Robinson was anti-race-based discrimination from the initial stages of his life itself when revolted in a non-violent manner when in military. Robinson was asked to move behind in a segregated bus by his commanding officer, after refusing to move he was court-martialed. Afterwards he was acquitted of all the charges and discharged honorably.
Robinson was an athlete and a champion in his college years, having done junior college from Pasadena junior college(PJC) and then University of California Los angeles(UCLA). He was school’s first athlete to win varsity letters in four sports; Baseball, Basketball, football and track.
Kansas city monarchs were in 1945 gave him an offer to play in professional Negro leagues. Seeing a professional league so disorganized, robinson wanted a way out. He started scouting major league teams for professional baseball. Robinson was approached by an ambitious Branch rickey, club president and general manager of Brooklyn dodgers. Branch was aiming to stand behind Robinson if he had the will to stand every racial abuse thrown at him. The interview lasted 3-hours and the following is an excerpt from it,
“Rickey asked Robinson if he could face the racial animus without taking the bait and reacting angrily—a concern given Robinson’s prior arguments with law enforcement officials at PJC and in the military. Robinson was aghast: “Are you looking for a Negro who is afraid to fight back?” Rickey replied that he needed a Negro player “with guts enough not to fight back.” 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 $8,350 today.” Courtesy:Wikipedia
The news spread like wildfire and what followed was history, joining the Montreal royals (Dodger’s Top team) and leading the international league with a .349 average and 40 stolen bases. He earned them a promotion would arguably be the right statement to make.
“It was the most eagerly anticipated debut in the annals of the national pastime,” authors Robert Lipsyte and Pete Levine wrote. “It represented both the dream and the fear of equal opportunity, and it would change forever the complexion of the game and the attitudes of Americans.” Courtesy:baseballhall.org
Robinson had an exceptional career ahead, a Rookie of the year award in his debut year 1947, an all star for six consecutive seasons from 49’ to 54’. National league MVP(most valuable player) in 1949 – again the first black player to be honored this award. Robinson contributed to dodgers winning the world championship in 1955.
He was honored afterwards in a manner so incredible, No.42 (his jersey number) was retired from all major league teams, His was the first pro-athlete jersey number to be so honored. MLB also adopted a new annual tradition, “Jackie Robinson Day“, for the first time on April 15, 2004, on which every player on every team wears No. 42.
