Jackie Robinson

JACKIE ROBINSON In 1947, in Brooklyn, New York, a Dodger runner was on third base. He took a long lead off. Then, as the pitcher wound up, the runner broke for home. He slid in under a storm of dust. He was safe! The crowd cheered for Jackie Robinson. He was a different kind of runner. Robinson was different in another way, too. He was the only black player on the entire field.

​Black players had their own leagues, and those leagues had many great players. Jackie Robinson was special, though. He was the first great black player to play in the major leagues. As a boy, Robinson played many sports, but baseball was his great love. The Brooklyn Dodgers wanted the best players they could find. Their owner did not care what color the player's skin was. He found Jackie Robinson. In 1947, Robinson became the Dodger's first baseman.

​His first year was not easy, but that didn't stop Robinson. Others even tried to hurt him, but that didn't stop Robinson. His great speed made him exciting to watch. His batting helped the Dodgers win many games. That year they won the National League title. Jackie Robinson was "Rookie of the Year." Robinson went on to lead the league in batting. In 1949, he hit .342. He left baseball in 1956, but he left behind him a grand record. He had opened the way for the other black players who followed him. Someone later said, "Great players come and go, but there will never be another Jackie Robinson."