Jackie Robinson the man that paved the way for all African American athletes breaking the racial barriers to be the first African American professional athlete. Mr. Robinson was a premier athlete that was known for stealing bases. A man by the name of Branch Rickey 1st recognized the talent in Mr. Robinson. He saw skill and character of a player rather then the color of his skin. Mr. Rickey was a professional baseball player for the dodgers at this time but he also played for UCLA so he often came back and watched the baseball team that he once played for. What many people don’t know is Mr. Robinson was a student of UCLA receiving four varsity letters in four different sports Track Field, Baseball, and Football and boxing. To be one of the top athletes at his school I find it funny that he was forced to leave due to a financial situation, but at that time of day blacks weren't given scholarships. (Worthy) From the years 1942 to 1944 Mr. Rickey stopped worrying about Jackie because he decided to enlist in the military. Mr. Robinson did not want to go but was forced to help his family put food on the table. Mr. Robinson never faced combat due to being discharged from the military due to a political act of not giving up his seat to a white man on a bus. (Worthy)
Mr. Robinson was known for his attitude and little tolerance to racism through out his life so him becoming the first African American to enter the Majors would be the hardest task for him yet. When Mr. Robinson was discharged he joined the Negro league where his numbers were outstanding. Not say the Negro league was full of amateurs but it was clear from an early start that
Jackie needed more competition (Worthy). At this point of time Branch Rickey became the manager of the Dodgers and once finding out that Mr. Robinson was still as good as he was in college if not better he knew he had to sign him to a deal. Mr. Rickey was very hesitant at first something many people don’t know is the decision he made of signing Mr. Robinson almost cost him his job after making such a huge decision with only being a Manger for two seasons. (Worthy)
Branch knew this was decision would change the face of baseball. A change that was long overdue I personally think. Jackie made it clear from the start that he wasn't here to be an experiment and if that was Mr. Rickey’s plan to not even waste his time.(Worthy) Mr. Robinson had a slow start to his major league career. He was a main target whites saw him as competition. They didn't even give him a chance throwing balls straight at him. That is where his true skill was defined learning to steal bases that is where he was most productive he looked at it as if you were not gonna give me a chance to hit I will learn to steal bases and score on my own and he was indeed very good at it.(Worthy)
Mr. Robinson was known for getting in trouble frequently dealing with the discrimination he faced. One indecent almost costing him his career. What many people don't know in Kentucky the year 1952, Mr. Robinson was arrested for assaulting a white man after his game was sentenced to jail and missed two games. Mr. Rickey was already aware of how the incident started do to something racial but when spoken to Robinson his most famous quote said to him " I don't want a player strong enough to fight, but a player strong enough to walk away" (Cloumns). That is finally when Robinson reached his peak in his professional career, he tuned out everything all to focus on baseball. He soon gained the respect of all his teammates and the dodgers became a championship contender. Mr. Robinson led his team to win a championship the year of 1955. Jackie Robinson overall career was outstanding being one of the best second base men to play in history also being inducted into the hall of fame (Cloumus).
Mr. Robinson career is still long lived a movie was recently made about him called "42" , portraying his life. Mr. Robinson faced the world and conquered not to say his skills didn't speak for them self but to have everyone begging to see you fail I believe Robinson did indeed excel. His number is retired on the dodgers but they are in talks of his son James Robinson wearing his number if he plays for the dodgers.(Cloumns) To be a leader during the civil rights you don't always have to have people to follow you sometimes just by doing the right thing you get the attention of so many. I know Mr. Robinson was considered a hero to all black young men that played baseball. He may of had a few bumps along the way but I appreciate Jackie Robinson for all he did for breaking the lines my only question is I wonder if Jackie knows the impact he really had on so many of us? Did he know how big it really was to be the first black man in the majors?.... The world will never know, Thank you Jackie.
Cloumns, More P. "Jackie Robinson Was a Legend as a Player, as Well as a Pioneer." SI.com. Sports Illustrated, 32 Mar. 2003. Web. 26 Feb. 2014
Worthy, Peter M. "Jackie Robinson Breaks Baseball's Color Barrier, 1945." Jackie Robinson Breaks Baseball's Color Barrier, 1945. BLACK AMERICA, 1 Feb. 1999. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. <http://eyewitnesstohistory.com/robinson.htm>.
When writing academically, the general rule is to name the person, like Jackie Robinson, in full on first mention and then just using the last name thereafter. Using the first name after that (especially on its own) suggests an informality or friendship that an academic text just doesn't have. And you won't need "Mr." either--just last names will do.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right about Robinson--he was such a positive influence on the African American community, but also to the wider American and world communities, too. He certainly was an amazing athlete, but he led by example and I think most people today would agree that he was one of those mythologized "role models" for all.