"Robinson, I'm looking for a ball player with guts enough not to fight back." ~Branch Rickey
After the birth of his son Jackie Jr., Robinson signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He traveled to Cuba in 1947 for the Dodgers Spring training and it was at this time that some of the players signed a petition started by Dixie Walker, stating they wouldn't play with an African American ballplayer. The petition died down after the players were warned by Leo Durocher. Walker instead asked to be traded and the Dodgers obliged.
Robinson's next battle was his opponents. The Chicago Cubs privately boycotted playing the Dodgers by knocking him down every time he was up at the plate. Rumors flew that the St. Louis Cardinals were refusing to play the Brooklyn Dodgers. Ford Frick, the National League president announced any players refusal to play against Robinson would result in a lifetime ban of Major League Baseball.
Robinson experienced the worst discrimination against the Phillies and their manager, Ben Chapman, who had a nonstop tirade of racial slurs and aimed their bats at him like rifles.
In Cincinnati it all exploded, with the torment increasing to death threats, Robinson's teammate Pee Wee Reese, stood up for his new teammate to tell the Reds that with Robinson they would go all the way.
Robinson slumped at the beginning of the season underneath the intense spotlight but he eventually warmed up mid season.
http://www.thisgreatgame.com/1947-baseball-history.html
Robinson's next battle was his opponents. The Chicago Cubs privately boycotted playing the Dodgers by knocking him down every time he was up at the plate. Rumors flew that the St. Louis Cardinals were refusing to play the Brooklyn Dodgers. Ford Frick, the National League president announced any players refusal to play against Robinson would result in a lifetime ban of Major League Baseball.
Robinson experienced the worst discrimination against the Phillies and their manager, Ben Chapman, who had a nonstop tirade of racial slurs and aimed their bats at him like rifles.
In Cincinnati it all exploded, with the torment increasing to death threats, Robinson's teammate Pee Wee Reese, stood up for his new teammate to tell the Reds that with Robinson they would go all the way.
Robinson slumped at the beginning of the season underneath the intense spotlight but he eventually warmed up mid season.
http://www.thisgreatgame.com/1947-baseball-history.html