Jack Roosevelt (Jackie) Robinson Essay -- Biography Robinson Baseball

Jack Roosevelt (Jackie) Robinson He was the first black person to ever be at bat in the Major Leagues, and made his name famous. But now, everyone seems to have forgotten this great legend. So I hope that this will refresh your memory, had if you’ve never heard of him this is what happened in his life: Born on January 31 1919 in Cairo Ga., Jack Roosevelt (Jackie) Robinson, he was raised on the Sasser Plantation. He grew up without a father who left for Florida with another mans wife, leaving his real wife (Mallie Robinson) to raise five kids: Mack, Jack, Edgar, Willa Mae, and Franck, on her own. After his father left Jack’s family became poor and had to live in a cabin. Soon after that, in 1920, Mallie sold a few of her family’s things and the family boarded a train to California. They bought a house on Pepper Street in Pasadena. As child, Jackie enjoyed sports as much as the next kid did. Just before he started school, he became ill with Diphtheria and almost died! He was an average student at his school, in the playground he realized that his amazing talent in sports made him stand made him stand out. More than once he came home with a pocket full of change or an extra lunch, because the kids bribed him into playing on their team. But his childhood wasn’t all-good, because all of his friendships ended after each game. Lucky for him he had four siblings to spend time with, who were all great athletes, including Willa Mae who was amazing at basketball. He also had some immigrant friends who called themselves "The Pepper Street Gang". Together they challenged white groups in sports for money. Jack’s skills bloomed all the way through grade school and into high school. At Washington Junior High Scholl, he played basketball, baseball, football, and track, leading his team for each sport. They made it to many of the championships to. Jack’s significant Atlanta exploded when he entered Muir Technical High School. He excelled at every thing. He became faster, and more agile making the football, baseball, basketball, and track teams. As for baseball, Jackie played catcher, even earned a spot on the state All Star team. Despite all that, baseball was his least favorite sport, and which gave him the most difficulty later on. During his senior years at Muir, Jack’s life wasn’t the best. At his last football game he was injur... ...Jack’s hard work, dedication, and love for the sport paid of when he won the MVP and "Rookie of the year" award with a batting average of .297, 125 and a record setting 29 stolen bases. That year he made the black people proud, and paved the way for current stars like Michael Jordan, Joe Carter, and others. Soon Jackie got married to Rachel Isum (whom he met at UCLA and by 1950 they had 2 kids Jackie Jr., and Sharon.) Jackie was soon the target of most commercial offers. He had his own game, stared in the movie, "The Jackie Robinson Story", and even had his own 15minute TV show, "Jackie Robinson’s Sports Classroom." He continued his career, and won many awards like the silver bat or the golden shoe award for best athlete. He ended his career in1956 with a batting average of .311 and by all. He made many public appearances, including his last one on October 15 1972. Jackie Robinson died 12 days later on October 27 1972. He won many awards and still had to put up with lots of abuse. But he was the best he could be. In conclusion I would like to quote Jackie by saying: "I was a black man in a white mans world. I never had it made."