Jackie Robinson Biography

The Jackie Robinson biography offers fascinating insight into how quickly America's attitudes toward race can change. Today we take it for granted that talented atheletes of any race, or indeed any nation, can succeed in professional sports. As the Jackie Robinson story illustrates, that wasn't always the case.

Early Years
Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born to sharecroppers in 1919 in Cairo, Georgia. They were the only black family in their immediate neighborhood. Acts of prejudice faced by Robinson, his four siblings and his mother served to bond the family closely together. His mother, Mallie Robinson, raised Jackie and his siblings alone.

College Years
Jackie had natural athletic talent, which he nurtured. He attended UCLA and was the first athlete in the school's history to letter in four sports: football, track, baseball and basketball. He was a member of the All American Football Team in 1941, although he was unable to stay in college due to financial difficulties.

Jackie joined the army, serving for two years. He rose to the rank of Second Lieutenant but couldn't keep quiet about the racial discrimination he witnessed toward other African-American soldiers. His sharp tongue earned him a court-martial that led to an honorable discharge.

Baseball career
Back at home, Robinson rekindled his love for baseball. He travelled and played for the Negro Baseball League, on the Kansas City Monarchs. During World War II, many black and white professional baseball players went overseas to fight for the United States. This left Major League Baseball with a slim roster of talent, so many fans discovered the negro and women's baseball leagues.

After the war, Major League Baseball took notice of the standout players from the Negro League, including Robinson, Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe, who were all scouted by Branch Rickey, President of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson won the starting spot for a simple reason: his experiences as a child and in the Army had prepared him to stand up to racial slurs and irrational hatred. Rickey tested this by calling Robinson into his office and shouting racial slurs at him, to see how Robinson would react.

Robinson became the first African American to play professional baseball, joining the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. At the end of his first year, he was named National League Rookie of the Year. Two years later, Robinson was named the National League's most valuable player. In 1962, Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Campanella and Newcombe quickly joined Robinson in the professional baseball ranks.

Jackie's Legacy
Robinson left his mark as someone who constantly strived to stand up for racial equality. Using his skill at baseball, Robinson challenged the establishment with good sportsmanship and courage in the face of threats and questions about his ability. On the 50th anniversary of his first game, in 1997, every team in Major Leage Baseball retired the number 42, which Robinson wore. We can see his lasting impact every time we watch professional baseball. The Jackie Robinson Scholarship, established by Robinson's wife in 1973, provides college money for minority students who are leaders in their communities.