Jackie Robinson helped paved the way for Civil Rights Movements …show more content…
When Jackie made his debut to the major leagues, it was nothing short of outstanding and spectacular. “On April 15, 1947, 28-year-old Jackie Robinson made his Major League Baseball debut with the Dodgers, against the Boston Braves, in front of more than 25,000 spectators at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York. Robinson played first base and went zero for three at the plate” ( “Jackie Robinson breaks major league color barrier” ). With him playing in his first major league baseball game, Jackie Robinson officially broke the color barrier on April 15, 1947. This date is very important in history as this would impact the rest of America forever. However, with this achievement came with repercussions which he eventually overcame. Reaction to Robinson from baseball fans and players ranged from enthusiasm and joy to hostility and death threats. However, his talent on the field could not be denied, and he won respect as well as the first Rookie of the Year award in 1947. In 1949, he won the National League's Most Valuable Player award, leading the league with a .342 batting average and 37 stolen bases. Off the field, he was the subject of everything from songs to a feature-length film about his life. Robinson even starred as himself in the movie, "The Jackie Robinson Story." Released in 1950, it was one of the first films to portray a black man as an American hero.