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Thursday, 5/1/97 Robinson's major league success a triumph for baseball history

By Tim Yun Daily Bruin Contributor On April 15, 1997 the baseball game at Shea Stadium between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets was interrupted after the fifth inning, to celebrate that fifty years prior to that day, Jack Roosevelt Robinson became the first black player to play in major league baseball. Many important figures were on hand to honor his legacy, including baseball commissioner Bud Selig, Robinson's widow, Rachel Robinson and President Bill Clinton. "Jackie Robinson ... proved that America is a stronger, better, richer country when we all work together and give everyone a chance," President Clinton said, as he addressed a national audience. during the mid-game ceremonies. On that April night in 1947, Robinson not only became the first black player in the major leagues, but he also became an important part of the foundation on which racial equality would be built. Contrary to popular belief, Robinson did not begin his professional baseball career with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization. After a stellar athletic career at UCLA, Robinson signed his first contract with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues in 1945. He fared well in the league, batting an unofficial .345, which earned him a trip to the league's all-star game. On August 28, 1945, Branch Rickey, then-president of the Brooklyn Dodgers, made a bold move. Going against many social norms in that era when segregation was commonplace, Rickey signed Robinson to a contract to play for the Dodgers. Almost immediately, Rickey faced fierce opposition. His peers blamed him for corrupting society and ruining the game of baseball. But Rickey remained steadfast in his convictions that he was doing the right thing. In 1946 Robinson began his stint with the Dodgers' minor league affiliate, the Montreal Royals. He made an immediate impact with the team, winning the batting title that year with a .337 average. His on-the-field heroics helped lead the team to the "Little" World Series. The next year he was called up to the major leagues. Robinson made his Major League Baseball debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field in a night game against the Boston Braves. It was an inauspicious start to a stellar career: Robinson went 0-for-3, but scored the winning run. Throughout that rookie season in 1947, Robinson had much more than baseball to worry about. Everywhere he went he heard harsh racial epithets uttered by fans and fellow players. He had to deal with segregated accommodations in hotels and in locker rooms when the team traveled. And Robinson received death threats from across the country. But instead of allowing the constant problems to hold him back from his athletic aspirations, Robinson drew strength from the adversity. Instead of taking all of the distractions to heart, he maintained his concentration and produced a stellar season that won him Rookie of the Year honors. (The award would later be renamed the Jackie Robinson Award in 1982.) He played in 151 games (out of 154), had 175 hits, 12 home runs, 29 steals, 48 runs batted in and scored a league-high 125 times. The season culminated in a trip to the World Series where the Dodgers faced the New York Yankees. Robinson contributed to the cause by batting .259, stealing three bases and scoring twice. It was an incredible season for a man who had to endure such pressure on and off of the field. His success in the league continued on for nine more years, but perhaps his finest season came two years after his debut. In 1949, Robinson moved over to second base, where he staked his place in baseball lore. His .342 batting average and league-leading 39 stolen bases merited him Most Valuable Player honors. In his ten-year career, Robinson was named to six all-star teams and helped the Dodgers win six National League titles. In 1955 his heroics in the World Series against the Yankees provided the Dodgers with their only win over the Yankees in the fall classic. He wound up with a .311 career average, over 1,500 hits and 197 stolen bases. In 1962 Robinson took his place among the baseball immortals who reside at Cooperstown, New York, in the Hall of Fame. It was a befitting end to a great career. Robinson, who overcame many extenuating circumstances, was in a league of his own. Fifty years after Robinson ran onto the field for the first time in a Dodgers uniform, Major League Baseball took unprecedented action and retired Robinson's jersey number 42 from baseball forever. By doing so, baseball would indicate that there is no individual, past or present, who could mean more to the game of baseball than Robinson. "Throughout its long history, Major League Baseball has operated under the premise that no single person is bigger than the game - no single person other than Jackie Robinson," baseball commissioner Bud Selig said. Related Daily Bruin Stories: Thursday, 4/10/97: Alumni made new baseball stadium, name possible Tuesday, 4/15/97: Thanks to Robinson, a new fan is born Tuesday, 4/15/97: Score one for humanity Thursday, 4/17/97: Glimpse of future in legend's beginnings Thursday, 4/24/97: A Bruin for all seasons Related Links: The Jackie Robinson Society Negro Leagues Online Archives Major League