I apologise for being inactive the past few days. I was quite busy because it was my birthday. When I first started this month, I was so excited to talk about a particular player. So I needed to choose the right time to introduce him. He has a lot of influence in sports. Since the majority of my friends were unaware of him, I chose him. When they admitted they had never heard him, I was stunned. For me, it was crucial that everyone shoul be familiar with this player. Did you find him? I asked you if you would be interested in learning about an inactive player because of him.
Jackie Robinson is the player I'm honouring today. I had planned to write this article on February 21 but ran out of time. He was the first black player in the MLB. Racial segregation existed in professional baseball before April 15, 1947, which meant that black players were not permitted to play alongside white players.
Jackie was unique; he was the first to earn varsity letters in four different sports. He competed in track, football, basketball, and baseball. He was one of four black players on the UCLA football team when he played for them. UCLA became the most diverse squad. Baseball was ironically his "worst sport" in college. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor put a stop to his football career, which he hoped to continue.
Jackie was given a position in a segregated Army cavalry unit in 1942. He applied for admission to an officer candidate school along with several other black soldiers, but once more because they were black, their applications were delayed. Nonetheless, he eventually received a second lieutenant commission. The 761st "Black Panthers" Tank Battalion was where he enlisted. Robinson hopped on an Army bus as he awaited the medical test results. Robinson was requested to move to the back of the bus by the driver, but he refused. Robinson was given to the military police by the bus driver, who then arrested him. He was transferred to the 758 Battalion when his previous commander refused to allow legal action. There, his new commander did not think twice to accuse Jackie of several violations like public intoxication even though Jackie did not consume alcohol. He was ultimately found not guilty after the counts against him were reduced to just two. Although his former squad was the first black tank to engage in combat during World War II, Robinson was never in a battle.
Robinson obtained a new position after being let go. He took over as the basketball team's coach. Jackie accepted an offer to play professional baseball in the N**** leagues in 1945 and signed a 400-dollar-per-month contract. He contributed to the squad well, but he did not particularly enjoy the league. His playing environment was structured, whereas the N**** league was chaotic. Jackie attended a tryout for the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Jackie experienced racial discrimination even though the stands were limited. He felt humiliated after the tryout. But, other organizations were really considering recruiting a black player. Jackie then met with the Brooklyn Dodgers' general manager. The manager questioned his ability to remain unaffected by any racial animosity. He signed a contract for $600 per month and pledged to refrain from retaliation. Because the manager believed that every player in the N**** league was a free agent, he did not offer his previous team any money. Some black players were irritated by his new contract because he wasn't the league's best player but still received it.
Robinson travelled to Florida in 1946 to participate in spring training with the Montreal Royals. He was not permitted to remain in the same hotel as his white colleagues because of the controversy surrounding his presence in Florida. The majority of training institutions at the time declined to work with him. Eventually, the Royals were permitted to host a game, and on March 17, 1946, Jackie made his debut. His first year was challenging for him because most places did not welcome him, but Jackie had support from the Montreal crowd. He was signed by the Dodgers in 1947, and he debuted with the team wearing number 42. At his first game, he was 28 years old and played in front of a crowd of 26,232 people, of which more than 14,000 were black. He was quite well pursued outside of the club, but it was more difficult within the team. Some teammates claimed they would prefer to sit than play with him. But the manager quickly responded that he didn't give a damn about colour; all that mattered to him was the money. He wasn't treated well by other players in the league, and some even told him to "go back to the cotton fields." Yet, some players gave him support. The first opponent to wish him well was Lee Handley. Pee Wee Reese said: « You can hate a man for many reasons. Not one of them is colour. Several more black players, including Satchel Paige and Larry Doby, were recruited after Robinson joined the league.
Jackie Robinson signed the largest deal of any Dodgers player in 1950 because he was one of the league's greatest players. It was a $35 000 yearly salary. He appeared in a movie about his life that same year. His only championship came in 1954, but it was also the weakest year in his career. Finally, he made his retirement announcement.
This player was my choice because he inspires me. His number 42 was retired all around the league. In any sport, he was the first athlete to get such recognition. Every player play with the number 42 on April 15 in his honour. The civil rights movement valued him greatly. Also, he became the first black MLB television analyst. Despite the fact that his wife is still living, he passed away at the age of 53. She is a century old! The purpose of this post, which I hope you found fascinating, was to introduce you to an incredible source of inspiration. A movie called 42 was made about his life. The actor Chadwick Boseman is portraying him. I heartily suggest seeing this film. Of course, baseball is included, but the story focuses more on this man's life and his struggle for civil rights. Happy Black History Month.
Source :Jackie Robinson - Wikipedia
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