Jackie Robinson Awarded Congressional Gold Medal
Kevin Agnese
Issue date: 3/9/05 Section: Perspectives
Robinson signed with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues in 1945 for $400 a month. In a league that included such stars as Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson, Robinson's batting average hovered near .400. During his time in Kansas City, Robinson's ability caught the eye of Branch Rickey, the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Late in the '45 season, Rickey approached Robinson with an idea. He wanted Jackie to play in the major leagues.
Rickey understood that it would take a special man to break baseball's color barrier. He told Jackie that he would face extreme racism, including acts of violence on the field. Rickey told Robinson that he could never fight back. He was on display for the entire country, and his image would be destroyed if he fought back. Robinson had to prove that he could sustain extreme pressure, so on 28 August 1945, Rickey met with Robinson for three hours. In a dramatization of hotel, restaurant, and game situations, he glared at Robinson, shouting demeaning words and phrases while observing Jackie's reactions. Satisfied that Robinson had the ability, stamina, and tolerance to sustain vast racism, Rickey signed Robinson to a contract with the Montreal Royals, the minor league affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers, on 23 October 1945.
After a successful 1946 season with Montreal, Jackie married Rachel Isum. Over the years the couple had three children, Jackie Jr., Sharon, and David. He was called up to the big leagues for the 1947 season, and on 15 April 1947, Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball's color barrier, playing first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers (the Dodgers played the Boston Braves) at historic Ebbets Field.
Many National League teams voted to go on strike when Robinson took the field. The leadership of Rickey, National League President Ford Frick, Baseball Commissioner Albert B. "Happy" Chandler, star Cardinal Stan Musial, and others, helped to prevent the strike. Robinson faced brutal racism in his first year on and off the field. Robinson was often spiked and thrown at. Many fans and opposing players shouted racial expletives at him. A simple handshake between Jackie and Dodger shortstop Pee Wee Reese went a long way, as it showed the Dodgers supported Robinson. Robinson held true to his end of the bargain, as he refused to fight back.
Rickey understood that it would take a special man to break baseball's color barrier. He told Jackie that he would face extreme racism, including acts of violence on the field. Rickey told Robinson that he could never fight back. He was on display for the entire country, and his image would be destroyed if he fought back. Robinson had to prove that he could sustain extreme pressure, so on 28 August 1945, Rickey met with Robinson for three hours. In a dramatization of hotel, restaurant, and game situations, he glared at Robinson, shouting demeaning words and phrases while observing Jackie's reactions. Satisfied that Robinson had the ability, stamina, and tolerance to sustain vast racism, Rickey signed Robinson to a contract with the Montreal Royals, the minor league affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers, on 23 October 1945.
After a successful 1946 season with Montreal, Jackie married Rachel Isum. Over the years the couple had three children, Jackie Jr., Sharon, and David. He was called up to the big leagues for the 1947 season, and on 15 April 1947, Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball's color barrier, playing first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers (the Dodgers played the Boston Braves) at historic Ebbets Field.
Many National League teams voted to go on strike when Robinson took the field. The leadership of Rickey, National League President Ford Frick, Baseball Commissioner Albert B. "Happy" Chandler, star Cardinal Stan Musial, and others, helped to prevent the strike. Robinson faced brutal racism in his first year on and off the field. Robinson was often spiked and thrown at. Many fans and opposing players shouted racial expletives at him. A simple handshake between Jackie and Dodger shortstop Pee Wee Reese went a long way, as it showed the Dodgers supported Robinson. Robinson held true to his end of the bargain, as he refused to fight back.