Life And Legacy Of Jackie Robinson's Life

Matt Grim

American Studies 1 Honors

Luckenbill

17 April 2023

Jackie Robinson’s Life and Legacy

Throughout the late 1800’s and early 1900’s Major league baseball was all white. For this more than sixty year stretch baseball had become a segregated sport as the American and National leagues that make up the MLB had unofficially banned African Americans. This would all change on April 15, 1947 at Ebbets Field where Jackie Robinson would make his debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Not only was Jackie Robinson the first African American to break the racial barriers of baseball, but would go on to become a baseball legend winning many awards throughout his career. Robinson’s unwavering determination and achievements as the first African American

Jackie Robinson's childhood and early life was filled with many significant challenges and obstacles including poverty, racism, and an unsteady family environment. Robinson was born on January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia to a sharecropping family. In 1920, Robinson would move to Pasadena, California with his mother Mallie. While growing up there he became an exceptional athlete and excelled in many sports at Muir High School where he attended. He would continue on playing football, basketball, track and field, and of course, baseball at UCLA becoming the first four-letter athlete at the school, (“Jackie Robinson Early Life”). Through his years at UCLA Robinson became very successful in all sports he played, most say that football was his strongest sport in college. He even led the nation in several categories including highest average punt return and he also held several school records including most rushing yards and overall points scored. In the spring of 1941, Robinson decided to leave UCLA just shy of

After spending roughly a year playing in the Negro National League an opportunity arrose for Robinson when the general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers reached out to him and invited him to come and play for the all-white Dodger team. Although Robinson faced great adversity while integrating Major League Baseball he was extremely strong and was able to overcome this and become a legend. Through his ten year career he was able to help lead the Dodgers to a World Series win over the Yankees in 1955. In addition to this Robinson achieved six consecutive all star seasons, he won the rookie of the year award in 1947, and he also won the National League MVP award in 1949. Finally, in 1962 Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, becoming the first African American to do so, (“About Jackie Robinson”). Robinson’s Legacy as an icon in baseball continues to this day and he continues to inspire many and he serves as a reminder to the importance of courage, determination, and