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Jackie Robinson

by Nikki from Calgary, Alberta, Canada

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."
Jackie Robinson Web (I made it myself.)
Jackie Robinson Web (I made it myself.)

My hero's name is Jackie Roosevelt Robinson. He was born in Cairo, Georgia to a family of sharecroppers in 1919. He grew up with his mom, Mallie, and his four brothers and sisters in Cairo, Georgia. At times they didn't have enough to eat. Edgar was the oldest, then Frank, then Mack, then Willa Mae, the only girl, and then little baby Jackie. When Jackie had free time he stole stuff from stores. Jackie’s dad, Jerry, ran away with another woman when Jackie was only 6 months old. Jackie went to the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA). He loved to read and play sports. He was the first athlete to win varsity letters in four sports; basketball, baseball, football and track.

Jackie Robinson Portrit (I made it myself.)
Jackie Robinson Portrit (I made it myself.)

Jackie really liked baseball and he was good at it (like most sports). Jackie joined an all black baseball team for the first time. It was called the Kansas City Monarchs, but he only played with them for a year. Branch Rickey, the Brooklyn Dodgers general manager, wanted to bring several blacks into the major leagues together. Jackie was assigned to the Dodgers' minor league team in Montréal, Canada. Before the season began he married Rachael Isum. In 1947 he began his rookie year with the Dodgers at the age of 28. He had stolen home nineteen times in his career. And once stole way around the bases. What actually made Jackie well known is that he was the first black person in the modern era of the major leagues.

A picture of Jackie on a stamp (http://www.answerpoint.org/images/jackie_stamp.jpg)
A picture of Jackie on a stamp (http://www.answerpoint.org/images/jackie_stamp.jpg)

I would describe Jackie as smart, brave, adventurous, magical, kind, caring, active, awesome at baseball, healthy and always kind to others. I think being a hero means to be a role model for kids by acting mature and doing good stuff in your life and not always doubting yourself. I think that Jackie follows those thoughts of mine so I would call him a hero. Jackie Robinson is dead, and how did he die, you ask? Well, Jackie Robinson died on October 24th 1972, he had diabetes and he died was he was only 53!!! I chose Jackie to be my hero because he inspired me and he was my first choice because I love sports. Also I wanted to know more about him. I have learned loads of info on him while doing this project! Before this project I only knew that he broke the color barrier in the major leagues!!!

Jackie sliding home. (I made it myself.)
Jackie sliding home. (I made it myself.)

After the 1956 season the Brooklyn Dodgers traded Jackie to the New York Giants for Dick Littlefield along with $30,000. To boost his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, he took part in the “March on Washington”, with Martin Luther King in 1963. He was elected to the baseball hall of fame in 1962. He was the first African-American to be so honoured. When Jackie retired Rachel Robinson returned to school to earn her masters degree in nursing from the New York University. Jackie did a lot of campaigning against drugs. Over all I think Jackie R. Robinson is the perfect example of a hero.

Jackie's Jersey (http://www.baseballasamerica.org/images/jackie_robinson_jersey.jpg)
Jackie's Jersey (http://www.baseballasamerica.org/images/jackie_robinson_jersey.jpg)

Page created on 4/10/2008 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 4/10/2008 12:00:00 AM

The beliefs, viewpoints and opinions expressed in this hero submission on the website are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, viewpoints and opinions of The MY HERO Project and its staff.

Related Links

Offical Website of Jackie Robinson - has good information
Life Before the Major Legues - good information on Jackie's early life
Jackie Robinson - Info on ALL of jackie's life
Jackie Robinson Quotes - Lots of quotes from Jackie Robinson
CBC- The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - A video about Jackie