In 1947, when Jackie Robinson was called up to the Brooklyn Dodgers from the minor league Montreal Royals, he not only became the first African-American to play in the major leagues, he changed the entire future for African-Americans.
From its beginnings in 1880 until the late 1940s, professional baseball was always and forever a white man's sport. Players of color, regardless of ability, were relegated to the "Negro leagues". The white-only tradition was so entrenched that no one thought for a moment it would, or even could, be challenged.
But due to the bravery of a few (white) baseball officials, in particular the Dodgers' president and general manager Branch Rickey, that's exactly what happened.
By inviting Robinson to play with the Dodgers, Rickey defied more than 60 years of tradition, knowing he was going head-to-head with all the other managers and players in baseball. And in spite of dire warnings from Rickey about what he would be faced with, Jackie Robinson knew there was a lot more at stake than winning some baseball games. By donning Dodger uniform number 42, he accepted the role of pioneer, and stepped bravely into a minefield of vicious racial insults.
Robinson endured months and years of abuse, and not just from a bigoted media. Tens of thousands of fanatical baseball fans considered it their right to express their feelings - especially of displeasure - as loudly and clearly as possible. But what hurt the worst was abuse from fellow players, even on his own team.
But veteran Detroit Tigers star Hank Greenberg told him during a game that the best solution was to beat them on the field at their own game. In the 1930s, when Greenberg started playing, anti-Semitism was rampant - not just in baseball but around the world. Greenberg was the sport's first Jewish superstar, and he got there by pounding in more home runs than anyone else. The 6' 4" Greenberg shut the bigots up big time by becoming a five-time All-Star, Most Valuable Player of the Year, and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Robinson knew that Greenberg's advice was hard-won; he'd heard all the stories. Through his own exemplary play as a slugger, base-stealer and all-around player, Robinson soon silenced his critics. No reply could have been more effective than winning the Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award the very first year!
Through ten more seasons before retiring, Robinson played in six World Series, helping the Dodgers bring home the 1955 crown. He was an All-Star for six years in a row, and won the National League's Most Valuable Player Award in 1949 - the first black player to ever receive it.
Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. In 1997, Major League Baseball retired number 42 from all major league teams - a great honor indeed.
Through his personal determination and will to succeed, Jackie Robinson opened the door for players of color in baseball, and contributed to the integration of sports across America and to the civil rights movement itself.
At Novus Medical Detox Center we work every day with people who through their own courage and determination overcome the negativity of substance abuse and dependence and begin fresh new lives. We thought you might like to read one of their success stories.
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Seaman:
(Ultram, Valium, Lexapro, and Seroquel)
"I can't imagine any improvements to suggest to management that would, in my opinion, better one's stay at Novus.
I have my favorites, but it would be unfair to name them as all personnel showed an equal amount of compassion, professionalism and personal interest.
More impressive than the food was the will to please of all kitchen staff. Their attitude and flexibility to guests' needs and happy nature.
Your staff at Novus once again made my detox as smooth and comfortable as one could hope for. JJ and others have gone the distance in trying to aid me and direct me toward after care possibilities. My sincere thanks to all. Patty, thank you for your care and compassion - you are a kind and wonderful person." |
