Jackie Robinson
The first African American to play in the major leagues.
Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson was born on January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia. Jackie Robinson played baseball and he was the first African American to play in the major leagues. He signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 and he played for them for 10 years, leading them to a World Series Championship in 1955. He helped cause the civil rights movement for African American athletes. He retired from baseball in 1957.
Mini Bio: Jackie Robinson
Challenges that Jackie faced.
Jackie Robinson was very welcomed to the Major Leagues. His opponents didn't like him and some of his teammates made him feel unwelcome. He didn't give up on what he loved doing and that was playing baseball. Through all the hate he was one of the best players in the history of the sport. He broke the color barrier for all sports. He helped encourage African American athletes to go do whatever they love to do and to never give up on it.
Major Accomplishments
When Jackie was brought up to the majors he broke the color barrier for African American Athletes.
Jackie Robinson won rookie of the year in his first year playing in the Major Leagues.
Jackie Robinson was the first African American to be inducted in the baseball hall of fame.
How Jackie Contributed to Society
When Robinson retired form baseball in 1957, he turned his attention to the civil rights movement. When Martin Luther King Jr. led his march, Jackie Robinson was there marching with him. Jackie Robinson also helped get rid of the color ban for the Professional Golf Association. Three churches were destroyed by the KKK and he raised funds to rebuild them. Jackie Robinson was also a newspaper columnist and often wrote about civil rights movements and initiatives to further encourage racial equality.
Death
Jackie Robinson died at the age of 53, from a heart attack on October 4th, 1972 in North Stamford, Connecticut. Jackie Robinson opened the door for several African American athletes to have the opportunity to participate in national athletic sports.
Bibliography
Bio.com
Baseball Hall of Fame