He Changed Baseball . . . and the World!

It was April 15, 1947. The day was crisp and sunny—perfect weather for a baseball game. Thousands of people poured into Ebbets Field in New York to watch a team called the Brooklyn Dodgers. Many fans had come to see the team’s new player: Jackie Robinson.

Early on in the game . . . CRACK! A player on the other team hit the ball. He sprinted toward first base, where Robinson stood. Another Dodgers player snatched the ball and threw it to Robinson. Robinson caught the ball just before the runner reached first base.

“OUT!” shouted the umpire. Robinson had made a great catch­. He had also just made history.

It was April 15, 1947. The day was cool and sunny. It was perfect weather for a baseball game. Thousands of people came to Ebbets Field in New York. They were there to watch a team called the Brooklyn Dodgers. Many fans had come to see the team’s new player: Jackie Robinson.

Early on in the game . . . CRACK! A player on the other team hit the ball. He ran toward Robinson who was standing at first base. Another Dodgers player grabbed the ball and threw it to Robinson. Robinson caught the ball just before the runner touched first base.

The player was out! Robinson had made a great catch­. He had also just made history.

It was April 15, 1947. Thousands of people were at a baseball game in New York. There was a new player on the Brooklyn Dodgers: Jackie Robinson. 

Robinson played first base. He made a great catch. He also made history.

Robinson continued to be a star as he grew up. He became one of the best college athletes in the country. He dreamed of playing a professional sport. 

But Black athletes didn’t have the same opportunities as White athletes. So in 1944, Robinson joined the separate baseball league for Black players. He became one of the league’s many stars—and people around the country noticed. 

Around this time, people were also dreaming of ways to change baseball. One of these people was Branch Rickey, an owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Rickey wanted Black athletes and White athletes to play baseball together. For months, he searched for the right player to join his team. He wondered: Could Jackie Robinson be that player?

Robinson continued to be a star as he grew up. He became one of the best college athletes in the country. He dreamed of playing a professional sport. 

But Black athletes didn’t have the same opportunities as White athletes. So in 1944, Robinson joined the separate baseball league for Black players. He became one of the many stars in the league. People around the country noticed. 

Around this time, people were dreaming of ways to change baseball. One of these people was Branch Rickey. He was an owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Rickey wanted Black athletes and White athletes to play baseball together. He looked for the right player to join his team. He wondered: Could Jackie Robinson be that player?

But Rickey was worried about the treatment Robinson would receive because of his skin color. Robinson would face mean fans and players. He was up for the challenge, though. Robinson joined the Dodgers. It was a giant step forward. 

Sadly not everyone was excited. Some of his new teammates wanted to quit. Other players threw the ball at his head. Some fans screamed terrible words. But Robinson stood strong. He never yelled back. He was determined to show the world his skill.

The Dodgers made it to the championship that year. They lost. But newspapers voted Robinson the best new player in baseball. In 1949, he was named one of the most valuable players in baseball. He played for nine more years. In 1955, the Dodgers won the championship!

For the rest of his life, Robinson worked for equal rights for Black people. He helped take a stand against segregation. Today we remember Robinson as one of the greatest baseball players and a brave hero. 

Rickey had to find out. In 1945, he met with Robinson. He knew Robinson had enough talent to play on his team. He was worried though. Robinson would face hateful fans and players because of his skin color. 

But Robinson was up for the challenge. Excited and a little nervous, he joined the all-White team. It was an incredible step forward. 

Sadly, not everyone was excited. Some of Robinson’s new teammates threatened to quit. They didn’t want to play with a Black athlete. But the Dodgers manager stepped in. He told the players Robinson was joining the team—whether they liked it or not. 

On April 15, 1947, Robinson played his first game as a Brooklyn Dodger. He wore number 42 on his jersey. And with that first catch, he made history—and changed baseball forever. 

During his first season, Robinson faced challenges no other player had to deal with. Many people in the crowd screamed angry words at Robinson. They threw trash and food at him. 

Some players on other teams were even worse. They stomped on Robinson’s foot as they ran past first base. Pitchers threw the ball directly at Robinson’s head when he went to bat.

But Robinson stood strong. Determined to show the world his skill, he never yelled back. He kept playing. And the Dodgers kept winning.

Rickey had to find out. He met with Robinson in 1945. Rickey knew Robinson had enough talent to play on his team. He was worried though. Robinson would face mean fans and players because of his skin color. 

But Robinson was up for the challenge. Excited and a little nervous, he joined the all-White team. It was a giant step forward. 

Sadly, not everyone was excited. Some of Robinson’s new teammates wanted to quit. They didn’t want a Black teammate. But the Dodgers manager stepped in. He told the players Robinson was joining—whether they liked it or not. 

On April 15, 1947, Robinson played his first game as a Brooklyn Dodger. He wore number 42 on his jersey. And with that first catch, he made history. He changed baseball forever. 

During his first season, Robinson faced many challenges. Many people in the crowd shouted angry words at Robinson. They threw trash and food at him. No other player faced these challenges. 

Some players on other teams were even worse. They stomped on Robinson’s foot as they ran past first base. Pitchers threw the ball straight at Robinson’s head.

But Robinson stood strong. He was determined to show the world his skill. He never yelled back. He kept playing. And the Dodgers kept winning.

By the end of the season, the Dodgers were one of the top two teams in Major League Baseball. They played in the championship: the World Series.

The Dodgers lost, but it was still a year of huge achievements for the team . . . and for Robinson. He hit 12 home runs and dazzled crowds with how fast he ran around the bases. Newspapers across the country voted him the best new player in baseball.

Robinson played for the Dodgers for nine more years. In 1949, he was named one of the most valuable players in Major League Baseball. He continued to hit dozens of home runs and helped the Dodgers reach five more World Series. And in 1955 . . . the Dodgers finally won!

The Dodgers were one of the top two teams in Major League Baseball at the end of the season. They played in the championship: the World Series.

The Dodgers lost. But it was still a year of huge achievements for the team . . . and for Robinson. He hit 12 home runs. He amazed crowds with how fast he ran around the bases. Newspapers across the country voted him the best new player in baseball.

Robinson played for the Dodgers for nine more years. In 1949, he was named one of the most valuable players in Major League Baseball. He hit many more home runs. He helped the Dodgers reach five more World Series. And in 1955 . . . the Dodgers finally won!