How Jackie Robinson Changed Baseball

What initially prevented African Americans from playing baseball in the major leagues?

• An official rule established by the Commissioner of Baseball

• An unofficial agreement between baseball owners

• A law passed by Congress

• Racism on the part of major league baseball players

Which of these statements is true?

• Dodger fans frequently booed Jackie Robinson for his poor play

• Racist fans taunted Robinson, and racist players sometimes tried to hurt him

• All baseball fans welcomed Jackie Robinson's major league debut

• Jackie Robinson only played one year in the major leagues

Which area of American life was de-segregated earliest?

• The armed forces

• Buses, swimming pools, and other public facilities

• Public schools and universities

• Major League Baseball

Place these events in order:

A) Robinson stars at UCLA;

B) Robinson enters the Hall of Fame;

C) Robinson joins the Dodgers

• A, B, C

• C, A, B

• C, B, A

• A, C, B

Which of these is an opinion about Jackie Robinson?

• He was the most talented player on the Dodgers

• He was named Rookie of the Year in 1947

• He was the first African American to play major league baseball in the modern era

• He starred in four sports at UCLA

What role did Branch Rickey play in Jackie Robinson's career?

• He offered Robinson more money than any player was making at the time

• He coached him in the infield and became Robinson's mentor

• He gave Robinson the opportunity to play at the Major League level

• He managed the great Dodger teams of the late 1940s and early 1950s

What can you infer about Jackie Robinson from his response to racist taunts and threats?

• He didn't mind the poor treatment he received from fans and other players

• He could control his emotions and perform under pressure

• He was jealous of the popularity that white players enjoyed

• He had a bad temper that he found difficult to control

What feat today would be comparable to Jackie Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier in 1947?

• An Asian American playing in the Association of Tennis Professionals

• An African American playing in the Women's National Basketball Association

• A woman playing quarterback in the National Football League

• A Latin American playing in the Professional Golfer's Association

How many players have had their numbers retired by all major league teams?

• None

• 10

• Five

• Just One

What might have happened if the Dodgers had not signed Jackie Robinson?

• African Americans would not be allowed to play baseball anywhere

• Willie Mays might not have played in the Major Leagues

• The civil rights movement would not have happened

• Segregation would never have ended