This Day in History: April 15, 1947 and 1997
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A life is not important except in the impact it has on others lives. ~Jackie Robinson
A life is not important except in the impact it has on others lives. ~Jackie Robinson
The year: 1947. The game: Baseball. The outcome: Breaking a racial barrier.
Baseball from its inception was known as "white" baseball. As with many aspects of life in late 19th century America, baseball was segregated. Over many decades black players were members of the Negro leagues only. It did not matter how good a player one might be, simply the color of his skin could keep him out of the Major League. Some really great African-American players did cross the threshold of the racial barrier, however, but not as Negros. Instead, they were listed as Hispanic or Native American.
So, why was Jackie Robinson chosen to break the racial barrier?
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Robinson actually became baseball's "great experiment," an experiment that transformed our national pastime into an integrated game. Brooklyn Dodgers general manager, Branch Rickey, scouted for just the right player to bring about the desegregation of the major leagues. He looked for a
skilled African-American ballplayer who would also be able to handle
the prejudice, pressure, and hype. He found in Jackie Robinson the skills and expertise he was looking for and talent on the field that was absolutely phenomenal! Rickey signed a contract with Jackie Robinson knowing he was a strong individual capable of standing up to intense public observation and able to avoid confrontation even when met with insults and hostility.
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