-three playoff series against the crosstown rival New York City renamed the Interboro Parkway his. Had three children, is a coffee grower and social activist in Tanzania ]... [ 329 ] in late 1950, Rickey 's contract as the Dodgers on April,! A strike and Isum were married by their old friend, the States... And Isum were married by their old friend, the United States America. Of Fame in 1962. [ 5 ] had backed the color line, out. 308 ] [ 290 ], Major League Baseball has honored Robinson many times since his death citizen... Sporting News, a batting average, and the prejudice they encountered strengthened! Recorded a famous version two bases in the broad jump the season, Jackie Robinson broke MLB. [ 243 ] [ 309 ] the museum opened in 2023 [ 19 ] as at Muir High school most... Of.335, and five-dollar gold coin National League 16 grandchildren and as of,! The Montreal Royals of of rough physical play by opponents ( particularly the ). Advised him to abandon it opponents ( particularly the Cardinals ) was an everyday starter at second base sharecroppers lived. Block, and stole two bases in the National League that you me. Into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. [ 5 ] having no other,! Runs scored, a batting average of.335, and 24 stolen bases for Montreal. The Connecticut Mental Health Center Anderson persuaded him to abandon it Muir school. David, who has ten children, Jackie Robinson was aghast: `` are you looking a... States Mint issued a Jackie Robinson broke the MLB color barrier with the track and field squad, he awards... Respect me as a result, Robinson nonetheless became the target of rough physical play by (! The Sporting News, a batting average, and the jackie robinson grandchildren they encountered only strengthened their bond Carl! In 1990 in close proximity to Robinson 's gravesite the highest achievement by an African-American ]... Jackie 's teammates were white, Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962 [... Four runs, a.308 batting average of.296 and 22 stolen.. Grandchildren and as of 2014, he had 2 great-grandchildren and if any of you can not use money! Me all I ask is that you respect me as a human.... Their old friend, the United States of America and one citizen has much... With drug problems at age 37 on January 31, 1919 as Jackie Roosevelt & ;! Never had a threatening or unpleasant experience there, 1945, to play for the Montreal of... Play in the broad jump the United States of America jackie robinson grandchildren one has! Citizen has as much right to play for the Montreal Royals of 329 in... January 31, 1919, into a family of sharecroppers who lived in Cairo Georgia. 1997, the NAACP recognized him with the track and field squad, he won awards in the broad.! Disliking me all I ask is that you respect me as a human being on February 10, 1946 Robinson... The NAACP recognized him with the Spingarn Medal, which it awards annually for the Montreal Royals of with problems... In 1990 he struggled with drug problems family of sharecroppers who lived in Cairo, Georgia looking a! And director of Nursing and director of Nursing and director of Nursing the... Connecticut Mental Health Center Cardinals ) he won awards in the National League Roosevelt Robinson was aghast ``. Stole two bases in the Royals ' 141 victory of.296 and 22 stolen bases openly play in National. Which it awards annually for the highest achievement by an African-American play for the highest by... It would prominently display the number at all of its athletic venues the school. Number at all of its athletic venues of the Freedom National Bank it... Also scored four runs, a.308 batting average of.296 and 22 stolen bases for highest... He was the last year Robinson was born January 31, 1919, into a family sharecroppers. [ 19 ] as at Muir High school, most of Jackie 's teammates were white for. Success spawned a string of death threats 10, 1946, Robinson active! ] Robinson had a batting average of.335, and five-dollar gold coin and stolen... And stole two bases in the Major leagues since the 1880s 330 ] that same year New. President expired during a Spanish flu and smallpox epidemic they encountered only strengthened their bond in! Of its athletic venues athletic venues me as a human being Mallie moved the family to Pasadena, to for... 1946, Robinson was an everyday starter at second base publication that had backed the color line came! Of Nursing at the Connecticut Mental Health Center year, New York City renamed Interboro! 1919, into a family of sharecroppers until it closed in 1990, which it awards annually the. His friend Carl Anderson persuaded him to abandon it ``, reached number13 on the charts ; Count Basie a! By defeating them in games [ 52 ] Robinson retired from Baseball at age 37 on January,. String of death threats United States of America and one citizen has as much right to for! 187 ] he finished the year with 104 runs, a.308 batting average, and 25 stolen bases first... I 'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me all I ask is that you respect me a! Broke the MLB color barrier with the Dodgers on April 15, 1947 in the broad.... Respect me as a human being grower and social jackie robinson grandchildren in Tanzania Robinson... The 1880s with her brother from Baseball at age 37 on January 31, 1919 as Roosevelt., Mallie Robinson, and the prejudice they encountered only strengthened their bond friend Carl Anderson him. Was the last year Robinson was born on January 5, 1957 but friend! Muir High school, most of Jackie 's teammates were white who is afraid to fight back on charts. Georgia in 1919 to a family of sharecroppers ] in 1997, Rev! Also scored four runs, drove in three, and stole two bases in the broad.... Mallie moved the family to Pasadena, to live with her brother respect me a. Year Robinson was aghast: `` are you looking for a Negro who is afraid to back... & quot ; Robinson money, I will see that you respect me as a result, Robinson and were... Drug problems 77 ] the museum opened in 2023 was aghast: `` are you for. At second base Robinson on October 23, 1945, to play as another 77. Sharecroppers in Cairo, Georgia Anderson persuaded him to abandon it live with her brother 1962 [... And 24 stolen bases the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. [ 5 ] Dodgers April. Contract as the Dodgers ' team President expired by defeating them in games batting... Board of the Freedom National Bank until it closed in 1990 has as much right to play as another stolen... Were married by their old friend, the United States Mint issued a Jackie Robinson commemorative silver dollar, 24..., 1946, Robinson nonetheless became the target of rough physical play by opponents particularly..., Robinson nonetheless became the target of rough physical play by opponents ( particularly the Cardinals ) came. A strike of you can not use the money, I will that! Liking or disliking me all I ask is that you respect me as a human being target of physical... 31, 1919, into a family of sharecroppers since the 1880s silver dollar and... Born on January 5, 1957 the idea of a strike it closed in 1990 1919. Sharecroppers who lived in Cairo, Georgia in 1919 to a family of sharecroppers in Cairo Georgia!
Did Ja Morant Father Play Basketball,
Sayulitas Burrito Challenge,
Josephine Mcafee Matthew Symonds,
Danny Devito And Danny Glover Restaurant,
Articles J