Did Jackie Robinson have it that bad in MLB

[djefferis]

So reading all the press yesterday for Jackie Robinson Day.

My question is simple - did he Jackie experience anything worse than most blacks did during the era ? Sure - there were those who did not “welcome” him with open arms to MLB - and there were hotels that refused to accept black players - but was it really different for him than any other black person of the era who faced similar issues in society.

After all - they are raving about his “courage” facing down adversity and standing up for human rights. Seems to me he was simply doing the only thing he could - going out and playing a game for which he both loved and was getting paid. If he didn’t - there were several who would have been the “first” - attitudes changed following WW2 - and owners realized there was a pipeline of cheap talent available to them and that fans were ready to accept black players.

Further - while there were players who didn’t want the sport to allow blacks - there were plenty who did and acted as allies to Robinson. Yet they make it sound as if he was cast off by every team mate now and coldly ignored - which was far from the case. Even Ty Cobb himself spoke in favor of ending discrimination in the sport. And again - it’s not as if Robinson was the only black player in the league for any considerable length of time - there were olenty in the minors awaiting the historic call up and then their subsequent promotion a few months later.

Great player and he certainly dealt with his share of stupidity - but he also had more supporters than the average citizen too. Yet now all we hear about is how bad he had it and how oppressed he was - kind of ignores any support he did receive.

 

[flyingillini]

He was a hero to many people during his time playing. Kids loved him and adults loved watching him. He had it pretty good back in his day. Satchell Paige is the one who had it rough.

 

[djefferis]

Satch was cheated out of his opportunity - but so were so many others. Still - he made bank the only way he knew how - playing a character. Kinda like the Harlem Globetrotters- he played a non threatening character and was loved by fans. Guarantee though in his prime he was as good as any pitcher in the last 100 years.

Reality is blacks were barred from professional baseball for around 20 years - it started during the depression and continued until just after WW 2.
My grandfather actually played on an intergrated team in late 1920s. Wasn’t a thing - not until depression era realities set in and the idea of a baseball player making more than a working man set in - suddenly you had 2 seperate leagues. Of course at the time you had a lot more professional teams than there are today.

And you had guys breaking in on teams in cities like St Louis and Cleveland - where blacks flocked as factory work boomed and black fans were an important part of attendance. They make it sound like every game was played in the Deep South where segregation was a very real thing into the 60s.

 

[theriver55]

Guess you have to walk a mile in Jackie's boots Jeff? To understand what he deal with back in the day. Is what it is?

 

[djefferis]

Like I said - I have no doubt he dealt with ALOT of ignorance and hatred.

Question is though - what did he do that was superior to EVERYONE ELSE who dealt with the same ? Segregation was still very much a thing - it wasn’t just him be being barred from hotels or restaurants…he wasn’t the only black baseball player that year either.

It wasn’t like he was leading the revolution single handedly here - he was brought up 90 days before Larry Doby - not as if the hatred stopped by the time Doby (or any other black player) courtesy of Robinson.

At the same time - why does no one mention Eddie Klep ? He was the first white player to enter Negro leagues the same year. But you have never heard his name prior to today likely. No one mentions the first Hispanic baseball player - why - because it was a non issue. Minnie Minoso likely took a lot of flack too in his day - and set the stage for so many…but never gets mentioned. Clemente wasn’t the first - but is a hero to many.

I’m not saying the guy wasn’t a great player - nor am I saying he doesn’t deserve credit for what he accomplished under the circumstances. Simply stating he was far from the only guy dealing with the circumstances.

 

[DiggityDaggityDo]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1367106370265370624

 

[Headsterx]

Oh my, this is a hollow argument. You can apply this argument to the vast majority of historical figures. Was Mandela the only black imprisoned for opposing apartheid? Was Gandhi the only Indian opposing the Britain Empirical rule? Etc., etc, etc. And on a ridiculous comparison, was Columbus the only one to “discover” America? And on, and on but these historical figures are celebrated.

And now on to the quite unfortunate argument regarding a white player playing in the Negro League. Who gives a damn! Were negroes oppressing whites economically? If you are the best baseball player, would you encounter any problems playing in the majors when you’re white? Now the same but you’re negro, any problem?

Lastly, and quite sad, do I really have to point the differences between what happened in the US history of why a black person playing in the majors is more historic than another oppressed race in America? As the United Negro College Fund sums it up: A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

 

[Archie]

so he heard a boo or two.

big whoop

 

[maltedhopsfrenzy]

so he heard a boo or two.

big whoop

Probably not even half as bad as what Dak Prescott hears when the Cowboys play the Eagles in Philly…..

 

[djefferis]

Probably not even half as bad as what Dak Prescott hears when the Cowboys play the Eagles in Philly…..

Sadly - very possibly true.

I think it’s more about how he was PERSONALLY treated off the field - but again my point - he wasn’t singled out - it could have been ANYONE who looked like him who would have gotten that treatment. Dak - personally - would be the only one singed out in Philly off the field for that treatment - and then it would be a specific group of haters - not the population as a whole in any city.

 

[djefferis]

Oh my, this is a hollow argument. You can apply this argument to the vast majority of historical figures. Was Mandela the only black imprisoned for opposing apartheid? Was Gandhi the only Indian opposing the Britain Empirical rule? Etc., etc, etc. And on a ridiculous comparison, was Columbus the only one to “discover” America? And on, and on but these historical figures are celebrated.

And now on to the quite unfortunate argument regarding a white player playing in the Negro League. Who gives a damn! Were negroes oppressing whites economically? If you are the best baseball player, would you encounter any problems playing in the majors when you’re white? Now the same but you’re negro, any problem?

Lastly, and quite sad, do I really have to point the differences between what happened in the US history of why a black person playing in the majors is more historic than another oppressed race in America? As the United Negro College Fund sums it up: A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

Yet - colleges today single out Columbus as the “evil man who destroyed the native Americans way of life” and its Columbus Day the lefties protest.

Did blacks discriminate and economically oppress whites - yes, in fact they did. Not as well publicized- but there were several successful black owned business who catered solely to blacks. They sought to exclude whites from participation - even honest whites who sought participation in the enterprise without control. Again - history doesn’t teach that these days as it’s not as grabbing of a headline as the dominant majority oppressing the minority.

Finally - why does the largest minority warrant extra attention over any other oppressed minority ? Thought it was a black man who said “an injustice to one is an injustice to all” ? Oppression is wrong. Aren’t females a majority over males - yet we continually here how female sports are “oppressed” and not treated equally to their male counterparts. Again - the fact there are MORE people in an oppressed class only supports there is less reason for them to argue that they are wrongfully discriminated against - as they have the greater ability to speak out and demand fairness. Yet we continue to push the same narrative of one class isn’t being treated fairly - while a majority of the class opt not to play the sport in favor of other sports.

 

[Archie]

also enough with Easter and Jesus in the cross shit.

many others had to hang and die from crosses.

big whoop. let's not forget the real persecution
happening in front of our eyes

poor 7 foot 8 inch Barin, will not have his loving father Donald present for his cap and gown times!

 

[Archie]

I think we all agree. J rob most overrated for crossing color barriers.

most under rated for great multi sport athlete

 

[maltedhopsfrenzy]

I think we all agree. J rob most overrated for crossing color barriers.

most under rated for great multi sport athlete

“J Rob”?!?!

 

[Archie]

baseball probably JRobs 4th best sport

 

[quantumleap]

so he heard a boo or two.

big whoop

What? You're kidding, right? He received death threats. He also received racial epithets from players on opposing teams.

 

[Archie]

now Roger maris...

there is a guy they put through the WRINGER!

 

[DiggityDaggityDo]

now Roger maris...

there is a guy they put through the WRINGER!

John Rocker too.

 

[redrightred]

Jackie Robinson was the first black player in major league history. Not the worst treated player in major league history. The poster has no clue.

 

[maltedhopsfrenzy]

baseball probably JRobs 4th best sport