Basball Hero

While some people threatened Jackie Robinson and his family, others stood by him. They protected his right to play baseball in the major leagues. Some of the people that protected him and his right to play were League President Ford Frick, Baseball Commissioner Happy Chandler, Jewish baseball star Hank Greenberg, and Dodgers shortstop and team captain Pee Wee Reese. One instance of harasment, Pee Wee Reese walked over to Jackie and put his arm around his shoulder. This is known as one of the most famous gesture in sports. Through the tormenting of Jackie he managed to put all of the racial strife aside and prooved himself to be a good ball player. He hit 12 home runs in his rookie season to help his cause. He also hit .342 and fielded .985. He went on to earn the Rookie of the Year award in 1945. In 1949, He led the league in stolen bases while also hitting .342 on his way to winning the National League's Most Valuable Player(MVP) Award. Robinson also opened the door for players such as Satchel Paige, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron.