A man walks out of the dugout at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, “The blue number 42 was on the back of his white Brooklyn Dodger uniform as Jackie Robinson took up his position at first base at Ebbets Field on April 15, 1947, opening day of the baseball season” (Frommer 21). The crowd boos and jeers him, yet he plays for the home team. Why? This man is Jackie Robinson, an African American who has broken the color barrier in baseball. Before Jackie Robinson, only white men played in Major League Baseball. Robinson was the first African American to enter the majors. Jackie Robinson was one of America's most influential people, breaking the color line in baseball and fighting for civil rights.
Jackie Robinson was one of America's most influential people,
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During that time, whites and blacks still played in separate leagues. Jackie Robinson had only been playing in the Negro Leagues for a little while when he was contacted by the Branch Rickey, president of the Brooklyn Dodgers, as he wanted Robinson to play for the Dodgers. Robinson joined the Montreal Royals, a farm team for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Rickey was well aware of the racism and insults that would be directed at Robinson when he played, so he made Robinson promise not to react when faced with racism. Rickey also tested Robinson by taunting him with racial slurs and insults he knew Robinson would have to endure. When Robinson joined the Royals, even some of his new teammates were outraged at having an African-American on their team. People in the crowds often booed Robinson, and he and his family received death threats. Despite the racial issues, Robinson had an outstanding season with the Royals, leading the league with a .349 batting average and .985 fielding percentage. His successful year with the Royals allowed him to join the Dodgers. Robinson played his first game at Ebbets Field on April 15, 1947, making history as the first black athlete to play Major League Baseball. Robinson’s outstanding performance over many years allowed him to be “named the National League MVP with a league-leading .342 batting average, 37 stolen bases, 124 RBI, and 122 runs scored” (Linge 4), and helping the “Dodgers win the World Series for the first time in the team's 75-year history in Brooklyn” (Linge