Brooklyn's Ebbets Field to play his first game
             in the major leagues, many Americans were
             shocked. The grandson of a slave, Jackie
             was the first African American to play for a
             major league baseball team in the Twentieth
             Last year, Jackie Robinson again captured
             the imagination and hearts of millions of Americans as the nation celebrated the 50th
             anniversary of his historic first game in the majors. President Clinton honored Jackie
             during a game in New York, and Major League Baseball retired his number, 42.
             Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia., on January 31, 1919 to Jerry and
             Mallie Robinson. He grew up in Pasadena, California. In high school and at Pasadena
             Junior College he showed great athletic skill in track, basketball, football, and baseball.
             He left school in 1941 and was drafted the following year for Army service during World
             War II. After receiving a medical discharge in 1945, Jackie Robinson decided to tryout for
             the Boston Red Sox, but ended up not making the team. He spent a year playing baseball
             with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro National League. Later he played in the 1946
             season with the Montreal Royals, a Dodgers farm club, and led the International League in
             hitting with a .349 average. He stole 40 bases and scored 113 runs.
             When the Dodgers opened their 1947 season, Robinson was playing second base. On
             April 10, 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first black player to sign a major league
             contract in the 20th century. During his first game, Jackie went hitless in three at-bats, but
             flawlessly handled 11 chances at first base. In 1947, Jackie hit .297 and stole 29 bases
             while also playing first base for the Dodgers. Jackie led the National League in stolen
             bases and was named rookie of the year. The main problem he had to overcome was
             controlling his short temper after hearing so many racial remarks from the crowds and
             other ball playe...