1. JACKIE ROBINSON An ABC Biography By Rafael Renteria

2. A is for African American. Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. B is for born. Jackie Robinson was born on January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia

3. C is for children. Jack had three children; Jack Jr., Sharon and David. D is for death date. Jackie Robinson died October 24, 1972 in Stamford, CT. He was 53 years old.

4. E is for education. Jackie Robinson attended the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). F is for foundation. In 1973, Jackie Robinson’s wife created the Jackie Robinson Foundation. The foundation helps minority students go to college.

5. G is for Giants. Jackie Robinson was almost traded to the Giants, but he retired instead. H is for Hall of Fame. Jackie Robinson was also the first African American inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame.

6. I is for insults. When Jackie started playing in the Major Leagues the crowd, his teammates and other players would yell insults at him. J is for Jack. His full name was Jack Roosevelt Robinson.

7. K is for Kanas City. Jackie Robinson played for the Kanas City Monarchs in the Negroes Leagues. L is for lifetime stats. Jackie Robinson had a batting average of.311, 137 homeruns and 734 Runs Batted In during his career.

8. M is for major league. Jackie Robinson made his major league debut on April 15, 1947. N is for number. In 1997 the MLB retired Jackie Robinson’s jersey number, 42, so that no other baseball player can ever use that number again.

9. O is for October. On October 23 rd Jackie signed a contract with Branch Rickey and the Dodgers. P is for parents. His parents were Jerry and Mollie Robinson.

10. Q is for quote. “I’m not concerned with you liking or disliking me… All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.” R is for retired. He retired from baseball at age 53.

11. S is for spouse. Jackie’s spouse was Rachel Isum. They got married in 1946. T is for tombstone. The words “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives” are written on Jackie Robinson’s tombstone.

12. U is for Upper Deck. A 1947 Jackie Robinson Upper Deck baseball card is worth about $1,800. V is for veteran. Jackie Robinson served in the Army during World War II.

13. W is for World Series. Jackie Robinson played in six World Series, but only won one championship. X is for eXcellent athlete. Jackie Robinson was an excellent athlete in many sports. He lettered in 4 sports while at UCLA.

14. Y is for Yankees. The only World Series win Jackie Robinson had was against the Yankees. However, he also lost 3 championships to the Yankees. Z is for Jay- Z. The song “Brooklyn” by Jay Z will be featured in the upcoming movie about Jackie Robinson’s life called “42.”