Jackie Robinson
Marsh9thEnglish
Background


January 31, 1919
Born in Cairo, Georgia
 Parents: Mallie and Jerry
 Fifth and last child
 Father left family when
Jackie was 6 months old
Pasadena

Family moved here in
1920
 Lived in white
neighborhood
 Attended John Muir
Technical High School
College
Attended Pasadena JC in 1938
 Enrolled in UCLA in 1939
 Lettered in 4 sports

Military Career

Drafted in 1941
 WWII veteran
 Wanted to serve his country
 Received 2nd lieutenants
bar in 1943
Negro League

Tried out for Red Sox
 Played for K.C. in 1945
 Negro League had fewer
fans, less media attention
and lower pay than MLB
 Meals were bad and
hard to come by
Branch Rickey

President of Dodger Organization
 Wanted to bring Negro players
onto his team
 Met on August 28, 1945
 Agreed to contract to
play for AAA Montreal
First Year

Began March 1946
 Roomed with
Johnny Wright
 Practice was moved
after two days on
account of threats
 Lead team to
championship
Breaking the Barrier
Called up April 9, 1947
 First career game on April 15, 1947

Overcoming Adversities

Racial insults, snubs,
and name-calling
 Viciously pitched
balls
 Off-the-field threats
to hurt family
Career

Rookie of the Year in
1947
 1949 was named NL
MVP
 Won only World
Series in 1955
Beginning of a New Career

Retired in January 1957
 Employed at Chock
Full O’Nuts
 Special assistant
to Rockerfeller
 Set up Freedom National Bank
Personal Tragedies

Branch Rickey died
 His mother died
 Jackie, Jr. arrested for
drugs and later killed
in car accident
Final Days

Elected into Hall of
Fame
 Number 42 retired
 Diabetes and heart
disease
 October 24, 1972 died of
heart attack
Impact on the Game and
Society

Pioneered the advent of AfricanAmerican athletes in the sport.
 His difficulties and successes
operate as indicators of the racial
tensions of the 40’s
 Outside of baseball did
Robinson’s life and story
transform American racial
ideology?