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Racism and Jackie Robinson
Racism: Definition• Racism is the belief that
race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. People with racist beliefs might hate certain groups of people according to their racial groups.
Baseball-Segregation
• Negro leagues due to Jim Crow legislation
• Shoddy conditions• No fine ballparks• Unreliable travel
arrangement• But…..lots of talent!!!!• Usually won all-star
games against white players
Branch Rickey
• General Manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers (now the LA Dodgers)
• Wanted to make baseball the national pastime for all Americans
• Needed to find a great African-American player who was also a great person
Jackie Roosevelt Robinson-great choice
• Signs with Rickey to play for Brooklyn Dodgers
• UCLA graduate and ex-Army officer
• Some players refused to play on a team with a black man– Rickey traded them
April 15, 1947-the barrier is down
• Played first game• 0 for 4 and did not do
much better for the rest of the week
• Despite verbal and physical abuse (other players spiking him), his bat came alive
First Season—already a stand-out!
• Stolen bases: first in league
• Tied for team lead in homers
• Sporting News “Rookie of the Year”
• Dodgers win National League title
• Attendance soared!
“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”