“ I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me…all I ask is that you respect me as a human being” -Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson

Who is Jackie Robinson? Born On January 31 st 1919,Jackie Robinson was the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball. Breaking the color barrier in 1947, Jackie Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Early Life The Robinson Family lived in Pasadena, California. Jackie was the youngest of five children. Because of the relative poverty the Robinsons lived in, Jackie’s mom worked many odd jobs. Since Jackie and his friends weren’t allowed to participate in recreational activities, Jackie joined a gang but one of his friends convinced him to stay out of it. The Robinson Family lived in Pasadena, California. Jackie was the youngest of five children. Because of the relative poverty the Robinsons lived in, Jackie’s mom worked many odd jobs. Since Jackie and his friends weren’t allowed to participate in recreational activities, Jackie joined a gang but one of his friends convinced him to stay out of it.

Jackie Robinson was successful in many sports including track, basketball, football and baseball, all in which he lettered. While attending Pasadena Junior College, Jackie Robinson was arrested for debating against the detention of his friend. Robinson also was drafted into the military. Jackie Robinson was successful in many sports including track, basketball, football and baseball, all in which he lettered. While attending Pasadena Junior College, Jackie Robinson was arrested for debating against the detention of his friend. Robinson also was drafted into the military.

“You can hate a man for many reasons. Color is not one of them” - Pee Wee Reese

What did Jackie Robinson overcome? When Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers, he received a lot of hate and racism. During a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Brooklyn Dodgers, some of the Philadelphia players called Jackie out of his name and told him to “go back to the cotton fields”. But not even that stopped Jackie from playing baseball.

In the following year, teammate Pee Wee Reese said to Robinson “ You can hate a man for many reasons. Color is not one of them.” Before game when the crowd was shouting out hateful words Reese put his arm around Robinson.

What made it such a big deal ? And Why didn’t he give up? The racism Jackie overcame was such a big deal because its not right to hate someone for what they look like on the outside. Anyone could’ve came after Jackie or anybody affiliated with him. Jackie Robinson took a Risk with being a part of MLB(Major League Baseball), but because he took the risk the color barrier is now broken and the teams today are combined with many different races. Robinson did not give up because he wasn’t going to let anyone stop him from doing what he wanted. The racism Jackie overcame was such a big deal because its not right to hate someone for what they look like on the outside. Anyone could’ve came after Jackie or anybody affiliated with him. Jackie Robinson took a Risk with being a part of MLB(Major League Baseball), but because he took the risk the color barrier is now broken and the teams today are combined with many different races. Robinson did not give up because he wasn’t going to let anyone stop him from doing what he wanted.

Personal Life Jackie Robinson married and had three children. Jackie Robinson retired from MLB on January 5, 1957 and was diagnosed with diabetes. The number 42, the number on his jersey was also retired. Toward the end of his life Jackie was an anti-drug crusader, due to the death of his eldest son who had a drug addiction. On October 24 th 1972, Jackie Robinson Died of a heart attack. Jackie Robinson married and had three children. Jackie Robinson retired from MLB on January 5, 1957 and was diagnosed with diabetes. The number 42, the number on his jersey was also retired. Toward the end of his life Jackie was an anti-drug crusader, due to the death of his eldest son who had a drug addiction. On October 24 th 1972, Jackie Robinson Died of a heart attack.

The Legacy left behind. Jackie Robinson earned many achievements. A poll that was taken in 1947 claims that Jackie was the second most famous man in the country, Bing Crosby was first. Robinson is included in numerous top 100 list, some are, 100 most influential people of the twentieth century,100 greatest baseball players, and so on. After his death, the “Rookie of the year award” was renamed the “Jackie Robinson award”. On Jackie Robinson day, April 15, MLB honors Robinson by wearing the number 42. Many buildings have been named after Jackie Robinson, even a stadium. Jackie Robinson earned many achievements. A poll that was taken in 1947 claims that Jackie was the second most famous man in the country, Bing Crosby was first. Robinson is included in numerous top 100 list, some are, 100 most influential people of the twentieth century,100 greatest baseball players, and so on. After his death, the “Rookie of the year award” was renamed the “Jackie Robinson award”. On Jackie Robinson day, April 15, MLB honors Robinson by wearing the number 42. Many buildings have been named after Jackie Robinson, even a stadium.

Pictures Jackie RobinsonLeft to right: Martin Luther King jr. and Jackie Robinson

Credits PowerPoint by Lauren Collins Facts from Wikipedia Pictures from Google Images PowerPoint by Lauren Collins Facts from Wikipedia Pictures from Google Images