Jackie Robinson: The Man Who Broke the Color Barrier CRACK goes the bat as it hits the ball. “This one has a chance, going, going, gone! It’s a home run!” says the announcer. Baseball is America's pastime, and everyone should be able to play it. But there was a time when only white people could play baseball, and African American men were excluded. But Jackie Robinson was one who broke the color barrier, and opened the door for other black player. Jackie Robinson played segregated baseball, and had one of the best careers of all time. As a child Jackie was abused by other white children, and had a hard beginning. Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31, 1919. He was the youngest of five children and he grew up fighting to protect himself (Metaxas 112). His father left them when Jackie was young and his mother had to raise the family (114). Jackie was racially abused by white men his entire life. Jackie was an excellent athlete both in high school and college. He attended John Muir Technical High School, but was a blackes only school (Metaxas 115). He played lots of sports in high school, but not …show more content…
He started practice with the Royals in Florida, but first went to spring training and experienced his first racial abuse on the way down to the south (Robinson 31). Reporters asked lots of questions like “What will you do if pitchers throw at you?” “Duck” he said (qtd in Robinson 31). He was part of the team now, but he had to skip the first practice because of death threats (Robinson 33). But he was able to go to the first game on April 18, 1946. He played a great game and was abused, but never fought or retaliated. He played one of the best seasons of Material history. He ended with a .349 batting average and a ninety eight percent fielding average (“Jackie Robinson”). As soon as the season was over the Dodgers bought his contract (Metaxas 131). Jackie played great with the Royals, but now played with the