Ben Cannon Mrs. Giromini Intermediate Composition 13 january 2023 Jackie Robinson: The People’s Perfect Person For as long as I can remember, I always loved to play baseball and would spend all of my spare time doing something related to the sport. Whether it was playing catch, hitting off the tee or watching a game, I always surrounded myself with baseball. When I finally made it to the sixth grade, I had learned that my neighbor a few doors down had committed to playing baseball during college. I had never thought about playing a sport while attending college, let alone even making the varsity team in high school. Playing baseball after high school was fascinating to me and I was obsessed with figuring out the way to make this happen. I asked …show more content…
Robinson initially made the decision to go to Pasadena Junior College to continue playing football, basketball, baseball and track because most schools at the time didn’t accept African American athletes, and he wanted to continue playing with hopes of transferring to a major division one school. This portrays his determination and grit to keep trying against all odds. He has also shown the courage he possesses by trying to prove other people wrong. After his stint at Pasadena Community College, Robinson's next move was to enroll at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1939. “At UCLA, he played baseball, basketball, football and track, becoming the first athlete in school history to earn varsity letters in four sports.” Robinson chose to bet on himself and take the hard route others wouldn’t take to give himself a shot at playing at a major division one school and it worked. Jackie Robinson did whatever was necessary to make his dreams come true and leave an impact on the …show more content…
His immense work ethic and determination proved how he persevered under extraordinary circumstances. Robinson has received numerous awards including his long list of accolades in the MLB, but he has also achieved awards for his contributions outside of baseball, such as the presidential medal of freedom and the congressional gold medal. This further demonstrates his commitment to never giving up on the goals he set out for, making his success inevitable. Since then, the world has become a much better place for people of color in the United States. Robinson should be recognized not only for the goals he has accomplished but also for how he accomplished them. Hopefully, he emulated that an individual must work hard, jump countless hurdles and stay resilient to truly make a positive impact on the
Growing up in a white neighborhood and playing baseball with only whites, Robinson battled with racism throughout his life. He constantly had to prove himself and stand up for himself as well. People did not believe that Robinson would make it in the Major Leagues. It was evident that the Brooklyn Dodgers were taking a big risk in signing Robinson. Many of their fans were furious, other teams, and even their own players did not want him on the team but numerous of people came to watch Robinson play.
To sum it up, Robinson proved to white people that black people could be just as good by playing baseball with great skill and determination and he provided a “symbol of hope” (Robinson) to black
He was born in Georgia but moved to California at a young age with his mother. He went to The University of California Los Angeles and was a 4-sport athlete, but his college life got called short because of WWII. Jackie Robinson revolutionized the game of baseball in that he became the first African American to play professionally; despite threats to his wife and family, he blazed a trail for
In college he played football, basketball, baseball, and track. His athleticism helped to become the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball. Jackie Robinson is an inspiration and, at the time, a step forward in the fight
Robinson starred in baseball, basketball, football, and track in high school and at Pasadena Junior College. He transferred to the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1939. (Mcleese) In school, Robinson was known as the most athletic kid in the school.
He planted the roots for all races to be able to play in any sport. The very first documented time was between 1920’s and the 1940’s when many different races were eligible to play in the major leagues. (AmHistory) “Black people, eager to capitalize on the success of the Negro Leagues and the freedom acquired by them during the war, viewed baseball’s integration as a means of establishing themselves as legitimate members of American democracy.” “America was beginning to integrate in many areas, and Robinson’s name would be at the forefront for decades to come.” (Beyond) “When Robinson took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, more than sixty years of racial segregation in major-league baseball came to an end.
Baseball, basketball, track and played the sport he loves the most, baseball. Robinson was very good in baseball and was given the title "Most Valuable Player" in 1938. Robinson was very independent growing up and learned not to rely on others. He always looked up to his older brother Matthew who inspired him. Matthew won a silver medal in the Olympic Games located in Berlin in the 200- meter dash.
Robinson's career led to a voice for blacks in baseball (Breaking). When he got on base they said he was worth 10 or 20 runs (Jackie). Roger Kahn once said “He could hit and bunt and steal and run. He had intimidating skills and he burned with a dark fire” (Jackie). He Ended first season as rookie of the year (Jackie).
Jackie Robinson was a first, not only for African Americans in baseball, but also in other sports. His influence did not just stop there. He made it possible for people to believe in themselves to breakthrough and fulfill their own kinds of “firsts”. Jackie Robinson is an influential figure and also a representational one. It is important for people to know who he is, especially young African American children, because it gives them hope for their lives.
This was a big deal considering he was “black”. This was only the start and it opened a door for many and made the world better thanks to Robinson’s gifted talent and by Rickey recruiting him. Jackie was invited to play in a football game for the Honolulu Bears, their game was in Pearl Harbor, he left Honolulu two days after the Japanese attacked. Jackie first played for the Montreal Royals and they won the league. Robinson’s brother was an amazing athlete
Robinson won the National League Rookie of the Year award his first season, and helped the Dodgers to the National League championship. During jackie robinsons career which was spent most at second base, they won one national league championship and continued for more. After having athletic ability during high school and junior college, he succeeded at baseball, football, basketball, and track at the University of California at Los Angeles and became the first student at his school to earn four letters in one year. Without Jackie Robinsons move and step of breaking the color barrier, african americans would not have been able to play baseball at the time that he wanted to and
Being conducted into the baseball hall of fame is an accomplishment on its own. However, not only did Robinson get into it, he was the first African American baseball player to be added to it. Robinson achieved something no one before him was able to achieve and it was a big deal. He did this by continuing to persevere and always fight for what's right. Sharon Robinson, the famous player's daughter, once said, “ I'm thankful that my fathers quest for justice didn't end when he retired from baseball.
( Lincoln Library 82 ). By putting up impressive stats in his first year in the MLB he showed that African Americans could do what a white man could do or even better. He had such an impressive career that he had the Rookie of the Year award named the Jackie Robinson Award ( Baseball - Almanac ). Before entering the big stage of baseball Robinson played on the Minor League affiliate team for the Dodgers before signing. In his 10 year career he compiled .311 average in hitting and 197 stolen bases ( Pietrusza 42 ).
This was the beginning of his athletic career. From the start there was prejudice and racist remarks towards Jackie but he let all of them roll right off his back and excelled at all sports he participated in. After college Jackie Robinson went to Hawaii to play for the Honolulu Bears football team. Jackie Robinson left Hawaii just days before Pearl Harbor was bombed, on the boat the captain said that the USA has declared war on Japan.
His manager Leo Durocher said “This guy didn’t just come to play. He come to beat ya.” Robinsons playing style was mixed with traditional elements of black sports, he was a risk taker, and very aggressive player. African Americans sportswriters, focused their attentions on Robinson and player African Americans who followed him. Robinsons success encouraged the integration of other professional sports such as basketball, football, and tennis, however the Negro Leagues depended on the opposite that being segregation, this began a nonreversible decline in losing reporters, spectators, and even the ball players themselves.