Outline

Jackie Robinson - Thesis

Jackie Robinson, the first African-American in Baseball, transformed the face of
American sports forever. With the help of the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Branch Ricky,
they worked for reforms in the sports community. The positive contribution that Robinson had
was played the first game of any kind in organized athletics in which a white man shared the
field with an African-American and this lead to many other people of other races to play on
professional teams with white people.

I.

Early Life - Jackie Robinson

Quotes:
A. The grandson of a slave, Jack Roosevelt Robinson was the youngest of five children
and spent his early years in Georgia. After his father deserted the family when Jackie
was six months old, his mother, Mallie Robinson, moved the family to California in
search of work.
B. When he was in school, many of the other kids were racist towards him.
Comment: This explains that Jackie Robinsons childhood was filled with racism, much like
many other black people at this time.

II.

Early Life - Jackie Robinson

Quotes:
A.

The young Jackie defused his anger over this prejudice by immersing himself in
sports. He displayed extraordinary athletic skills in high school, excelling at football,
basketball, baseball, and track.

Comment: Despite segregation in America, Jackie did not let this stop him. He had a short
temper, but he distracted himself with sports. He played on all black teams, since they were
all separated. In all of the sports he was involved in, he excelled. Jackie was better than most
people on all of his teams.

II.

Early Life - Jackie Robinson

Quotes:

A.

He attended John Muir High School and Pasadena Junior College, where he was
an excellent athlete and played four sports: football, basketball, track, and baseball.
He was named the region's Most Valuable Player in baseball in 1938.

B.

Jackie continued his education at the University of California, Los Angeles, where
he became the university's first student to win varsity letters in four sports

Comment: This shows that Robinson was one of the best athletes in his class at UCLA. He
was forced to leave just before graduation due to financial troubles.

II.

Adversity - Jackie Robinson

Quotes:
A.

Robinson joined the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro League in 1945 for a
reported $400 a month. Although he soon became one of the league's top players, he
was not fond of the low pay and relentless traveling and apparently had no intention
of making baseball a career.

Comment: Although he did not want baseball to be his career, Branch Ricky changed his
mind by offering him a spot on the Brooklyn Dodgers team.

II.

Adversity - Jackie Robinson

Quotes:
A.

Starting in 1943, Rickey had been searching for a black player to bring into the
major leagues, which were closed to blacks at the time.

Comment: Branch Ricky looked at many black athletes to consider for the Dodgers, but
chose Robinson saying he wanted someone with a future in baseball, not someone who
already has a history in baseball.

II.

Adversity -Jackie Robinson

Quotes:
A.

Despite the racial abuse, particularly at away games, Robinson had an outstanding
start with the Royals.

B.

His successful year led to his promotion with the Dodgers, and subsequently, his
history-making designation as the first African-American player in Major League
Baseball.

Comment: His success the first year led to the end of segregation in professional sports in
later years.

II.

Contribution - Jackie Robinson

Quotes:
A.

Robinson also became a vocal champion for African-American athletes, civil

rights, and other social and political causes. In 1952, he publicly called out the
Yankees as a racist organization for not having broken the color barrier five years
after he began playing with the Dodgers.

Comment: Robinson stood up for what he believed in and was a strong advocate of civil
rights.

II.

Contribution - Jackie Robinson

Quotes:
A.

In his later years, Robinson continued to lobby for greater integration in sports.

B.

After his death, his wife established the Jackie Robinson Foundation dedicated to
honoring his life and work. The foundation helps young people in need by providing
scholarships and mentoring programs.

Comment: This shows Robinson made a difference in things other than baseball as well.
Jackie and his wife started organizations to help children get scholarships for a better
education.

II.

Contribution - Jackie Robinson

Quotes:
A.

The courage and grace with which Robinson handled the abuses inspired a
generation of African Americans to question the doctrine of separate but equal and
helped pave the way for the Civil Rights Movement.

Comment: This portrays how Robinson made an impact on not only baseball, but also
society.