Jackie Robinson

In the 1940s, many parts of American society still had forced segregation. That included professional baseball. An unwritten rule had barred Black players from the major leagues since the 1880s. Instead, they had to play in poor conditions and for low pay in the Negro Leagues. (The term Negro once was used to refer to Black people. It is now considered outdated and offensive.)

Branch Rickey, the president of the Dodgers, wanted to change that. Rickey knew it would take a special player who had more than talent. He’d also need the courage not to fight back when faced with racism. After meeting Robinson, Rickey knew he’d found the right player. 

In the 1940s, many parts of American society still had forced segregation. That included professional baseball. An unwritten rule had barred Black players from the major leagues since the 1880s. Instead, they had to play in poor conditions and for low pay in the Negro Leagues. (The term Negro once was used to refer to Black people. It is now considered outdated and offensive.)

Branch Rickey, the president of the Dodgers, wanted to change that. Rickey knew it would take a special player. The player had to have more than just talent. He’d also need the courage not to fight back when faced with racism. After meeting Robinson, Rickey knew he’d found the right player. 

During his first season with the Dodgers, Robinson faced challenges that no other player had to deal with. He received death threats from racist fans. Players shouted insults at him. When the Dodgers played in other cities, Robinson often wasn’t allowed to stay in the same hotels as his White teammates.

Many of those teammates didn’t offer Robinson much support. Some of them didn’t like the idea of playing alongside a Black man. Through it all, Robinson never lost his cool. 

“I had to fight hard against loneliness, abuse, and the knowledge that any mistake I made would be magnified because I was the only Black man out there,” he later wrote in his autobiography.

Despite all the challenges, Robinson proved he was as good as the best White players. After the 1947 season, he won baseball’s first Rookie of the Year award.

During his first season with the Dodgers, Robinson faced challenges. He received death threats from racist fans. Players shouted insults at him. When the Dodgers played in other cities, Robinson often wasn’t allowed to stay in the same hotels as his White teammates.

Many of those teammates didn’t offer Robinson much support. Some of them didn’t like the idea of playing alongside a Black man. But Robinson never lost his cool. 

“I had to fight hard against loneliness, abuse, and the knowledge that any mistake I made would be magnified because I was the only Black man out there,” he later wrote in his autobiography.

Robinson proved he was as good as the best White players. After the 1947 season, he won baseball’s first Rookie of the Year award.

Robinson opened baseball’s doors to more Black players. They finally got a chance to show all of America what they could do.

Robinson retired from baseball after the 1956 season. Many leaders credited him with playing a key role in the civil rights movement. Martin Luther King Jr. called Robinson “a legend in his own time.”

Though Robinson died in 1972, he continues to be an inspiration today. 

“He knew the importance of standing up for what you believe in,” says his daughter, Sharon Robinson.

Robinson opened baseball’s doors to more Black players. They finally got a chance to show all of America what they could do.

Robinson retired from baseball after the 1956 season. Many leaders said he played an important role in the civil rights movement. Martin Luther King Jr. called Robinson “a legend in his own time.”

Robinson died in 1972. But he continues to be an inspiration today. “He knew the importance of standing up for what you believe in,” says his daughter, Sharon Robinson.

1. How did segregation in baseball affect Black players from the 1880s to the 1940s?
2. What was Jackie Robinson’s first season in Major League Baseball like? Use details from the article.
3. What does the expression “opened baseball’s doors” mean?

1. How did segregation in baseball affect Black players from the 1880s to the 1940s?
2. What was Jackie Robinson’s first season in Major League Baseball like? Use details from the article.
3. What does the expression “opened baseball’s doors” mean?