Page 54 - Cityview Jan-Feb 2017

Do the Right ThingBY GARY WADEThree years ago, Warner Bros. released “42,” titled for the number Jackie Robinson wore as a Brooklyn Dodger. The movie featured Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey, the President of the National League Brooklyn Dodgers, and Chadwick Boseman in the title role.BORN IN CAIRO, GEORGIA,Jackie was the fifth child ofsharecroppers Jerry and Mallie McGriff Robinson. In 1920, the family moved to Pasadena, California,where Jackie excelled not only as a student but in every sport offered by John Muir High School. After two successful years at Pasadena Junior College, he enrolled in 1939 at UCLA, joining the “most integrated [football] team” in the United States, and becoming the school’s first athleteto letter in four sports—excelling in football, basketball, and track—and also playing baseball. Jackie left UCLA just short of graduation, tooka job as a youth director, and played semi-pro football until drafted during World War II. In 1943,he became one of thefew of his raceto receive acommission—as Second Lieutenant. Discharged a year later, Jackie asked for a tryout with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League, made the team, and signed a contract paying $400 per month. His first season was a success—he played shortstop, hit .387, and made the All- Star team.Meanwhile, Rickey quietlydecided to scout the Negro leagues for prospects —with the hope of improving his Dodgers. Whenhe interviewed Robinson, the conversation naturally focused on the racial animus he would likely face as a major leaguer. Robinson reportedly asked, “Are you looking for a Negro who is afraid to fight back?” Rickey’s response is a classic in sports lore:“I need someone with the guts not tofight back.” By then, Jackie was 27 years old—ancient,by baseball standards, to begin a career inbaseball.The moviedramatizes themoment whenRickeyinformed his front office employees that he intended to sign “a Negro”to play for his Dodgers. All objected, arguing that no “Negro” should play in the major leagues and pointing out that the other owners would never allow it. In the scene, his outraged staff demanded to know why he would even think about permitting“a Negro” to play for the Dodgers. In an effort to both lighten the moment and make the point, Rickey explained, “I’m a Methodist, you know. And, of course, God’s a Methodist . . . . So when I meet my Maker and he asks why I wouldn’t allow ‘a Negro’ to play baseball, I’m not sure I could provide a satisfactory answer . . . .”In fact, a man of color had not played in the major leagues since 1902, well before baseball had become the national pastime. So, despitethe bitter protests from his own front office, Rickey signed Jackie Robinson and, in 1946, sent him to play for its top minor league team—in racially tolerant Montreal, Canada. Jackie led the entire league in hitting. So, on April 15, 1947, after being promotedto the Dodgers, he became the first African American player in the modern era of baseball. Three years later, when Rickey left the Dodgersto become the GM for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Robinson wrote him a letter ofCONTINUED ON PAGE 159LEGaLJURISPRUDENCE52 JANUARY FEBRUARY 2017