30 Jackie Robinson Quotes On Racism, Baseball & More
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Jack Roosevelt Robinson, popularly known as Jackie Roosevelt, was born in Georgia in 1919. He broke all the odds and became the first African American to play baseball in Major League Baseball. Since his childhood, he has had a keen interest in sports.
He had to face struggles in his early days, as his family was not financially stable. Born & brought up in a single-parent family, he could not complete his college. But his distinguishing talent in baseball was hard to ignore. He caught the attention of the General Manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers. This was the start of Jackie’s spectacular career in baseball.
He achieved many great feats in his career- Rookie of the year in 1947, National League MVP in 1949, and a World Series champ in 1955, to name a few. In 1962, he became the first player of color to enter the Hall of Fame. Robinson has played a major role in the fight against discrimination. He died in 1972, but his memories are eternal. He made way for other black people, breaking the ‘color barrier’.
Coming from a decent background, he achieved great heights in life. Let us remember him through these Jackie Robinson quotes.
Jackie Robinson Quotes On Racism
Jackie Robinson was not only a professional baseball player, but he was also a civil rights activist. He paved the path for fellow African Americans, ending the era of racial discrimination in baseball. Here are some Jackie Robinson quotes on racism.
“I think if we go back and check our record, the Negro has proven beyond a doubt that we have been more than patient in seeking our rights as American citizens.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
“Plenty of times I wanted to haul off when somebody insulted me for the color of my skin, but I had to hold to myself. I knew I was kind of an experiment. The whole thing was bigger than me.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
“I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me. All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
“I’m grateful for all the breaks and honors and opportunities I’ve had, but I always believe I won’t have it made until the humblest black kid in the most remote backwoods of America has it made.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
“I know that I am a black man in a white world, I know that I never had it made.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
SOURCE: I NEVER HAD IT MADE
“I cannot possibly believe that I have it made while so many black brothers and sisters are hungry, inadequately housed, insufficiently clothed, denied their dignity as they live in slums or barely exist on welfare.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
“Blacks have had to learn to protect themselves by being cynical but not cynical enough to slam the door on potential opportunities. We go through life walking a tightrope to prevent too much disillusionment.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
“But if Mr. Rickey hadn’t signed me, I wouldn’t have played another year in the black league. It was too difficult. The travel was brutal. Financially, there was no reward. It took everything you make to live off.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
“I want everybody to understand that I am an American Negro first before I am a member of any political party.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
Jackie Robinson Quotes About Determination
Jackie had to face challenges in his career as well. There were times when fans would insult him because of his color. His teammates would also behave differently. Despite all this, his determination kept him going. Let us browse some Jackie Robinson quotes about being determined.
“Above anything else, I hate to lose.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
“I have always been grateful to Colonel Longley. He proved to me that when people in authority take a stand, good can come out of it.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
“How you played in yesterday’s game is all that counts.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
“I know now that dreams do come true.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
“It kills me to lose. If I’m a troublemaker, and I don’t think that my temper makes me one, then it’s because I can’t stand losing.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
“I’m not going anywhere, I’m right here!”
JACKIE ROBINSON
Jackie Robinson Quotes About Life
To rise against the odds in life requires great effort. His early days have been harsh. He faced discrimination in his personal & professional life, as well. Here are some Jackie Robinson quotes about life.
“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
SOURCE: I NEVER HAD IT MADE
“During my life, I have had a few nightmares which happened to me while I was wide awake.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
SOURCE: I NEVER HAD IT MADE
“If you’re going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you’re wasting your life.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
“I guess if I could choose one of the most important moments in my life, I would go back to 1947, in the Yankee Stadium in New York City.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
Jackie Robinson Quotes On Baseball
Talking about Jackie Robinson, and not including baseball, would be unfair. His talent was unmatched and unquestioned. Read on these Jackie Robinson quotes on baseball.
“The way I figured it, I was even with baseball and baseball with me.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
“Baseball is like a poker game. Nobody wants to quit when he’s losing; nobody wants you to quit when you’re ahead.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
“Yell. Heckle. Do anything you want. We came here to play baseball.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
“When I look back at what I had to go through in black baseball, I can only marvel at the many black players who stuck it out for years in the Jim Crow leagues because they had nowhere else to go.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
“It would make everything I worked for meaningless if baseball is integrated but political parties were segregated.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
“If I had been white with the things I did, they never would have allowed me to get out of baseball.”
JACKIE ROBINSON
Jackie Robinson indeed lived a life full of struggles. Yet, he accomplished his dreams. Not only this, he worked for the greater cause also. He raised his voice against racial discrimination prevailing at lengths during the 20th century. Robinson was also honoured with the Congressional Gold Medal and Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.
His actions had a deeper impact on the minds of people. Once Martin Luther King Jr. also praised him, stating, “Jackie Robinson made my success possible. Without him, I would never have been able to do what I did.” We hope you have got some inspiration from these Jackie Robinson quotes. Share them with your loved ones.
You can also check out these 40 Albert Schweitzer Quotes On Gratitude, Life & More!
