Jackie Robinson was born on a plantation near Cairo, Georgia, on January 31, When he was 6 months old, his father left. His mother moved the family to California. With the help of a niece, his mother bought a house in a white neighborhood in Pasadena. Manfred Weidhorn noted in his biography, Jackie Robinson , "Jackie was proud of his mother, who would not allow the white neighbors to drive her away or frighten her or mistreat her kids.
From her he learned to stand up for his rights. During boot camp at Fort Hood, Texas, Robinson was arrested and court-martialed in for refusing to give up his seat and move to the back of a segregated bus. Robinson's excellent reputation, combined with the efforts of friends, the NAACP and various Black newspapers, shed public light on the injustice.
Ultimately he was acquitted of the charges and received an honorable discharge. His courage and moral objection to racial segregation were precursors to the impact Robinson would have in Major League Baseball. The couple was married on February 10, As Robinson made his career in the major leagues, the couple faced mounting racism, from insults to death threats.
Later in life, both Jackie and Rachel became actively involved in the civil rights movement. Jackie and Rachel had three children together: Jack, Sharon and David. Rachel said that she and Jackie went to great lengths to create a nurturing home that sheltered their kids from racism.
Their middle child, Sharon Robinson , is an author and consultant for Major League Baseball, while their youngest child, David Robinson, is a coffee farmer in Tanzania.
After his discharge from the Army in , Robinson began to play baseball professionally. At the time, the sport was segregated, and African Americans and white people played in separate leagues.
He joined the all-white Montreal Royals, a farm team for the Brooklyn Dodgers, in Robinson later moved to Florida to begin spring training with the Royals. Rickey knew there would be difficult times ahead for the young athlete, and so made Robinson promise to not fight back when confronted with racism. Rickey also personally tested Robinson's reactions to the racial slurs and insults he knew the player would endure.
From the beginning of his career with the Dodgers, Robinson's will was tested. Some of his new teammates objected to having an African American on their team. People in the crowds sometimes jeered Robinson, and he and his family received threats. Despite the racial abuse, particularly at away games, Robinson had an outstanding start with the Royals, leading the International League with a.
His successful year led to his promotion to join the Dodgers. Robinson played his first game at Ebbets Field for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, , making history as the first Black athlete to play Major League Baseball in the 20th century.
The harassment continued, however, most notably by the Philadelphia Phillies and their manager, Ben Chapman. During one infamous game, Chapman and his team shouted derogatory terms at Robinson from their dugout. Many players on opposing teams threatened not to play against the Dodgers. Even his own teammates threatened to sit out.
But Dodgers manager Leo Durocher informed them that he would sooner trade them than Robinson. After two years in the army, he had progressed to second lieutenant. In the end, Jackie left the Army with an honorable discharge. But greater challenges and achievements were in store for him.
The Major Leagues had not had an African-American player since , when baseball became segregated. When Jackie first donned a Brooklyn Dodger uniform, he pioneered the integration of professional athletics in America.
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