Jackie Robinson Biography

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“Jackie Robinson.” 2012. Biography.com 19 Sep 2012. 03:26 http:/www.biography .com/people/jackie-robinson-9460813 Jackie Roosevelt Robinson was born January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia. (http:/www.biography .com/people/jackie-robinson-9460813.) He had four other siblings and was raised in relative poverty by a single mother, Mallie Robinson. Robinson attended John Muir High School and then later Pasadena Junior College. He excelled in athletics, including track, football, basketball, and most importantly baseball. At the University Of California Los Angeles, Jackie was the first student to win Varsity letters in four sports. (http:/www.biography .com/people/jackie-robinson-9460813.) Jackie Robinson’s fight for equality began during World…show more content…
At this time, African Americans and whites played in separate leagues. He began playing in the Negro Leagues, until he was chosen to help integrate Major League Baseball, by the Vice President of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Branch Rickey. In 1946, he began spring training with the Montreal Royals and on March 17, 1946 he played his first game with the Royals. Despite the racial abuse, Robinson had an outstanding start with the Royals, leading the International League with a .349 Batting Average and a .985 fielding percentage. (http:/www.biography .com/people/jackie-robinson-9460813.) His excellent performance led to his promotion to the Brooklyn Dodgers. On April 15, 1949 the game of baseball was changed forever. This day marked the first time an African-American athlete played in the major leagues. On April 15, Jackie Robinson broke the “color barrier” and ended approximately eighty years of baseball being segregated. Beginning on April 15, 2004 Jackie Robinson Day was initiated for the first time. This is a traditional event which occurs annually in Major League Baseball. It commemorates and honors one of the most inspirational athletes to ever play the game of baseball. On the same day every year, April 15, the day Robinson made his MLB debut, players all around the league show their appreciation for Robinson by wearing the number 42. Jackie Robinson was a baseball
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