Jackie Robinson

In honor of Black History Month, every school day The Cardinal will feature a prominent and/or historical Black American, living or dead, who has worked toward change, advancement, and/or world peace. Some of them are heroes, and some are unsung heroes, who deserve recognition, and have made a contributions to make society a better place.

February 9, 2024

Jackie Roosevelt Robinson was a baseball player and born on January 31st, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia.

Robinson’s middle name was in honor of President Theodore who died 25 years before he was born. Robinson was the youngest of five siblings. The family moved to Pasadena, California in 1920, after his father left. He graduated from John Muir High School and then attended Pasadena Junior College. During that time, he played basketball, baseball, football, and track. Robinson wasn’t the only athlete in the family. His older brother, Mathew Mackenzie Robinson won a silver medal in the 1936 Summer Olympics, where he broke the 200-meter record.

After graduating, Robinson went to UCLA, where he became the school’s first athlete to win varsity letters in four sports: baseball, basketball, football, and track but then he was drafted into the army and served for two years. He was honorably discharged in 1944 and married his wife Rachel Robinson on February 10th, 1946. He had three children: Jackie JR, Sharon, born in 1950, and David, born in 1952.

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson played first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers which led to the end of racial segregation in professional baseball. He changed baseball for many players after him. He won Rookie of the Year in 1947 and he won most valuable player in 1949, and then he Robinson decided to retire instead of playing for the Giants the Dodgers Rivals, and then in 1997 the Dodgers retired his uniform number 42 a, and in 1997 and started the tradition of Jackie Robinson Day started on April 15th, 2004.

Robinson died of a heart attack in October 1972 at just 53 years old. Robinson has been a significant figure in baseball and his legacy remains today. He changed the game for so many after him. Robinson spent nine years with the Dodgers and his record included 311 batting average 137 home runs 374 batted in and 197 stolen bases.

About the Contributor

Judith Sanchez, Staff Writer

Judith Sanchez was born in San Diego California. She has five siblings and is a junior at Hoover High School. She is sixteen and is in the ALMA academy and is part of the class of 2025. In her free time, she likes to read books, watch movies and TV, watch tictoks, sleep, eat, cook, color her hair, and spend money. Judith's favorite color is blue, her favorite animal is a dog, and her favorite superhero is Iron Man and she loves Italian food. She doesn't have many goals right now but she does hope to graduate. Her biggest fear is drowning and she is scared of heights but likes roller coasters. She also is afraid of rats. She doesn't know what she will do in the future but hopes she makes a lot of money.