By: Anthony Schumaker

Early Life Was born January 31 1919 in Cairo, Georgia. Did not have a good childhood growing up. Mallie Robinson single- handle raised Jackie and her other four children. He was born in Cairo, Georgia, but later Jackie Robinson and his family moved to Pasadena, California.  Jackie Robinson's parents were Mallie and Jerry Robinson.  His father was a sharecropper, but left his wife and kids when Jackie was only six months old.  His mother did household chores for other families. Jackie had four older brothers and sisters.  They were Edgar, Frank, Mack, and Willa Mae Robinson. Jackie and his family were the only black family on their block. Jackie’s older brother Mack inspired him in the tell of athletics.

Education Pasadena Junior College. Attended John Muir High School. Pasadena Junior College. Continued school a the University of California. Jackie was forced to leave UCLA just shy of graduation. In 1941, Robinson left UCLA without his degree, and was hired to play football for the semipro Honolulu Bears. Robinsons football season was cut short do to world war II. After an exhibition game in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, with the Bears, Robinson was sailing home aboard the Lurline when the Japanese attacked pearl harbor

College Sports Jackie was the first student at UCLA to win 4 varsity letters in the sports he played. Robinson attended Pasadena Junior College so that he could remain in town to support his mother. As a record-breaking athlete at PJC, Jackie excelled in football, track , and baseball. In 1939, Robinson enrolled in the University of California, Los Angeles, where he became a football, basketball, track, and baseball star as well. During his first year at UCLA, Robinson met a young nursing student, Rachel Isum, whom he married on February 10, 1947. The two would produce three children: Jackie Jr., Sharon, and David.

college career Robinson attended Pasadena Junior College, where he continued his athletic career In 1938, he was elected to the All-Southland Junior College Team for baseball and selected as the region's Most Valuable Player That year, Robinson was one of ten students named to the school's Order of the Mast and Dagger , awarded to students performing "outstanding service to the school and whose scholastic and citizenship record is worthy of recognition. On the football team, he played quarterback and safety. He was a shortstop and leadoff hitter for the baseball team, and he broke school broad-jump records held by his brother Mack in track. While playing football at PJC, Robinson suffered a fractured ankle, complications from which would eventually delay his deployment status while in the military. He was one of four black players on the 1939 UCLA Bruins football team. this made UCLA college football's most integrated team. In track and field, Robinson won the 1940 NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship in the Long Jump, jumping 24 ft 10 1⁄4 in (7.58 m). baseball was Robinson's "worst sport" at UCLA; he hit .097 in his only season, although in his first game he went 4-for-4 and twice stole home

Army On April 3, 1942, Jackie Robinson was inducted Into the U.S. Army during world war II Robinson was accepted into officer candidate school. He graduated, earning his second lieutenant's bars on January 28, 1943, and was assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas. In 1942, Jackie Robinson was drafted into the military to a segregated cavalry unit in Kansas. There he also faced discrimination when he and other colored soldiers applied for Officer Candidate School and were later accepted after much fighting and debate. After completing it, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States military. Later in his career, in 1944, he was confronted with another situation. While on a military bus, he was asked to move to the back . After he refused, he was taken into custody and eventually transferred out of his unit. After being transferred, Jackie joined another unit but was court-martialled for insubordination and didn't ship out to Europe with his unit. However, in 1944, Robinson was exonerated at a trial and received an honorable discharge.

Negro League 1946 Jackie played for the Royals. Began playing baseball for the Negro League. 1946 Jackie played for the Royals. Was the first African-American to play in the international baseball league. Won the league batting title in the years of 1946 and 1947 as the second basemen. In early 1945, while Robinson was at Sam Huston College, the Kansas City Monarchs sent him a written offer to play professional baseball in the Negro leagues.Robinson accepted a contract for $400 The sport of baseball was segregated and African-Americans and Whites were separate into two different leagues. Although he played well for the Monarchs, Robinson was frustrated with the experience. He had grown used to a structured playing environment in college, and the Negro leagues' disorganization and embrace of gambling interests appalled him.[72][73] The hectic travel schedule also placed a burden on his relationship with rachel, with whom he could now communicate only by letter.[74] In all, Robinson played 47 games at shortstop for the Monarchs, hitting .387 with five home runs, and registering 13 stolen bases.[75] He also appeared in the 1945 Negro League All-Star Game, going hitless in five at-bats.

Branch Rickey 1919 developed the “farm system” 1942 Branch Rickey becomes president and GM of the Brooklyn Dodgers October 25, 1945 Branch Rickey announced his decision to sign Jackie Robinson to the previously all white Brooklyn Dodgers farm team. In 1919 Branch Rickey, then manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, devised what came to be known as the “farm system”; as the price of established players increased, the Cardinals began “growing” their own, signing hundreds of high-school boys. Other major league clubs followed suit, developing their own farm clubs that were tied into the minors. When Rickey joined the team in 1916, players were commonly purchased by major league teams from independent, high-level minor league clubs.Rickey, a keen judge of talent, became frustrated when the players he had scouted at the A and AA levels were sold by those independent clubs to wealthier rivals such as the Chicago Cubs and the New York Giants. With the support of Cardinal owner Sam Breadon, Rickey devised a plan whereby St. Louis would purchase and control minor league teams from Class D to Class AA , thus allowing them to promote or demote players as they developed, and "grow" their own talent. Rickey was a good friend of Brooklyn Dodgers general manager Larry MacPhail, himself a sound baseball man. MacPhail enlisted in the army to serve in World War II after the 1942 season, and the Dodgers hired Branch Rickey to replace him as President and GM, ending a tenure of over two decades with the Cardinals.

“I want a player with guts enough not to fight back.” –Branch Rickey Three hour meeting Graphically illustrated the difficulties that Robinson might face: Hostile teammates Abusive opponents Insulting fans Obstinate hotel clerks Racial comments “Mr. Rickey, do you want a ballplayer who’s afraid to fight back?”

Robinson’s Answer “Mr. Rickey, I think I can play ball in Montreal. I think I can play ball in Brooklyn. But you’re a better judge of that than I am. If you want to take this gamble, I promise you there will be no incident.”

Motivation College baseball manager at Ohio Wesleyan. Experiences made him want to bring about change. Hotel Incident Forfeit of Game "I may not be able to do something about racism in every field, but I can sure do something about it in baseball." Why would Rickey sign Robinson? His motivation came from his experiences. While he was the manager of the Ohio Wesleyan College Baseball team he saw first hand what black players had to deal with. One day when the team was travelling to an away game the team stayed in a hotel. One player Charles Thomas a black player was refused a room by the hotel clerk. Rickey had it out with the clerk but the incident left a lasting impression. Another incident with the team involved the opposing team kentucky actually forfeiting taking a loss rather than play against a team with an african american player. Branch rickey once said "I may not be able to do something about racism in every field, but I can sure do something about it in baseball." Another motivation OF COURSE was MONEY!!!! He wanted to be the first to sign these highly talented players.

Major Leagues 1947 Jackie was called up the major leagues. Was the first African-American to play in the major leagues. March 17 he played his first game. 1949 won the national league batting title. The move was one of the first historical events that took place in baseball history. People over the country and all races were shocked. Batting average of .342. 1949 won the national league most valuable player Selected rookie of the year.

Brooklyn Dodgers April 15,1947 Robinson debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers Many players on opposing teams threatened not to play against the Dodgers. Would put the prejudice and racial comments to the side. Would go on and hit 12 home- runs and would go on and help the Dodgers win the National League pennant. Was the highest paid player in Dodger history. April marked the first time an African-American played for the major leagues. Harassment continued however notably Philadelphia Phillies and their manager. Even Jackie’s own teammates threatened to sit out and not play in the game. His loyalty set the tones for the rest of Robinson’s career. Fans would call Robinson harsh names and throw things at him. The short stop and team captain Reese walked over to Jackie and put his arm around him. He would show what talent he had and that he belonged on the team. Robinson led the national league in stole bases. Stole home 19th times in that year. 1955 he would help the his team win the world series.

Reactions The newly installed Baseball Commissioner, was quoted as saying that: "if the African- Americans can fight and die in the South Pacific, they can play ball in America." He endured abuse and death threats and got off to a slow start. However, his athleticism and skill earned him the first ever Rookie of the Year award, which is now named in his honor. many Americans at the time viewed  baseball, as solely a “white” hobby, and that African Americans didn’t belong in the white "professional" baseball league, and that they should remain in their own leagues.

Records and Achievements 1947 First African American to play Major League Baseball 1947 Rookie of the Year 1949 National League MVP Appeared in six All Star games from 1949-1954 6 National League pennants 1 World Series win Stole home 19 times 1956 Retired with .311 batting average 1962 First African American inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame Was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame class of 1962. Brooklyn Dodgers retired Jackie Robinson #42 uniform June 4, 1972. On April 15, 1997, all of Major League Baseball also retired No. 42, officially making the 15th of April Jackie Robinson Day, in honor of his April 15, 1947, debut game In 1962, Robinson became the first African American to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. On June 4, 1972, the Dodgers retired his uniform, No. 42, alongside Roy Campanella's No. 39, and Sandy Koufax's No. 32.

Death He remained active, in national campaigns against drug addiction- -from which his son, Jackie Jr., had been recovering before he was killed in 1971 in an automobile accident Robinson died in Stamford, Connecticut, on October 24, 1972 Robinson's remains were laid to rest at the Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York. Jackie Robinson suffered a heart attack at his home in Stamford, Connecticut due to complications of heart disease. And died the next morning at 7:10 A.M. at the age of 53 years old. He had been in failing health for several years. He recovered from a heart attack in 1968 but then lost the sight of one eye and the partial sight of the other as a result of diabetes.

Jackie Robinson Foundation In 1973 Jackie’s family started the Jackie Robinson foundation They give out 250 scholarships year. Provided $50million in services 22 goes to scholarships. http://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=ILIA20AqA5I Offers African-Americans scholarships to a four-year collage. JRF Scholars are selected by 8 regional committees throughout the United States. His wife Rachel Robinson is still running the foundation.