@font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-regular-italic.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-regular-italic.woff') format('woff');font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ .hHLkAw input:focus{outline:none;}/*!sc*/ His hair is jet black, his eyes golden-green . He was survived by his wife, Delano, who, prior to her own death in August 2021, continued Macks civic duties in Pasadena. The youngest of five children, Robinson was raised in relative poverty by a single mother. He also had to deal with racial inequity within his own team. He emerged as one of the greatest players in the history of American baseball, who survived racial discrimination to achieve greatness. He had the sheer confidence and the fortitude to say, I just want to win.\n\nSo, yes, it bugged Mack to have finished second to Owens. Rachel said that she and Jackie went to great lengths to create a nurturing home that sheltered their kids from racism. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top .icon,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top .p-icon *{fill:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ [Mack] had genuine love for his brother. He attended .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}John Muir High School in Pasadena, California, and Pasadena Junior College, where he was an excellent athlete and played four sports: football, basketball, track and baseball. Jack Roosevelt Robinson, Sr. (1919 - 1972) - Genealogy .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--parent[aria-expanded='true'] .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner a,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--parent[aria-expanded='true'] .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner span{color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ After completing his studies in John Muir, he attended Pasadena Junior College from where he graduated in 1939. body.article{font-family:"proxima-nova","open Sans","Helvetica","Arial",sans-serif;background-color:#ffffff;line-height:1.5;}/*!sc*/ Though confined to a wheelchair, Brittni has been able to keep Macks spirit intact by carrying on the support of the Special Olympics. The only time I was noticed was when somebody asked me during an assembly at school if Id race against a horse.. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item{border-color:rgba(255,255,255,0.15);background-color:#041E42;}/*!sc*/ While serving the U.S. army, this baseball player, who was the first African-American to play in the Major Leagues, faced court-martial for refusing to sit at the back of a bus. He was 53 years old. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button.account--logged-in{height:56px;position:relative;overflow:hidden;}/*!sc*/ He was a sit-inner before the sit-ins, a freedom rider before the freedom rides. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-container__primary{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;width:100%;padding:0px;}/*!sc*/ .ggWmAj .sticky-header__header{grid-column:1 / span 8;}/*!sc*/ If I had to choose tomorrow between the Baseball Hall of Fame and full citizenship for my people I would choose full citizenship time and again. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight:hover .header__nav-top__nav-item__text{color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ sub{bottom:-0.25em;}/*!sc*/ I certainly would have asked friends in Pasadena to send me a pair of spikes or send me enough money to be able to buy a pair of shoes.. And I think my uncle was motivated by my father. .cWQXyp{display:inline-block;width:100%;position:relative;}/*!sc*/ .epHHrr iframe{max-width:100%;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__tagline img{max-width:100%;}/*!sc*/ There's not an American in this country free until every one of us is free. Mack took up modest work as a street sweeper in Pasadena, wearing his Olympic sweatshirt with USA on the front while he performed that humble task. ), I have no qualms about finishing second, Robinson said in that 1985 interview. data-styled.g29[id="linkstyle__AnchorElement-sc-1rt6me7-0"]{content:"kKeedG,"}/*!sc*/ Rickey also personally tested Robinson's reactions to the racial slurs and insults he knew the player would endure. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item__link{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;font-weight:700;-webkit-box-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center;padding:10px 12px;}/*!sc*/ siblings: Edgar Robinson, Frank Robinson, Mack Robinson, Willa Mae, children: David Robinson, Jackie Robinson Jr., Sharon Robinson, African American Men [hidden]{display:none;}/*!sc*/ By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com @ castrovince. .hHLkAw input:-ms-input-placeholder{color:#aaaaaa;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g149[id="Styles__FigureCaption-iefwtj-1"]{content:"hpFxqr,"}/*!sc*/ Born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia, USA, to Jerry and Mallie Robinson, Jackie was the youngest of the five children in the family. In Pasadena, I never knew.. Photos courtesy Kathy Robinson Young and Coffee Bluff Pictures. Jackie Robinson in MyHeritage family trees (Robinson Web Site) view all Immediate Family Rachel Annetta Robinson wife Jack Roosevelt Robinson, Jr. son Private child Private child Mallie Robinson mother Jerry Robinson father Edgar Robinson brother Frank Robinson brother Mack Robinson brother Willa Mae Walker sister About Jackie Robinson Pasadena was wealthy and conservative and not welcoming to its new residents. Jackie would leave Pasadena holding a grudge and never look back, forever determined not to let anybody tell him what he couldnt do. @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold.woff2') format('woff2'), url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold.woff') format('woff');font-weight:700;font-style:normal;}/*!sc*/ Sharon Robinson Siblings. .ezZJVn:hover{cursor:pointer;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-container{-webkit-order:99;-ms-flex-order:99;order:99;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex:99 1 100%;-ms-flex:99 1 100%;flex:99 1 100%;width:100%;}/*!sc*/ Robinson returned to Pasadena Junior College for a year, then transferred to the University of Oregon. But what of that other brother whose countenance is cast in brilliant bronze? Jack "Jackie" Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia on January 31, 1919, as the youngest of five children to two sharecroppers (via History).According to the New Georgia Encyclopedia, his parents had a toxic marriage that ended when his father deserted the family for another woman when Robinson was still only a baby.This left his mother, Mallie, to raise the five children on her own. .ebrWqN:-moz-loading{color:#f3f3f3;}/*!sc*/ Throughout his decade-long career, Robinson distinguished himself as one of the game's most talented and exciting players, recording an impressive .311 career batting average. Mack estimated the cost of having a statue of Jackie placed near UCLAs baseball stadium to be about $100,000. .mHQYb .p-search-item__container{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:50px;border-top:0;min-width:250px;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}/*!sc*/ He raised money for Olympic athletes. .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__subnav{display:none;pointer-events:none;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top{background-color:#041E42;}/*!sc*/ And they did let him run. In one incident, while fans harassed Robinson from the stands, Reese walked over and put his arm around his teammate, a gesture that has become legendary in baseball history. Before becoming a professional baseball player, Jackie Robinson played football for the Honolulu Bears. @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-medium.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-medium.woff') format('woff');font-weight:500;font-style:normal;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ He advocated against street crime and for the creation of playgrounds and pools. That year, I set a school and league record in the long jump. And so he did! Their names are David and Jackie Robinson Jr. David is the youngest of the three and he was born in 1952. .evwvnJ{line-height:1.5;margin:0 auto 16px;max-width:470px;padding-left:0;position:relative;width:-webkit-fit-content;width:-moz-fit-content;width:fit-content;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__sponsor-logo,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__url-logo{padding-left:20px;-webkit-box-pack:end;-webkit-justify-content:flex-end;-ms-flex-pack:end;justify-content:flex-end;}/*!sc*/ .hHLkAw input.right{padding-right:32px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button.account--logged-in.active::after{opacity:1;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search-item__image-thumbnail--rounded{background-color:#f7f7f7;margin-top:0;margin-left:0.25rem;height:40px;border:1px solid #e2e2e2;border-radius:50%;}/*!sc*/ @media only screen and (min-width:568px){.hYmwpY{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;}}/*!sc*/ But its a beautiful life-size statue of Jack.. .hspSPq:hover svg{fill:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ .blUWSx{height:30px;position:relative;width:30px;}/*!sc*/ Jackie Robinson | Quotes, Facts & Biography | Study.com body.article .ad-top-container{background-color:#f3f3f3;padding:8px 0;min-height:66px;}/*!sc*/ Jackie Robinson's Siblings Jackie Robinson was the youngest of five children. .mHQYb header.mlb-header{width:100%;font-family:'proxima-nova','mlb-primary','Helvetica Neue', 'Helvetica','Arial',sans-serif;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-size:14px;font-weight:500;line-height:15px;color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ Robinson later moved to Florida to begin spring training with the Royals. .hHLkAw input::-webkit-input-placeholder{color:#aaaaaa;}/*!sc*/ article > section{font-size:1.2rem;font-family:Georgia,serif;}/*!sc*/ Mack Robinson - IMDb .mHQYb .p-search__input--icon.close-icon:hover{cursor:pointer;}/*!sc*/ There, Jackies head purposefully faces east, out toward Brooklyn and the baseball world he uprooted after bidding his hometown goodbye for good. .groqnz.markdown.youtube,.groqnz.photo figcaption.youtube,.groqnz.oembed .social-embed.youtube{padding:0;}/*!sc*/ He arrived to the finals at Randalls Island with only the beat-up track spikes he had worn while competing at Pasadena Junior College. sup{top:-0.5em;}/*!sc*/ [type="checkbox"],[type="radio"]{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}/*!sc*/ In December 1956, Robinson was traded to the New York Giants, but he never played a game for the team. My dad had a thing about always racing, his son Wayne says. data-styled.g167[id="Styles__StoryPartContainer-sc-1mfrmm0-0"]{content:"groqnz,"}/*!sc*/ Robinson became the first Black athlete to play Major League Baseball in the 20th century when he took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. hr{box-sizing:content-box;height:0;overflow:visible;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-side__nav-item[aria-expanded='true'] .header__nav-side__nav-item__subnav-arrow{opacity:0;}/*!sc*/ Some of his new teammates objected to having an African American on their team. He was . @media (max-width:350px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item__link .icon__nav-item{display:none;}}/*!sc*/ Robinson continued his education at UCLA where he became the university's first student to win varsity letters in four sports. Each weighs approximately 2,700 pounds. .drUhS{pointer-events:none;width:100%;height:100%;display:inline-block;overflow:visible;fill:#000000;stroke:#000000;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon span:nth-child(1),.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon span:nth-child(4){opacity:0;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .icon-globe{margin-left:32px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item__subnav-arrow{color:#ffffff;margin-left:auto;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;font-size:10px;opacity:0.5;}/*!sc*/ Wed play chasing the fox, and Id have to break out of the ring and the whole class would start running after me, Mack recalled in 1985. data-styled.g163[id="Styles__OEmbedContainer-oapuup-0"]{content:"epHHrr,"}/*!sc*/ Brittni was given the title of VIP Ambassador. I had the greatest respect for Mack, Jackie wrote in his autobiography, I Never Had It Made.. In 1947, at age 28, Robinson became the first Black American to play in the majors. @media (min-width:1024px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__subnav{opacity:0;display:none;left:-9999px;position:absolute;margin:0px;-webkit-transition:opacity 100ms ease 100ms;transition:opacity 100ms ease 100ms;pointer-events:initial;border-top:solid 4px #002867;border-radius:0 0 6px 6px;box-shadow:0px 0px 14px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.25);}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__subnav__content{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-box-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-pack:start;justify-content:flex-start;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__subnav__item,.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__subnav__group-title{padding:11px 8px;white-space:nowrap;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__subnav__item:not(.header__subnav--teams__team),.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__subnav__group-title{display:block;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__subnav__group{-webkit-flex:1 1 auto;-ms-flex:1 1 auto;flex:1 1 auto;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__subnav__group-title{background-color:#ffffff;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__nav-top__nav-item{position:relative;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__nav-top__nav-item:hover .header__nav-top__nav-item__text,.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__nav-top__nav-item[aria-expanded='true'] .header__nav-top__nav-item__text{opacity:1;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__nav-top__nav-item--parent[aria-expanded='true']{border-bottom:none;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__nav-top__nav-item--parent[aria-expanded='true']::after{opacity:1;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__nav-top__nav-item--parent[aria-expanded='true'] .header__subnav{display:block;opacity:1;top:52px;left:0px;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__nav-top__nav-item--parent[aria-expanded='true'] .header__subnav--pin-to-right{right:0;left:auto;}}/*!sc*/ Jackie Robinson Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family Life & Achievements We'll give you a hint: Their last name is Robinson. But as miffed as Mack might have been about that result and the inferior shoes he believed to have caused it, he still had the proper perspective on what he had achieved.\n\nIts not too bad to be second-best in the world at what youre doing, no matter what it is, he once said. There, he shone in four sports: . button::-moz-focus-inner,[type="button"]::-moz-focus-inner,[type="reset"]::-moz-focus-inner,[type="submit"]::-moz-focus-inner{border-style:none;padding:0;}/*!sc*/ He joined the all-white Montreal Royals, a farm team for the Brooklyn Dodgers, in 1946. button,select{text-transform:none;}/*!sc*/ .kKeedG:hover{border-bottom:none;color:#0048AB;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__logo--mlb a{text-align:center;}/*!sc*/ None of the 14 Black athletes adorned with an Olympic medal -- a group that prompted an enraged Hitler to proclaim, The Americans should have been ashamed of themselves for allowing their medals to be won by Negroes -- were invited to the White House. .hUHmCp > article{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(12,minmax(0,1fr));grid-gap:24px;color:#000000;}/*!sc*/ .evGxub{display:inline-block;width:48px;height:48px;border-radius:50%;-webkit-border-radius:50%;overflow:hidden;position:relative;}/*!sc*/ In April 1997, his jersey number 42 was retired in his honor. I asked him what he thought about having a statue built of him, Mack recalled years later. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight{background-color:#333333;}/*!sc*/ He couldn't stand anybody being in front of him.. I felt as though they had actually broken my heart.. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__group-title{color:#aaaaaa;font-weight:700;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;text-transform:uppercase;}/*!sc*/ In 2002, he was included in the list of 100 Greatest African-Americans. In 2004, Jackie Robinson Award was created in the Aflac National High School in his honor. In the finals -- in a precursor to what would transpire in Berlin -- Mack was bested by Owens in the 200-meter by a foot. father: Jerry Robinson mother: Mallie Robinson siblings: Edgar Robinson, Frank Robinson, Mack Robinson, Willa Mae children: David Robinson, Jackie Robinson Jr., Sharon Robinson Born Country: United States African American Men African American Baseball Players Died on: October 24, 1972 .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__content,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav--teams{padding:8px;}/*!sc*/ @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-extrabold-italic.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-extrabold-italic.woff') format('woff');font-style:italic;font-weight:800;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner{opacity:1;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g115[id="sc-global-cDsONp1"]{content:"sc-global-cDsONp1,"}/*!sc*/ This -- more than the Olympic silver and more than being Jackie Robinsons brother -- became Mack Robinsons legacy within his hometown. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. small{font-size:80%;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__sponsor-url-logos{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:end;-webkit-justify-content:flex-end;-ms-flex-pack:end;justify-content:flex-end;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;}/*!sc*/ Jackie Robinson became the first Black player in the major leagues in 1947, signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Jackie Robinson is an American hero, a man who broke baseball's color barrier with grace and dignity in the face of horrible racism and adversity. button,input,optgroup,select,textarea{font-family:inherit;font-size:100%;line-height:1.15;margin:0;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb input[type='search']::-ms-clear{display:none;width:0;height:0;}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:1024px){.groqnz.markdown,.groqnz.photo figcaption,.groqnz.oembed .social-embed{padding:0;}}/*!sc*/ And then Id learn how to swivel-hip and sidestep and dart in-between.. That was in 1934, and that record wasnt broken until 1966., Even though doctors warned him that his participation in sports could be fatal because he had a heart ailment, Jackie wrote in his autobiography, he wouldnt give up. He was not just a great runner but a civic leader and an important mentor to Jackie. So she signed em, and I ran, Mack said. .drUhS rect{fill:#000000;stroke:#000000;}/*!sc*/ Rather than let mistreatment harden his heart and estrange him from where he grew up, he spent the rest of his life trying to better Pasadena while working a variety of common jobs, including as an usher at Dodger Stadium. @media screen and (-ms-high-contrast:active),(-ms-high-contrast:none){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__url-logo{height:30px;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__url-logo img{min-height:30px;height:auto !important;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__tagline img{width:100%;}}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-side{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;}/*!sc*/