Jordan
September 26, 2011

Maury Allen's Jackie Robinson: A Life Remembered In baseball, there are winners and losers. And then there Jackie Robinson. The story of Jackie Robinson and his boldness is an inspiration to all blacks and minorities. He faced bigotry and hatred, both on and off of the baseball diamond, and overcame the 'color barrier' for all people. In a world of segregation, he set the precedence that will be held in the future of sports all around the world. Sports lovers and civil rights supporters will love this book because it shows the break-through he made in both sports and civil rights. The 1920's were more than just a recession in wealth. It was also a recession in morals and the equality of human life. Being the youngest of 5 kids and the son of a single mom, Jack Roosevelt Robinson's life was difficult. But what made it difficult wasn't just the poverty, it was the skin color. In their neighborhood, they were the only black family; therefore, there was constant prejudice toward them. Mack Robinson, Jackie's older brother, was a fantastic runner. He received a silver medal in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Being that Mack was an all-star, Jackie was always in his brother's shadow until high school, when he started to blossom as an athlete. After graduating from Muir High School, He went on to Pasadena City College, where he would excel in basketball, football, track, and baseball. next, he looked to further his education by going to UCLA. There, he became the first athlete to letter in 4 sports. Once out of high school, he went to Hawaii to play professional football for one season with the Honolulu Bears. After the season ended, he left Hawaii and joined the U.S. Army, eventually becoming an Officer. After being honorably discharged on grounds of ankle injuries, he applied and got a job at a small college in Houston, Texas as a basketball coach. He wasn't making a lot of money, so when he was given an opportunity to play for the Kansas City Monarchs, the best professional baseball team in the Negro league, he willingly took it gratefully. Branch Rickey, owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, had scouted out Jackie, and wanted him. Many wonder why he signed Jackie Robinson, the first ever black man to play in major league baseball. Was it for the publicity? Was it to win? Or, was is to break the barrier for African Americans all around the sports world? Jackie Robinson was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945. From there, it was not an easy road. Other teams treated him terribly. Even