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In 1945, Branch Rickey felt the time was right to hire African American baseball players.
All he needed was the right man. Scouts told him about Jackie Robinson’s skills. So the two men met. Rickey told him all the insults he’d hear if he tried to play Major League Baseball. Then he asked if Robinson could listen to this without losing his temper. Robinson replied, “Mr. Rickey, are you looking for a Negro who is afraid to fight back?” Rickey answered, “Robinson, I’m looking for a ballplayer with guts enough not to fight back.” Jackie Robinson said he could be that ballplayer.
▲ Jackie married Rachel on February 10, 1946. He faced many challenges. Her love and support gave him the strength to deal with them.
◀ In 1946, Jackie Robinson went to a Florida spring training camp. He was playing for the Montreal Royals. That was one of the Dodgers’ minor league teams. Training in the South was rough. Jackie’s teammates stayed at a fancy whites-only hotel. The Robinsons had to stay at an African American family’s house. Plus, there were laws saying whites and African Americans couldn’t play together in public parks. Some of the Royals’ games were cancelled. But when the Royals played their first game in Montreal, Canada, fans welcomed Jackie Robinson. That year, he led the Royals to the minor league world championship.
Robinson moved up to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. He was given number 42. He soon became a big help to the team. Most Brooklyn fans welcomed Robinson. However, some away games got nasty. At one, the Philadelphia Phillies yelled nonstop insults at Robinson. Dodgers teammate Eddie Stanky had already told Robinson, “I don’t like you.” But Stanky shouted to the Phillies: “Listen, you yellow-bellied cowards, why don’t you yell at somebody who can answer back?” By the end of 1947, the Dodgers had won the National League pennant. Jackie had been named Rookie of the Year. ▶
◀ Most of Robinson’s teammates on the Dodgers admired his skills and character. Some fans did not. Here are two of the many pieces of hate mail that he received.
▲ Pee Wee Reese was from Kentucky. He became a close friend of Jackie’s. At one game, fans yelled at Reese. They asked why a man from the South was playing ball with a Black man. Instead of answering, Reese walked over and leaned his arm on Robinson’s shoulder to show his support. Here, Reese and Robinson warm up before a game.
◀ After Robinson’s first two years as a Dodger, Branch Rickey told Jackie the experiment had worked. Now Jackie could do or say anything he wanted. From then on, Jackie Robinson spoke his mind. Some people hated it, but most liked his honesty.
▲ Rickey never wanted Robinson (left) to be the Dodgers’ only African American player. He signed Dan Bankhead in 1947. Soon, Don Newcombe (right) and Roy Campanella (center) joined the team.
A Jackie Robinson baseball card can sell for thousands of dollars today.
◀ Jackie and Rachel Robinson had three children. Pictured, from left, are Sharon (born in 1950), David (born in 1952), and Jackie Junior (born in 1946). Jackie was a dedicated dad. He always enjoyed the time he could spend with his kids.
