Kansas City Monarchs
After Jackie received his discharge from the army in November of 1944, he joined the Kansas City Monarchs, a negro league team, for the 1945 season. He played with Leroy "Satchel" Paige, who became one of the best pitchers in the MLB for the Cleveland Indians. Jackie disliked the way white men gambled and the way they treated the players. Jackie was ready to give up baseball when a man from the Brooklyn Dodgers came and offered him an interesting proposal.
Jackie in a Monarchs uniform
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Satchel Paige
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Branch Rickey
Branch Rickey was the General Manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Rickey had an idea, with the white players at war, he would recruit black players to take their place. The cover-up was the Brooklyn Brown Dodgers, which was a pretend new Negro League team that would play at Ebbets Field during away games. He instantly knew that Robinson was the man. On October 23, 1945, Jackie made up his mind after a conversation he had with Mr. Rickey:
Rickey: "I know your a good ballplayer, but I don't know if you have the guts."
Robinson: "Mr. Rickey, are you looking for a negro who's too afraid to fight back?"
Rickey: "Robinson, I'm looking for a ballplayer with guts enough not to fight back."
Rickey: "Jackie, We've got no army. There's virtually nobody on our side. No owners, no umpires, very few newspapermen. And I'm afraid that fans
will be hostile. We'll be in a tough position. We can win only if we can convince that I'm doing this because your a great ballplayer and a fine
gentlemen."
On that day Jackie signed a contract with Brooklyn's minor league team, the Montreal Royals, for $600 a month and a $3,500 signing bonus.
Rickey: "I know your a good ballplayer, but I don't know if you have the guts."
Robinson: "Mr. Rickey, are you looking for a negro who's too afraid to fight back?"
Rickey: "Robinson, I'm looking for a ballplayer with guts enough not to fight back."
Rickey: "Jackie, We've got no army. There's virtually nobody on our side. No owners, no umpires, very few newspapermen. And I'm afraid that fans
will be hostile. We'll be in a tough position. We can win only if we can convince that I'm doing this because your a great ballplayer and a fine
gentlemen."
On that day Jackie signed a contract with Brooklyn's minor league team, the Montreal Royals, for $600 a month and a $3,500 signing bonus.
Jackie and Branch discussing the contract
Montreal Royals
Jackie debuted with Montreal on April 18, 1946. He had a total of 4 Hits, 4 RBIs, and 2 Stolen Bases. Jackie excelled through out the 1946 season, especially in special games between the Dodgers. He had season totals of a .346 Batting Average, scored 113 times, and had the best fielding percentage in the minors.
A teammate congratulating Jackie after a home run
Brooklyn Dodgers
On April 10, 1947 Jackie signed a contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Jackie debuted on April 15th at first base. He didn't get a hit, but it was just the beginning of the season. In that rookie year he was the first ever player to steal home plate. He played red hot for the rest of his rookie season which won him Inaugural Rookie of the Year Award. He led the league that year with 29 stolen bases. In July 1987 they renamed the award after Jackie.
In 1949, Jackie Robinson won the Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award. Years went by and the Dodgers kept losing to the New York Yankees every World Series. The "Wait 'til Next Year!" saying was born.
Jackie's outspoken way, got people talking:
"I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me... All I ask is that you respect me as a Human Being."
"There's not an American in this country free until every one of us is free."
"Life is not a spectator sport. If you're going to spend your life in the grandstand just watching whats going on, in my mind your just wasting your life."
Jackie's outspoken way, got people talking:
"I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me... All I ask is that you respect me as a Human Being."
"There's not an American in this country free until every one of us is free."
"Life is not a spectator sport. If you're going to spend your life in the grandstand just watching whats going on, in my mind your just wasting your life."
Jackie and the MVP Award
In 1955, the Dodgers made it to the World Series yet again vs. the Yankees. But in game one something historical happened, Jackie became the first player to steal home in a World Series. The Dodgers were inspired for the rest of the series and finally defeated the Yankees! It was a miracle and also the only time the Dodgers would win a World Series in Brooklyn.
In 1957 Jackie Robinson was diagnosed with diabetes. Jackie struggled when he found out before the 1958 season that he had been traded to the San Francisco Giants and that the Dodgers were moving to Los Angeles. He retired on January 10th, 1958. Jackie Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame July 23, 1962.
Career Statistics
Games: 1382
At Bats: 4877
Hits: 1518
Runs Scored: 947
Doubles: 273
Triples: 54
Home Runs: 137
Runs Batted In: 734
Strike Outs: 291
Walks: 740
Batting Average: .311
Stolen Bases: 197
Stole Home: 19 Times
At Bats: 4877
Hits: 1518
Runs Scored: 947
Doubles: 273
Triples: 54
Home Runs: 137
Runs Batted In: 734
Strike Outs: 291
Walks: 740
Batting Average: .311
Stolen Bases: 197
Stole Home: 19 Times
Jackie Leaves the Clubhouse for good
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Jackie Robinson is inducted into the Hall of Fame
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