Hannah Reynolds Dr.

Esh History of the American Culture April 7th 2013 The First Steps In Jackie Robinson and the Integration of Baseball, Scott Simon weaves history, social activism and baseball into the story that paved the way for many African Americans who wanted nothing more than to be granted the same rights as any other human being(Simon) Jackie Robinson exemplified courage from the very minute he stepped into major leagues, adorned in Dodger blue. As the first African American ballplayer of the twentieth Jackie Robinson became known most and admired for his personality, athleticism and his stubbornness to not fight back. Nevertheless Simon makes him out to be a man who bore the daily trials and malicious attacks in the first year as a major league player. Robinson changed more than just the game on the diamond field and the outlook of Major League Baseball he changed history. It is a story that endures all the nicks and nits of revisionism because, when the last page is turned, it plays on in our minds and lives: a bold man, dark skinned and adorned in Dodger blue, who displays the daring and audacity to stand unflinchingly against taunts, strike back at beanballs, and steal home with fifty thousand people watching and waiting for Jackie Robinson to spring willingly into the path of a pitched ball and slide into the ironbound clench of a catcher protecting home plate. At the end of World War II, the United States was both a citadel of freedom and a bastion of segregation. (Simon pg. 11) Jackie Robinsons struggle against racism did not begin on the baseball field of Ebbets Field or Brooklyn Brown

Dodgers; his fight began with the army. Robinson, an all-star athlete at UCLA, was integrated through his sports teams and life as a college student. Entering the U.S. Army Robinson was exposed to major segregation with separate barracks, and the denial of officers training, in which he was qualified for. Eventually Jackie Robinson was appointed lieutenant and in 1944 due to a misunderstanding of race and foul language Robinson was court martialed and later honorably discharged. Little did he know that this court martial would change his life. This lead Robinson into the Negro Leagues as a shortstop and later the majors. At the close of World War II, no nation was freer or stronger than the United Statesand yet few major nations so openly subjugated so many of their own citizens. (Simon pg. 12) The debate of integrating blacks into the Major League Baseball waged on. Kenesaw Landis, baseball commissioner stated, baseball players in the Negro League were just too successful to want play in the majors (Simon pg. 45). On April 16, 1945, Jackie Robinson along with Sam Jethroe and Marvin Williams met at Fenway Park at the innovation of reporter Wendell Smith. Here were three men in whom Smith believed to be the best of the best in the Negro League, but like the players, he knew the roster had been set. Each man was given a fair tryout and than turned away. Boston was just about as interested in signing Jackie Robinson as it was in a return of the Tea Tax (Simon pg. 51). Boston may not have been ready to integrate baseball but Branch Rickey and the Brooklyn Dodgers saw this as an opportunity to win what they most desired: the World Series. Perhaps organized sports became the first great public test of segregations because fairness is fundamental in competitive games. (Simon pg. 44) Branch

Rickey, wanted to break baseballs racial barrier and he believed Jackie Robinson was just the man to do it. In Brooklyn it was more about the game of baseball than integration. Brooklyn saw Robinson as a man playing on their team that could help them beat the Yankees. Through Robinsons rise into the Dodgers organization, Simon describes the importance of Branch Rickeys support and encouragement and just how much he gave to Jackie Robinson. Im looking for a ballplayer, with the guts not to fight back (Simon pg. 81). Throughout the rest of Robinsons career he did just that. In the year 1947, Simon outlines Jackie Robinsons success from rookie to Rookie of the Year. Simon brings Robinsons accomplishments along side current events during this time. On July 20, Bugsy Siegel was shot through the living room window of his home in Hollywood On July 24, Jackie Robinson stole home. (Simon pg. 141) Robinsons signature move and what he became known for. It wasnt perhaps the fact that Jackie Robinson was an innovator in the civil rights movement but that each time he walked out on the field he was alone, with only his mitt and a promise to not fight back even when encouraged. Jackie Robinsons story like most ended in a sad and discouraging way. Walter O Malleya name you dont say aloud in parts of Brooklyn even todaytraded Jackie Robinson to the Giants. (Simon pg. 152) But Robinson weary in both spirit and body turned the offer down calling an early retirement. Robinson broke the trail in 1947 for many to follow him. Robinson continued to fight civil rights and stand up with Martian Luther, But through it all the story that remains in the hearts and lives of Americans everywhere is that of an athlete, most known for his 1947 season, a

black man adorned in Dodger blue. It is a story that still rouses us to sake off dust, blood and bruises and keep going, it is the story of Jackie Robinson.