Instructions: Identify the Following

Question

Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Jackie Robinson was an American professional baseball player who became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the modern era. His full name was Jack Roosevelt Robinson, and he was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947.

Before his MLB debut, Robinson was a standout athlete at UCLA, where he became the university's first student to win varsity letters in four sports: baseball, basketball, football, and track. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he played for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Leagues.

Robinson's signing to the Dodgers was orchestrated by Branch Rickey, the team's president and general manager. Rickey was determined to integrate Major League Baseball and saw in Robinson the ideal candidate to break the color barrier due to his talent, courage, and strong character.

Robinson faced significant racism and hostility from fans, opposing teams, and even some teammates. Despite this, he demonstrated remarkable restraint and dignity, abiding by an agreement with Rickey to not retaliate against the abuse for his first few years in the league.

His on-field performance spoke volumes. In his first season, Robinson won the National League Rookie of the Year Award. He was an excellent all-around player, known for his base-stealing, batting prowess, and defensive skills. In 1949, he won the National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award and batting title. Over his career, he was selected for six consecutive All-Star Games (1949-1954) and helped the Dodgers win the World Series in 1955.

Off the field, Robinson used his prominence to advance the civil rights movement, becoming an outspoken advocate for racial equality. After retiring from baseball in 1956, he continued to work as an activist and was involved in business and community projects.

Jackie Robinson's legacy extends far beyond baseball. His jersey number, 42, was retired across all MLB teams in 1997, and every year on April 15th, MLB celebrates Jackie Robinson Day, where all players wear number 42 in his honor. Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.

Robinson's courage and achievements not only paved the way for other African American players in baseball but also contributed to the broader civil rights movement in the United States. He passed away on October 24, 1972, but remains a powerful symbol of the struggle for racial equality and the potential for sports to serve as a catalyst for social change.

Instructions: Identify the Following

Definitions: