1. Jackie Roosevelt Robinson
The Man Who Broke the
Color Barrier

2. Baseball’s color barrier, which stood unbroken until Jackie Robinson crossed the diamond lines on a fateful day in 1947, was one of America’s most visible symbols of segregation.

3. While it was uncommon to hear of integrated teams in college or on the club level, the fact that the Major Leagues would not allow in presented a major obstacle to Africa-American success and a tremendous blot on the pride and equality of a people.

4. An early 20th Century picture of an amateur, all-Negro baseball club.

5. Harvard University had an integrated baseball team as early as 1904, a rarity in America.

6. Jackie Robinson as a 2nd Lt
Jackie Robinson as a 2nd Lt. during WWII and faced discrimination during his military service.
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7. Robinson served in the military, receiving Army training during the second World War.
Robinson was court-martialed and was threatened with a dishonorable discharge for refusing to accept a seat at the back of a military bus.

8. Before joining the Major Leagues, Robinson played on the Negro League’s Kansas City Monarchs.
In one famous incident, Robinson refused to let his teammates by fuel for their bus if the station attendant did not let the Negro players use the restroom.
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9. An original painting of Jackie Robinson concerning his time playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers’ Minor League affiliate, the Montreal Expos.

10. Life for the Negro League athletes, with segregated restrooms,water fountains, and movie theatres, was difficult beyond words.
The Negro Leagues, a twisted version of the “separate but equal idea” were not equal in anyone’s mind. The Negro Leagues often, as in the case of this flyer, had to resort to clownishness in order to attract customers.

11. All though Robinson faced initial opposition from to his integration experiment, they quickly grew to love and support Robinson.
Robinson all out play and his team attitude helped certainly, but so did the often blatantly racist and ignorant views and malicious actions expressed by some of the Dodgers’ opponents.

12. Jackie shakes hands with teammate George Shuba after his first ever Major League Home run.

13. A color photo of the Brooklyn Dodgers standing around a batting cage when Jackie was a veteran. Note the absence of diversity even after Robinson integrated the Dodgers.
It would be a few years before players like Roy Campanella become common in the “Bigs.”
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14. The handshake of teammates on the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Pee Wee Reese, long held as a racist, was instrumental in support of Robinson when Jackie first joined the Dodgers.
Robinson himself was crucial in paving the way for later black athletes. Willie Mays once said, “I don’t make history, I chase fly balls.”, a reference to Jackie’s impact on the game and minorities role in baseball.
The handshake of teammates on the Brooklyn Dodgers.
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15. Jackie joined the Majors in 1947 and won the Rookie of the Year, and later won the MVP in 1949.

16. Jackie Robinson appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated in May 1997 as Major League Baseball recognized his accomplishments in integrating baseball by retiring his number on all 30 Major League teams.

17. Jackie Robinson in Hollywood filming The Jackie Robinson Story
Jackie Robinson in Hollywood filming The Jackie Robinson Story. Although some considered Robinson’s motives to be purely monetary, Robinson’s story spread his efforts for equality to the film masses.
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18. A Screenshot from The Jackie Robinson Story, spread the difficulties Robinson encountered in Baseball, albeit in a changed tone.
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19. One of the most famous pictures of Jackie Robinson- his breathtaking steal of home plate.
Robinson, it’s interesting to note, brought a running style back to baseball not seen since the days of Ty Cobb, an outspoken racist.
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20. Jackie playing ball with his son, Jackie Jr
Jackie playing ball with his son, Jackie Jr. during his twilight years in Brooklyn.

21. Some of Robinson’s most important work for American Civil Rights came after his playing days.
Though often overlooked, Robinson work establishing the Freedom Bank and marching with Martin Luther King, as well as his service to the NAACP were valuable contributions to America that are never recognized to the extent they deserve.

22. Jackie Robinson and his wife Rachael at Robinson’s ground breaking induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

23. After his playing days were over, Jackie immersed himself in the American Civil Rights Movement, working for the NAACP and advising the Rev. Martin Luther King and the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

24. An older Jackie Robinson with his son Jackie Jr
An older Jackie Robinson with his son Jackie Jr. taking part in the March on Washington with Rev. Martin Luther King. The Civil Rights Movement occupied almost all of Robinson’s post-baseball years.
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25. In addition to his work with Martin Luther King, Jackie Robinson helped organize the Freedom National Bank, which extended loans to minority business and home owners.

26. A copy of a Jackie Robinson baseball card.

27. Robinson is regarded by baseball historians as one of the most complete players to ever man second base in the big leagues.

28. Robinson’s career stats place him in elite company, alongside Joe Morgan as the greatest second baseman to ever play the game.

29. Bibliography
Barber, Red When All Hell Broke Loose in Baseball. Garden City, NY: Doubleday Co., 1982.
Duckett, Alfred. Jackie Robinson: I Never Had It Made. NewYork, NY: G. P. Putnam’s Sons Co., 1972.
Allen, Maury. Jackie Robinson: A Life Remembered. New York, New York: Franklin Watts Co., 1987.