The first
The first reason Jackie Robinson was responsible for a turning point in history is he broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. At the time Jackie entered the MLB, 100% of the players were white. Today 38.5% of players in the MLB are people of color; of those players, 8.8% are African Americans (down from a peak of 27% in 1975, but now on the rise again after several decades of decline).
After playing one year in both the Negro League and the Minor Leagues, on April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play in the Major Leagues. This was a ground breaking event because of the bravery it took for a black man to attempt to break the color barrier at this period in time. If it wasn't for Jackie Robinson, it could have taken another 20 or 30 years for Major League Baseball to have its first non-white player.
After playing one year in both the Negro League and the Minor Leagues, on April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play in the Major Leagues. This was a ground breaking event because of the bravery it took for a black man to attempt to break the color barrier at this period in time. If it wasn't for Jackie Robinson, it could have taken another 20 or 30 years for Major League Baseball to have its first non-white player.
courage
http://www.pophistorydig.com/?tag=branch-rickey-jackie-robinson
Before his first game, Jackie received a letter that read, "Robinson, we are going to kill you if you attempt to enter a ball game at Crosley Field" (Ward). Jackie didn't let this letter bother him and he played in the game; when he stepped on the field, he tipped his cap to a crowd of 26,623 people, 14,000 of whom were black, and he got a standing ovation.
This not the only hate mail that Jackie received. Robinson often was given letters like this one before games.
This not the only hate mail that Jackie received. Robinson often was given letters like this one before games.
The right choice
http://thegrio.com/2010/04/15/jackie-robinson-day-is-under-way-in-americas-ballparks/
Jackie would have never played in this historic first game if not for years of strategic planning by the Brooklyn Dodgers' General Manager, Branch Rickey. Rickey had a plan to integrate baseball years before 1947.
However, he kept this plan a secret because he knew that he would probably be stopped if too many people found out; Branch Rickey sent scouts looking for either an African American or Latino player who could not only play well, but also understand what it took off the field.
Their search uncovered Jackie Robinson.
They felt Robinson had the best shot at succeeding; he was tough, well spoken, and a great athlete. He did not disappoint. Jackie made history by becoming the first African American to play in Major League Baseball.
However, he kept this plan a secret because he knew that he would probably be stopped if too many people found out; Branch Rickey sent scouts looking for either an African American or Latino player who could not only play well, but also understand what it took off the field.
Their search uncovered Jackie Robinson.
They felt Robinson had the best shot at succeeding; he was tough, well spoken, and a great athlete. He did not disappoint. Jackie made history by becoming the first African American to play in Major League Baseball.