Ben Campbell

September 29, 2015

Fly-on-the-Wall Speech

Jackie Robinson Breaking the Color Barrier

General Purpose: To inform

Specific Purpose: To inform the class about oppression, success, and change through Jackie
Robinson

Thesis: I would have liked to witness the first game of Jackie Robinsons career when he broke
the color barrier suiting up for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15 1947. Today I will 1) tell you
about the oppression and obstacles he had to endure, 2) Talk about his success in spite of those
obstacles, and 3) Talk about how he inspired change in the game of baseball and society.

Introduction: Brooklyn president Branch Rickey wasnt necessarily looking for the best negro
leaguer but the one who could best handle the intense pressure and intolerance he knew was sure
to follow. Robinson fit the bill.

Transition: Branch once told Jackie you will need an armor of humility to survive his initial
test of Major League Baseball.

Body
I. Oppression Endured
a) When Ricky announced his plans to bring up Robinson 15 of the owners
voted against the move.
b) Teammates let it be known that they didnt want Jackie in the Clubhouse or on
the roster-even sighing a petition protesting his place on the team
c) Once well playing In Philadelphia Phillies manager Ben Chapmen informed
his players that anyone who didnt go after Jackie would be fined 5,000.
d) Often times The Dodger organization was turned away from staying in team
hotels because Jackie was on their team.
e) Once even Kicked off the field during Dodger Spring Training in Deland
Florida

Transition: Even though he endured intense racism he would channel negative comments into
positive energy being immensely successful on the field.

II Success
A) 1947 rookie of the year leading his team to an NL Pennant
B) Rookie season led NL with 29 steals, 2nd with 125 runs scored,
and co led dodgers with 12 home runs. Finished 5th in MVP
voting
C) Made 6 all star teams and led dodgers to 6 World series
appearances
D) 1949 NL MVP
 E) 1955 world series champion
F) 1962 National Baseball Hall of Fame first year of eligibility
G) His number 42 is retired League wide. He is the only player in
history to be bestowed with this honor.

Transition: Robinsons success in baseball as the first black ball player allowed
him to weigh in on racial issues and promote change.

III Change
A) within first 5 years of career another 150 black ball players
had been signed to minor and major league ball clubs.
B) In 1957 Joined the National Association for the advancement
of colored people (NAACP) became chairmen of the freedom
fund drive that would later raise more then 1 million
C) Corresponded with many people on race issues: Presidents
Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon
D) With his help the Freedom National Bank was created to help
black business owners and other minority groups to receive
loans they typically wouldnt receive from white run banks.
E) In 1984 Pres. Reagan presented him with Medal of Freedom,
Nations highest civilian award
F) Quoted to say certainly if such revolutionary change can be
brought about in baseball it can also be brought about in
education, in transportation, and any other area of American
life.

Transition: Robinsons success and non-violent demeanor during his career

and in his civil rights advocacy showed people that integration was possible
not only in baseball but in society.

In conclusion I wish I would have witnessed Jackie Robinson break the color
barrier because
-He still succeeded in baseball and in life despite the hate he had to
face
- It marked changed in American society

Works Cited

Rubinstein, William D. "Jackie Robinson and the integration of Major League

baseball." History Today 53.9 (2003): 20+. Biography in Context. Web. 29
Sept. 2015.

Goldstein,Richard."JackieRobinson:BrooklynDodgersLegendandCivilRightsPioneer."The
NewYorkTimes.TheNewYorkTimes,12Apr.2007.Web.29Sept.2015.
 Copy&pastecitation
"1947TheArrivalofJackieRobinson."BaseballHistoryin1947:TheArrivalofJackie
Robinson.N.p.,n.d.Web.29Sept.2015.
"BreakingBarriers:JackieRobinson."(Bio/Biography).N.p.,n.d.Web.29Sept.
2015.

http://www.solipsis.com/jackierobinson/civil_rights.html