BlogOn this date, 104 years ago, a baby was born who would do more than nearly any other American to break down racial barriers in society, simply by playing a game he loved, and setting an example of integration for a country in desperate need of leadership.
Jackie Robinson’s Birthplace, Thomasville, GA
When he was born on January 31, 1919, Jackie Robinson’s sharecropper parents could not have imagined the impact he would have on the world. Life was tough growing up outside the small town of Cairo, Georgia. Jackie had his older siblings to lean on and look up to, but when he was five, Jackie’s dad left the family, never to return.
These days, there’s nothing left where the small house once stood. But there is a memorial to the great athlete.
Memorial to Jackie and Matthew Robinson, Pasadena, CA
On her own, Jackie’s mom moved the five kids to Pasadena, California. And she must have been quite a mother! Not only did Jackie break the color barrier in baseball, his older brother Matthew “Mack” was a super fast runner. He competed in the same 1936 Berlin Olympics where Jesse Owens showed Hitler, and the world, that there was no place for discrimination in sports, or politics, or life. Mack came in second to Jesse, and won a silver medal.
Pasadena has since erected the Pasadena Robinson Memorial, to thank Jackie and Mack, two amazing sons of the city who excelled in their chosen fields, broke down barriers, and taught millions a lesson in humanity.
University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
After a lot of encouragement from his older brother and others, Jackie found his talent lay in athletics, and he went to UCLA, where he lettered in four different sports. It was at UCLA where he met his future wife. He left the school right before graduating to take a job and pursue a career.
His first attempts to play professional sports was with football, not baseball! He played semiprofessional football, but in 1941, the US got involved in World War II, and those plans changed forever.
During his service in the Army, Jackie was encouraged to pursue a career in baseball, reigniting old dreams and desire. After a short stint in the Negro league, and the Minors, he was signed to play with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York
On April 11, 1947, Jackie Robinson made his major league debut at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, as a Brooklyn Dodger. While most of the crowd was neutral or supportive of integration, a vocal minority made their feelings clear. However, Jackie was stoic in his play, and ignored the hatred and bigotry of others.
He played his entire career as a Dodger, retiring right before he was traded in 1956. Ebbets Field was home field for the Dodgers back then, before the team moved to LA. Later, the arena was razed and an apartment complex was built on the site. In 1972, the building adopted the name the Jackie Robinson Apartments in honor of the man who integrated baseball.
Home in Queens, New York
Racism and discrimination were as prevalent off the field, and Jackie had a hard time finding a place for his family to live. After two years of renting an apartment they couldn’t even officially sign the lease to, they were able to buy a home in a recently-integrated area of Queens.
Robinson’s family weren’t the only famous Black residents; Count Bassie and Herbert Mills also lived in the area. Jackie and his family lived here in Addisleigh for about seven years. The family moved when he retired from baseball.
Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, New York
On his first year of eligibility, on the first ballot, Jackie Robinson was voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, an honor among MLB players. The hall of fame includes around 350 players, managers, umpires, and other influential individuals, who are voted on by the baseball writers of America.
The museum and hall of fame are wonderful places for baseball aficionados. They can see memorabilia, important items from baseball history, learn about the game and the people who play it, and more.
As we look back on this true American hero, let’s take to heart the words emblazoned on his headstone:
A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.
Thank you, Jackie.
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