Jackie Robinson
The Miricle Baseball Player
The Start Of It All
Jack Roosevelt (Jackie) Robinson was born on January 31, 1919. His mother was Mallie Robinson and his Father was Jerry Robinson. Before Jackie was born his father went somewhere and never came back so, this left Mallie with all five children to take care of. When Jackie was 1 his mother wanted her family to have a better life so they moved to California. When Jackie's older sister Willa Mae went to school she would always take Jackie to school and let him play in the sandbox right on the playground and she would always watch him throughout the school day. When jackie got older he got called the meanest name he knew. He always looked up to his Brother Mack who was an athlete. That is the thing that started it all.
He Did Something Besides Baseball?
Yes, yes he did, Jackie Robinson went to the University of California at Los Angles, also known as UCLA lettering in four sports, Football, Basketball, Baseball, and track and field. He won the broad jump title. He was the starting shooting guard on the basketball team. He played the whole infield on the baseball team. He was the starting running back on the football team. his girlfriend Rachel Isam was also at UCLA. She was training to be a nurse. She went to all of his games. I am pretty sure that is what motivated him. Jackie was in the U.S. Navy. He was 2nd commander. One day when he was on his ship he saw one of his crew mates painting the windows black. Jackie asked "why are you painting the windows black?" The crew mate replied "Japan had just attacked pearl harbor." As you can see he was in the Army during world war two. He was so depressed because he was so far away from his lovely girl friend. He could not get her of his mind.
The Army Days
Jackie was in the U.S. Navy. He was 2nd commander. One day when he was on his ship he saw one of his crew mates painting the windows black. Jackie asked "why are you painting the windows black?" The crew mate replied "Japan had just attacked pearl harbor." As you can see he was in the Army during world war two. He was so depressed because he was so far away from his lovely girl friend. He could not get her of his mind.
The Deal
Jackie Robinson played in the negro league with a team called the Kansas City Monarch's. After a couple of years of playing with them he got a phone call that he was wanted to meet with the general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Branch Rickey. Jackie thought he had won something like a contest but he won a chance to be the first black person to play in the MLB (major league baseball). Branch Rickey asked him a lot of questions. They had a good laugh but then things got serious. Branch Rickey said that he could not fight back. So then Jackie asked him "you want someone who doesn't have the guts to fight back?" "no, I want someone who has the guts not to fight back. So, is it a deal?" Rickey replied. Only one word came out of Jackie's mouth and that word was "yes."
Playing With The Big Boys
Jackie played with the Montreal Royals in the Minor League. He played second base and shortstop. He was a star player. After a year he was moved up to play in the MLB. He knew that this was no baby toss game like it was in the Minor leagues, this was real. On his first at bat he grounded out. Then at his second at bat he hit a three-run home run. the fans started to cheer, even the fans who were rooting for the other team. Jackie Robinson had just hit his first home run of the year and he hit the first home run of the season on the first game. He knew from that moment on he would have a fantastic year ahead of him.
Wraping things up
Jackie Robinson had married Rachel Isam later that year and they had two children. Jackie got traded to the New York Giants but decided to retire. Jackie got inducted into the hall of fame. He moved to a better place for him and his family. Jackie got really sick and then he died in 1972. In honor of Jackie Robinson number 42 is retired from the MLB for each and every team. Jackie Robinson will be remembered from this day moving forward as one of the best baseball players their ever was.
Jackie Robinson Steals Home