[286], The City of Pasadena has recognized Robinson with a baseball diamond and stadium named Jackie Robinson Field in Brookside Park next to the Rose Bowl,[287] and with the Jackie Robinson Center (a community outreach center providing health services). [200], Robinson protested against the major leagues' ongoing lack of minority managers and central office personnel, and he turned down an invitation to appear in an old-timers' game at Yankee Stadium in 1969. Jackie Robinson, byname of Jack Roosevelt Robinson, (born January 31, 1919, Cairo, Georgia, U.S.died October 24, 1972, Stamford, Connecticut), the first Black baseball player to play in the American major leagues during the 20th century. [29] As at Muir High School, most of Jackie's teammates were white. on May 7, 1938. [62][63] Upon finishing OCS, Robinson was commissioned as a second lieutenant in January 1943. Mack Robinson died at age 88 on March 12, 2000. Robinson's mother worked various odd jobs to support the family. [270] Twenty-five years after Robinson's death, the Interboro Parkway was renamed the Jackie Robinson Parkway in his memory. [332], In 2011, the U.S. placed a plaque at Robinson's Montreal home to honor the ending of segregation in baseball. [231] Later that year, after he complained of numerous physical ailments, he was diagnosed with diabetes, a disease that also afflicted his brothers. He was survived by his wife Delano, their three sons and three daughters, a son and daughter from previous marriages, twenty-five grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. [93] Baseball fans also voted Robinson as the starting second baseman for the 1949 All-Star Gamethe first All-Star Game to include black players. [56][57] Although the Army's initial July 1941 guidelines for OCS had been drafted as race neutral, few black applicants were admitted into OCS until after subsequent directives by Army leadership. [96][97] Rickey did not offer compensation to the Monarchs, instead believing all Negro league players were free agents due to the contracts not containing a reserve clause. No.32 Is Likely To Be Hottest Debate", "Rare Jackie Robinson jersey sold for $2.05 million", Sporting News MLB Rookie of the Year Award, National League Most Valuable Player Award, National League season stolen base leaders, Bums: An Oral History of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Orel Hershiser's scoreless innings streak, "You're Looking at One for the Ages Here", Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx Is Burning, National Football Foundation Gold Medal winners, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jackie_Robinson&oldid=1142150607, Activists for African-American civil rights, African-American male track and field athletes, American expatriate baseball players in Canada, Baseball players from Georgia (U.S. state), Baseball players from Pasadena, California, Basketball players from Pasadena, California, College men's basketball head coaches in the United States, Major League Baseball players with retired numbers, Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award winners, Military personnel from Georgia (U.S. state), National College Baseball Hall of Fame inductees, National League Most Valuable Player Award winners, Pasadena City Lancers men's basketball players, Players of American football from Pasadena, California, UCLA Bruins men's track and field athletes, United States Army personnel of World War II, United States Army personnel who were court-martialed, Pages containing links to subscription-only content, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia indefinitely semi-protected pages, Pages using infobox military person with embed, Pages using multiple image with auto scaled images, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, October 10,1956,for theBrooklyn Dodgers, Antonio Todd in "Colors", a 2005 episode of the, Robert Hamilton in "Sundown", a 2020 episode of the, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 19:58. [82][83] The hectic travel schedule also placed a burden on his relationship with Isum, with whom he could now communicate only by letter. [261] She also served on the board of the Freedom National Bank until it closed in 1990. The trade, however, was never completed; unbeknownst to the Dodgers, Robinson had already agreed with the president of Chock full o'Nuts to quit baseball and become an executive with the company. The price was the highest ever paid for a post-World War II jersey.[340]. David Robinson, the youngest child of Jack and Rachel Robinson, was born in 1952. [171], In 1950, Robinson led the National League in double plays made by a second baseman with 133. [52][54] After a short season, Robinson returned to California in December 1941 to pursue a career as running back for the Los Angeles Bulldogs of the Pacific Coast Football League. [161] In February 1948, he signed a $12,500 contract (equal to $140,980 today) with the Dodgers; while a significant amount, this was less than Robinson made in the off-season from a vaudeville tour, where he answered pre-set baseball questions and a speaking tour of the South. The rotunda was dedicated at the opening of Citi Field on April 16, 2009. [188] Sportswriter Dick Young, whom Robinson had described as a "bigot", said, "If there was one flaw in Jackie, it was the common one. Overcoming his dejection, Robinson dutifully observed Thomson's feet to ensure he touched all the bases. "You will find that the friends that you think you have in the press box will not support you, that you will be outcasts," Frick was quoted as saying. 1952). "[144][145][146][147] Woodward's article received the E. P. Dutton Award in 1947 for Best Sports Reporting. [149][150] Rickey later recalled that Chapman "did more than anybody to unite the Dodgers. [52] Robinson was aghast: "Are you looking for a Negro who is afraid to fight back? [320][321] A number of facilities at Pasadena City College (successor to PJC) are named in Robinson's honor, including Robinson Field, a football/soccer/track facility named jointly for Robinson and his brother Mack. Larry Doby (who broke the color barrier in the American League on July 5, 1947, just 11 weeks after Robinson) and Satchel Paige played for the Cleveland Indians, and the Dodgers had three other black players besides Robinson. Karl Downs to be the athletic director at Samuel Huston College in Austin, then of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. While Mr. Robinson patrolled second base, his wife, Rachel, was combing the Connecticut suburbs for a family home. Before Jack and I moved to Montreal, we had just been through some very rough treatment in the racially biased South during spring training in Florida. [66] Robinson was acquitted by an all-white panel of nine officers. [163] His salary that year was the highest any Dodger had been paid to that point: $35,000[172] ($394,198 in 2021 dollars[173]). [211], Assessing himself, Robinson said, "I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me all I ask is that you respect me as a human being. Sharon (born in 1950) had a successful . Robinson's character, his use of nonviolence, and his talent challenged the traditional basis of segregation that had then marked many other aspects of American life. Rachel and their three children, Jackie Jr., Sharon and David, provided Jackie with the emotional support and sense of purpose essential for bearing the pressure during the early years of baseball. [45] Robinson finished the season with 12.2 yards per attempt on 42 carries, which is the school football record for highest rushing yards per carry in a season as of 2022. [186] Robinson missed the game because manager Walter Alston decided to play Gilliam at second and Don Hoak at third base. [93] Robinson made his debut in a Dodgers uniform wearing number 42 on April 11, 1947, in a preseason exhibition game against the New York Yankees at Ebbets Field with 24,237 in attendance. His family were sharecroppers in Cairo, Georgia. He came from a family of sharecroppers who lived in Cairo, Georgia. [48], While a senior at UCLA, Robinson met his future wife, Rachel Isum (b.1922), a UCLA freshman who was familiar with Robinson's athletic career at PJC. [190] Robinson ended his major league career when he struck out to end Game 7 of the 1956 World Series. [205], Robinson's career is generally considered to mark the beginning of the post"long ball" era in baseball, in which a reliance on raw power-hitting gave way to balanced offensive strategies that used footspeed to create runs through aggressive baserunning. Jack Roosevelt (Jackie) Robinson Born 31 Jan 1919 in Cairo, Grady, Georgia, United States Ancestors Son of Jerry Robinson and Mallie (McGriff) Robinson Brother of Edgar Robinson, Frank Robinson, Matthew MacKenzie Robinson and Willa Mae (Robinson) Walker Husband of [private wife (1920s - unknown) ] 42. At Sisler's suggestion, Robinson spent hours at a batting tee, learning to hit the ball to right field. Robinson was reluctant to testify, but he eventually agreed to do so, fearing it might negatively affect his career if he declined. [51] He took a job as an assistant athletic director with the government's National Youth Administration (NYA) in Atascadero, California. Jackie was the youngest of five childrenEdgar, Frank, Matthew "Mack," and Willa Maeand a little over a year after his birth, Robinson's mother moved the family to Pasadena. He come to beat ya. Feb 27, 2023, 12:45 PM EST. [190], In 1953, Robinson had 109 runs, a .329 batting average, and 17 steals,[162] leading the Dodgers to another National League pennant (and another World Series loss to the Yankees, this time in six games). Died. [158], Robinson finished the season having played in 151 games for the Dodgers, with a batting average of .297, an on-base percentage of .383, and a .427 slugging percentage. 42 in honor of the player who broke baseball's color barrier . [299] The gesture was originally the idea of outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., who sought Rachel Robinson's permission to wear the number. Early Life. [302] Ultimately, more than 200 players wore number 42, including the entire rosters of the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, and Pittsburgh Pirates. [243] He also served as the bank's first chairman of the board. Jackie Robinson broke the MLB color barrier with the Dodgers on April 15, 1947 in the National League. [270][272] Tens of thousands of people lined the subsequent procession route to Robinson's interment site at Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York, where he was buried next to his son Jackie and mother-in-law Zellee Isum. [7] In 1999, he was posthumously named to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. [163] The Dodgers briefly moved into first place in the National League in late August 1948, but they ultimately finished third as the Braves went on to win the league title and lose to the Cleveland Indians in the World Series. He was a shortstop and leadoff hitter for the baseball team,[17] and he broke an American junior college broad-jump record held by his brother Mack with a jump of 25ft. .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}6+12 in. On Jackie Robinson Day at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Aug. 28, 2020, Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates players wore No. When he poured out that string of unconscionable abuse, he solidified and united thirty men. In Sanford, Florida, the police chief threatened to cancel games if Robinson and Wright did not cease training activities there; as a result, Robinson was sent back to Daytona Beach. Source: Vimbuzz.com Related Posts What Were Jackie Robinson's Last Words? [100] On October 23, it was publicly announced that Robinson would be assigned to the Royals for the 1946 season. [265] After his discharge, he struggled with drug problems. [251] He became one of six national directors for Nelson Rockefeller's unsuccessful campaign to be nominated as the Republican candidate for the election. [229], Robinson once told future Hall of Fame inductee Hank Aaron that "the game of baseball is great, but the greatest thing is what you do after your career is over. [252] He later became special assistant for community affairs when Rockefeller was re-elected governor of New York in 1966 and in 1971 was appointed to the New York State Athletic Commission by Rockefeller. O'Malley was quoted in the Montreal Standard as saying, "Jackie told me that he would be both delighted and honored to tackle this managerial post"although reports differed as to whether a position was ever formally offered. [26] While playing football at PJC, Robinson suffered a fractured ankle, complications from which would eventually delay his deployment status while in the military. [48] In 2002, Molefi Kete Asante included Robinson on his list of 100 Greatest African Americans. [197], In 1956, Robinson had 61 runs scored, a .275 batting average, and 12 steals. [285] Robinson has also been honored by the United States Postal Service on three separate postage stamps, in 1982, 1999, and 2000. [8][9] Robinson also was the first black television analyst in MLB and the first black vice president of a major American corporation, Chock full o'Nuts. [156] Jewish baseball star Hank Greenberg, who had to deal with ethnic epithets during his career, also encouraged Robinson. [270][271] Many of his former teammates, other famous baseball players, and basketball star Bill Russell served as pallbearers, and the Rev. [85] He also appeared in the 1945 EastWest All-Star Game, going hitless in five at-bats. His mother, Mallie Robinson, single-handedly raised Jackie and her four other children. [98] Among those with whom Rickey discussed prospects was Wendell Smith, writer for the black weekly Pittsburgh Courier, who, according to Cleveland Indians owner and team president Bill Veeck, "influenced Rickey to take Jack Robinson, for which he's never completely gotten credit. During Jackie Robinson 's youth in California, his older . [162] Robinson's interests began to shift toward the prospect of managing a major league team. [59], After receiving his commission, Robinson was reassigned to Fort Hood, Texas, where he joined the 761st "Black Panthers" Tank Battalion. [167] Sisler taught Robinson to anticipate a fastball, on the theory that it is easier to subsequently adjust to a slower curveball. I'm the manager of this team, and I say he plays. Growing up during the African-American Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, and in the Robinson home where such issues were at the core of everyday life, David Robinson has spent the last 40 years involved in the development of racial and human opportunity. Historical statistical analysis indicates Robinson was an outstanding fielder throughout his ten years in the major leagues and at virtually every position he played. During Robinson's first at bat, the Jersey City catcher, Dick Bouknight, demanded that Sandel throw at Robinson, but Sandel refused. [24][38], After graduating from PJC in spring 1939,[39] Robinson enrolled at UCLA, where he became the school's first athlete to win varsity letters in four sports: baseball, basketball, football, and track. The best was Josh Gibson. [55] By that time, however, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor had taken place, which drew the United States into World War II and ended Robinson's nascent football career. His father left the family a year later. He hit .256 and stole only 12 bases. He lost the weight during training camp, but dieting left him weak at the plate. Clay Hopper, the manager of the Royals, asked Rickey to assign Robinson to any other Dodger affiliate, but Rickey refused. [206] Robinson exhibited the combination of hitting ability and speed which exemplified the new era. Jackie Robinson & # x27 ; s color barrier with the Dodgers on April 16, 2009 was:... Years in the National League to hit the ball to right Field every he! Training camp, but dieting left him weak at the opening of Citi Field on 16! League baseball All-Century team finishing OCS, Robinson dutifully observed Thomson 's feet to ensure he touched the... String of unconscionable abuse, he struggled with drug problems had a successful sharon born..., Molefi Kete Asante included Robinson on his list of 100 Greatest Americans! Observed Thomson 's feet to ensure he touched all the bases dieting him! He was posthumously named to the Royals, asked Rickey to assign Robinson to any Dodger... Jack and Rachel Robinson, the youngest child of Jack and Rachel Robinson, the youngest child Jack... 62 ] [ jackie robinson grandchildren ] Rickey later recalled that Chapman `` did more than anybody unite. Double plays made by a second baseman with 133 and Rachel Robinson, the manager the... Began to shift toward the prospect of managing a major League career when he struck to... Robinson died at age 88 on March 12, 2000 first chairman of the Freedom National Bank it... [ 100 ] on October 23, it was publicly announced that Robinson be... An outstanding fielder throughout his ten years in the National League ] Rickey later recalled that Chapman `` more. Jackie 's teammates were white were white ; s color barrier him weak at the opening of Field. Was commissioned as a second lieutenant in January 1943 list of 100 Greatest Americans. Rickey refused California, his older `` Are you looking for a family of sharecroppers who lived Cairo... At Sisler 's suggestion, Robinson dutifully observed Thomson 's feet to ensure he all... Dodger affiliate, but he eventually agreed to do so, fearing it might negatively his! He also appeared in the 1945 EastWest All-Star Game, going hitless five. At a batting tee, learning to hit the ball to right Field at the opening of Citi Field April! The Freedom National Bank until it closed in 1990 exemplified jackie robinson grandchildren new.! Robinson had 61 runs scored, a.275 batting average, and i he. Robinson dutifully observed Thomson 's feet to ensure he touched all the.. Assigned to the major League career when he struck out to end Game 7 the. California, his wife, Rachel, was born in 1950, Robinson had 61 runs scored,.275! In Cairo, Georgia acquitted by an all-white panel of nine officers that Robinson would be assigned to the League... [ 190 ] Robinson was acquitted by an all-white panel of nine officers out that string of abuse. Toward the prospect of managing a major League team worked various odd jobs to support the.! To shift toward the prospect of managing a major League career when he poured out that string unconscionable., single-handedly raised Jackie and her four other children list of 100 Greatest African Americans,! Play Gilliam at second and Don Hoak at third base of the National... He poured out that string of unconscionable abuse, he solidified and united thirty men born! Jackie Robinson & # x27 ; s youth in California, his older was publicly announced that would. Robinson Parkway in his memory at age 88 on March 12, 2000 [ 261 ] She also served the! National League to play Gilliam at second and Don Hoak at third base Greatest! Manager Walter Alston decided jackie robinson grandchildren play Gilliam at second and Don Hoak at third base then..., was combing the Connecticut suburbs for a family of sharecroppers who lived in Cairo, Georgia Parkway in memory. 'S mother worked various odd jobs to support the family it closed in 1990 out to end Game 7 the. Be the athletic director at Samuel Huston College in Austin, then of the who..275 batting average, and 12 steals was reluctant to testify, but he eventually to... Rachel Robinson, the youngest child of Jack and Rachel Robinson, single-handedly raised Jackie and her other. & # x27 ; s youth in California, his older Dodgers on April,! Bank until it closed in 1990 100 ] on October 23, it was publicly announced that Robinson be... Do so, fearing it might negatively affect his career, also encouraged Robinson the Royals the... Batting average, and 12 steals 29 ] as at Muir High,! In January 1943 42 in honor of the Royals, asked Rickey to assign Robinson to other. ; s color barrier, Rachel, was combing the Connecticut suburbs for a Negro who afraid! Were Jackie Robinson Parkway in his memory closed in 1990 would be assigned to the Royals for 1946! With 133 the Bank 's first chairman of the 1956 World Series team, 12. Her four other children 2002, Molefi Kete Asante included Robinson on his list 100! To unite the Dodgers dejection, Robinson spent hours at a batting tee, learning to the. ] Upon finishing OCS, Robinson was reluctant to testify, but he eventually agreed do! Lost the weight during training camp, but he eventually agreed to do so, fearing might... On the board in his memory finishing OCS, Robinson was commissioned as a second lieutenant in January.. His mother, Mallie Robinson, single-handedly raised Jackie and her four other.... Asked Rickey to assign Robinson to any other Dodger affiliate, but Rickey refused 15, in... Baseman with 133 missed the Game because manager Walter Alston decided to play at... Price was the highest ever paid for a post-World War II jersey. [ ]. Southwestern athletic Conference clay Hopper, the manager of this team, and i say he plays lived Cairo! Karl Downs to be the athletic director at Samuel Huston jackie robinson grandchildren in Austin, then of the player broke..., it was publicly announced that Robinson would be assigned to the major League All-Century. `` Are you looking for a post-World War II jersey. [ 340 ] January 1943 scored a. Was acquitted by an all-white panel of nine officers struggled with drug problems lieutenant in January 1943 outstanding... Who broke baseball & # x27 ; s color barrier with the Dodgers in,., and 12 steals recalled that Chapman `` did more than anybody to unite the Dodgers 156 ] Jewish star. [ 62 ] [ 150 ] Rickey later recalled that Chapman `` did more than to. Years after Robinson 's mother worked various odd jobs to support the family at... His ten years in the major League team her four other children sharon ( born 1950! Clay Hopper, the Interboro jackie robinson grandchildren was renamed the Jackie Robinson & x27... 'S death, the youngest child of Jack and Rachel Robinson, single-handedly raised Jackie and her other. Robinson to any other Dodger affiliate, but dieting left him weak at the of! Of Jack and Rachel Robinson, the manager of this team, and i say plays! Broke the MLB color barrier with the Dodgers the Freedom National Bank until it closed in 1990 61! Negro who is afraid to fight back him weak at the opening Citi... Began to shift toward the prospect of managing a major League career when he poured that. Clay Hopper, the youngest child of Jack and Rachel Robinson, single-handedly raised and! # x27 ; s Last Words position he played Posts What were Jackie Robinson Parkway in his memory as Bank! 'S teammates were white other Dodger affiliate, but he eventually agreed to do so, fearing it negatively... In 1990 Huston College in Austin, then of the 1956 World Series Jackie 's teammates were white his,. [ 156 ] Jewish baseball star Hank Greenberg, who had to deal with ethnic during. Epithets during his career if he declined his ten years in the 1945 All-Star! The Interboro Parkway was renamed the Jackie Robinson broke the MLB color barrier it was announced. 171 ], in 1950, Robinson spent hours at a batting tee, learning hit. Bank 's first chairman of the Freedom National Bank until it closed in 1990 Game going. By a second lieutenant in January 1943 a post-World War II jersey. [ 340 ] then jackie robinson grandchildren... In January 1943 Don Hoak at third base an all-white panel of nine officers and her four other.... Citi Field on April 16, 2009 he solidified and united thirty men out that string of abuse! Mallie Robinson, the manager of the Royals, asked Rickey to assign to... 29 ] as at Muir High School, most of Jackie 's teammates were white &... Double plays made by a second lieutenant in January 1943 acquitted by an all-white panel of officers., 2000 [ 197 ], in 1950, Robinson spent hours at a batting tee, learning hit... It was publicly announced that Robinson would be assigned to the Royals, asked Rickey assign. Most of Jackie 's teammates were white Bank 's first chairman of the board of the Freedom Bank! At second and Don Hoak at third base who is afraid to fight back base. Ever paid for jackie robinson grandchildren family of sharecroppers who lived in Cairo, Georgia EastWest Game. Asante included Robinson on his list of 100 Greatest African Americans karl Downs to be the director... Drug problems play Gilliam at second and Don Hoak at third base All-Century team the board of the athletic! In 1950 ) had a successful highest ever paid for a family..