Robinson, Jackie (1919-1972), American athlete, business executive, and civil rights leader. Born in Cairo, Georgia, to a family of sharecroppers, Jack Roosevelt Robinson attended Pasadena Junior College (now Pasadena City College) in California and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). At UCLA he demonstrated exceptional athletic ability and became the first UCLA student-athlete to win varsity letters in four sports—football, basketball, baseball, and track.
In 1941 Robinson left college to join the United States Army. After graduating from Officers Candidate School, Robinson became a second lieutenant in what was then a segregated army. Troubled by the mistreatment of black soldiers in his unit, Robinson protested the U.S. Army's discriminatory practices. Military police at Fort Hood, Texas, arrested Robinson when he refused the driver's order to move to the back of a bus. A court-martial acquitted Robinson and he received an honorable discharge in 1944 with the rank of first lieutenant.
Robinson began his professional baseball career in 1945 with the Kansas City Monarchs, one of the leading teams of the Negro Leagues. Later that year, Robinson signed with Branch Rickey, the general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers (now the Los Angeles Dodgers). Robinson spent the 1946 season playing for the Montreal Royals of the International League—a minor league affiliate of the Dodgers. After one season with the Royals, Robinson was called up to the Brooklyn team in 1947, becoming the first black to play major league baseball in the 20th century. Starting at first base, he made his debut in a Brooklyn uniform on April 15, 1947.
Breaking baseball's color barrier was a serious challenge, and Robinson met fierce resistance from many players and fans who believed in the separation of people on the basis of race. Warned by Branch Rickey not to retaliate or acknowledge taunts, Robinson endured malicious catcalls and racial slurs shouted from the stands. He also received unsigned notes threatening death if he continued to play baseball. Some rival players went beyond verbal abuse in an effort to intimidate Robinson. They threw pitches at Robinson's head, spat on him when he slid into a base, and attempted to injure him with the spikes on their shoes. With the support of Branch Rickey and the encouragement of teammates, the determined Robinson survived these attacks and helped the Dodgers win the National League (NL) pennant in 1947. During the season he led the NL with 29 stolen bases; sportswriters named the courageous and talented Robinson rookie of the year in the major leagues.
Graceful fielding, timely hitting, and aggressive baserunning typified Robinson's exciting style of play. Over ten seasons Robinson executed one of baseball's rarest and most exciting plays—stealing home—not once but 19 times. Robinson's contributions won new Dodgers fans, increased attendance, and helped make the Dodgers one of the most competitive teams in baseball. His success with the Dodgers also opened the way for other black players to sign major league contracts. But not until 1959 did all 16 major league clubs field at least one black ballplayer.
Robinson retired from professional baseball after the 1956 season rather than face a trade to another club. He finished with a career batting average of .311. Robinson was inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, the first black to receive the honor. Robinson wanted to become the first black to manage a major league team, but no club offered him the opportunity.
After leaving baseball, Robinson became vice president of a restaurant chain in New York City. He also promoted black business enterprises in New York's Harlem neighborhood and became a leading advocate for black civil rights. From 1964 to 1968 he served as special assistant for civil rights to Governor Nelson Rockefeller of New York. Robinson starred in the motion picture The Jackie Robinson Story (1950) and was the author, with Alfred Duckett, of I Never Had It Made (1972). Robinson died October 24, 1972, in Stamford, Connecticut. The epitaph that appears on Robinson's grave stone is one that he wrote for himself.
"Robinson, Jackie" Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2000
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This "Think different" Poster will be packaged extremely carefully and shipped USPS Priority and Insured Mail. The shipping/handling weight for the poster is 5 pounds, making the shipping charge $6.50 FREE for a USA delivery. International customers are welcome, however there will need to be a shipping charge. eMail for a shipping quote, or check the USPS International rate calculator.
USPS INTERNATIONAL RATE CALCULATOR
I ship from the state of Washington -- Zip Code is 98003
