Jackie Robinson in the Big Leagues
Sixty years ago on April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson, became the first African-American to play baseball in the Major Leagues. The Brooklyn Dodgers president and manager Branch Rickie scouted and hired Jackie to be the first ballplayer in 57 years to break the color line.
During his first season with the Dodgers, Robinson was continually harassed by players and fans alike. On the field he received verbal assaults and harassment, while off the field, death threats and hate mail were common. Some teammates even considered refusing to play for the Dodgers if Robinson was allowed to play. The Dodgers quickly responded telling any player that refused to play would be traded or fired.
In his first season in “the bigs” Jackie hit .297 and led the National League in stolen bases. He was also voted Rookie of the Year.
During his baseball career, he was a Most Valuable Player once, played in six World Series and was a six-time All-Star, helped the Dodgers beat the Yankees to the 1955 World Series, and stole home an astonishing 19 times. In 1962, his first year of eligibility, he was elected to the Hall of Fame and the Dodgers retired Jackie’s number 42.
Jackie’s strong support of equal rights did not start on the baseball field. During World War II, Jackie was court-martial for insubordination during his military service. As a second lieutenant, he refused to move to the back of a segregated military bus when ordered. He was later aquitted of the charge by a military jury.
After his death, he was awarded the presidential medal of freedom by Ronald Reagan, and the Congressional Gold Medal. Major league baseball also rename the Rookie of the Year Award, the Jackie Robinson Award.
Jonathan Eig discusses his book, Opening Day: The Story of Jackie Robinson’s First Season in a lunch time lecture at the National Archives. Eig has also written Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig.
Jackie Robinson Lecture with author Jonathan Eig
National Archives and Records Administration - Jefferson Room (upper level)
700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC
Date and Time - Wednesday, April 18th at Noon. Use the Special Events entrance on Constitution Ave.
Tickets - This event is free.
Nearest Metro subway station - Archives/Navy Memorial - Green and Yellow lines
Photo Credits - photos 2 and 3 The Sporting News
__________________________________________________________
Washington DC, DC, Washington, travel, Washington DC travel, travel, vacation, b5 media, tourist information, local attractions, site seeing, The DC Traveler, DC travel information, Jackie Robinson
Related Stories
POSTED IN: People, Special Events, Sports & Recreation
0 opinions for Jackie Robinson in the Big Leagues
No one has left a comment yet. You know what this means, right? You could be first!
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: