Your Baseball Experience

Jackie Robinson – The man who changed the face of baseball

https://youtu.be/zzkPsIEiTsA?si=gZnCmjAGgahp2DnN

There are two men in baseball history that every American should learn about: Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson. Ruth deserves to be remembered primarily for what he did between the lines, Robinson for simply crossing the line. After Branch Rickey bravely signed him to a contract, Robinson broke the “unwritten” color barrier when he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. He endured taunts, insults, threatened boycotts, death threats, isolation, and immense pressure to become the best all-around player in the National League. He won Rookie of the Year honors, the Most Valuable Player Award, and led Brooklyn to six pennants in ten years. After his playing career he emerged as an important civil rights leader in America.

October 9 1956 New York Yankees at Brooklyn Dodgers World Series Game 6

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Where He Played Everyone remembers Robinson as a second baseman, but he actually won the Rookie of the Year Award as a first baseman. But in 1948, the Dodgers dealt second baseman Eddie Stanky to the Braves, to help clear up their infield crowding. Young Gil Hodges was given the first base job, and Jackie was inserted at second base. He continued to play second until 1953, when Junior Gilliam played himself into the keystone spot. Robinson split time between left and third for the remainder of his career. By all accounts, the shifting of Robinson by the Dodgers was not because they lacked confidence in his defensive play, but rather that Jackie was the most versatile athlete on the team.

Some Great Feats . . . In 1947 he paved the way for African-American players to advance to Major League Baseball when he debuted as the first black player in more than 50 years... On August 29, 1948, Robinson hit for the cycle... On April 23, 1954, Jackie stole second, third, and home in the same inning.

The Jackie Robinson All Time Teammate Team C: Roy Campanella 1B: Gil Hodges 2B: Junior Gilliam 3B: Billy Cox SS: Pee Wee Reese LF: Dixie Walker CF: Duke Snider RF: Carl Furillo SP: Don Newcombe SP: Carl Erskine SP: Johnny Podres SP: Preacher Roe SP: Sandy Koufax RP: Clem Labine M: Clyde Sukeforth

Notable Achievements[edit] ML Rookie of the Year Award (1947) 7-time All-Star (1945 & 1949-1954) NL MVP (1949) NL Batting Average Leader (1949) NAL Total Bases Leader (1945) NAL Doubles Leader (1945) NAL Home Runs Leader (1945) 2-time League On-Base Percentage Leader (1945/NAL & 1952/NL) 2-time NL Stolen Bases Leader (1947 & 1949) 100 RBI Seasons: 1 (1949) 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 6 (1947-1949 & 1951-1953) 200 Hits Seasons: 1 (1949) Won a World Series with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1955 Baseball Hall of Fame: Class of 1962

Where He Played Everyone remembers Robinson as a second baseman, but he actually won the Rookie of the Year Award as a first baseman. But in 1948, the Dodgers dealt second baseman Eddie Stanky to the Braves, to help clear up their infield crowding. Young Gil Hodges was given the first base job, and Jackie was inserted at second base. He continued to play second until 1953, when Junior Gilliam played himself into the keystone spot. Robinson split time between left and third for the remainder of his career. By all accounts, the shifting of Robinson by the Dodgers was not because they lacked confidence in his defensive play, but rather that Jackie was the most versatile athlete on the team.

Some Great Feats . . . In 1947 he paved the way for African-American players to advance to Major League Baseball when he debuted as the first black player in more than 50 years... On August 29, 1948, Robinson hit for the cycle... On April 23, 1954, Jackie stole second, third, and home in the same inning.

The Jackie Robinson All Time Teammate Team C: Roy Campanella 1B: Gil Hodges 2B: Junior Gilliam 3B: Billy Cox SS: Pee Wee Reese LF: Dixie Walker CF: Duke Snider RF: Carl Furillo SP: Don Newcombe SP: Carl Erskine SP: Johnny Podres SP: Preacher Roe SP: Sandy Koufax RP: Clem Labine M: Clyde Sukeforth

Notable Achievements[edit] ML Rookie of the Year Award (1947) 7-time All-Star (1945 & 1949-1954) NL MVP (1949) NL Batting Average Leader (1949) NAL Total Bases Leader (1945) NAL Doubles Leader (1945) NAL Home Runs Leader (1945) 2-time League On-Base Percentage Leader (1945/NAL & 1952/NL) 2-time NL Stolen Bases Leader (1947 & 1949) 100 RBI Seasons: 1 (1949) 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 6 (1947-1949 & 1951-1953) 200 Hits Seasons: 1 (1949) Won a World Series with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1955 Baseball Hall of Fame: Class of 1962

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Quotes

“He was a great competitor who could do it all. He was a great player, a manager’s dream… If I had to go to war, I’d want him on my side.” – Leo Durocher

“Jackie Robinson was the greatest competitor I ever saw. He didn’t win, he triumphed.” – Ralph Branca

“Every time I look at my pocketbook, I see Jackie Robinson.” – Willie Mays

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