Playing as the Second baseman Jackie Robinson was the first African American professional baseball player to play in MLB in the modern-day. Because of Robinson, color differences were dismissed when he took his place as a first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Due to being a inspirational sports star, Jackie Robinson quotes are quite famous.
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Let’s look at some of the most inspirational Jackie Robinson quotes ..
Best Jackie Robinson Quotes (Handpicked)
1. “I do not believe that every person, in every walk of life, can succeed in spite of any handicap. That would be erfection.“
2. “It kills me to lose. If I’m a troublemaker, and I don’t think that my temper makes me one, then it’s because I can’t stand losing. That’s the way I am about winning, all I ever wanted to do was finish first.”
3. “I guess if I could choose one of the most important moments in my life, I would go back to 1947, in the Yankee Stadium in New York City.”
4. “The way I figured it, I was even with baseball and baseball with me. The game had done much for me, and I had done much for it.“
5. “When I am playing baseball, I give it all that I have on the ball field. When the ball game is over, I certainly don’t take it home. My little girl who is sitting out there wouldn’t know the difference between a third strike and a foul ball.“
6. “Baseball is like a poker game. Nobody wants to quit when he’s losing; nobody wants you to quit when you’re ahead.“
7. “I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me… All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.“
8. “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”
9. “We are demanding that we just be given the things that are rightfully ours and that we’re not looking for anything else.”
10. “The right of every American to first-class citizenship is the most important issue of our time.”
11. “I don’t care if they like me. I didn’t come here to make friends. I don’t even care if they respect me. I know who I am. I’ve got enough respect for myself. I do not want them to beat me.“
12. “The most luxurious possession, the richest treasure anybody has, is his personal dignity.“
13. “Many people resented my impatience and honesty, but I never cared about acceptance as much as I cared about respect.“
14. “Negroes aren’t seeking anything which is not good for the nation as well as ourselves. In order for America to be 100 percent strong — economically, defensively and morally -we cannot afford the waste of having second- and third-class citizens.”
15. “The many of us who attain what we may and forget those who help us along the line we’ve got to remember that there are so many others to pull along the way.“
16. “But as I write these words now I cannot stand and sing the National Anthem. I have learned that I remain a black in a white world.”
17. “Life is not a spectator sport. If you’re going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you’re wasting your life.”
18. “There’s not an American in this country free until every one of us is free.”
19. “How you played in yesterday’s game is all that counts.“
20. “Above anything else, I hate to lose.”
Quotes on Jackie Robinson
21. “He’s a Methodist, I’m a Methodist… And God’s a Methodist; We can’t go wrong.“- Branch Rickey
22. “There was never a man in the game who could put mind and muscle together quicker and with better judgment than Robinson.” – Branch Rickey
23. “If it wasn’t for him the Dodgers would be in the second division.” – Red Schoendienst
24. “I don’t care if the guy is yellow or black, or if he has stripes like a fucking zebra. I’m the manager of this team and I say he plays.” – Leo Durocher
25. “If I were in Jackie Robinson’s shoes, I probably never would have made it.” – Bob Gibson
26. “He was the only player I ever saw in a rundown who could be safe more often than out. He ran as if his head was on a swizzle, back and forth, back and forth, until he could get out of it.” – Bobby Bragan
27. “He was the greatest competitor I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen him beat a team with his bat, his ball, his glove, his feet and, in a game in Chicago one time, with his mouth.” – Duke Snider
28. “He was a therapist for the masses by succeeding, by doing it with such style, flair and drama. He helped level baseball off, to make it truly a game for black and white, with excellence the only test for success.” – Jesse Jackson
29. “He knew he had to do well. He knew that the future of blacks in baseball depended on it. The pressure was enormous, overwhelming, and unbearable at times. I don’t know how he held up. I know I never could have.” – Duke Snider
30. “Jackie Robinson is the loneliest man I have ever seen in sports.” – Jimmy Cannon
31. “He struck a mighty blow for equality, freedom and the American way of life. Jackie Robinson was a good citizen, a great man, and a true American champion.” – Ronald Reagan
32. “He led America by example. He reminded our people of what was right and he reminded them of what was wrong. I think it can be safely said today that Jackie Robinson made the United States a better nation.” – Gene Budig
33. “Give me five players like Robinson and a pitcher and I’ll beat any nine-man team in baseball.” – Chuck Dressen
34. “Robinson did not merely play at center stage. He was center stage; and wherever he walked, center stage moved with him.” – Roger Kahn
Facts about Jackie Robinson
Teddy Roosevelt inspired Jackie Robinson’s middle name. Jackie was the youngest one out of the five children in his family, and almost one year, he and his family moved to Pasadena, California.
Robinson’s first selection in a Baseball team was in the Pomona Annual Baseball Tournament All-Star Team alongside MLB Hall of Famer Ted Williams. He also played tennis and was good enough to win an under-age boys’ singles title in the Pacific Coast Negro Tennis Tournament.
Jackie was even a part of an army unit throughout World War II. He was stationed alongside world champion boxer Joe Louis and then after a few years, promoted as an officer in the second lieutenant rank in 1943.
Breaking the Color Barrier
Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier when he played in MLB in the USA in the 20th century. On April 15th, 1947, Jackie Robinson played in Major League Baseball for the National League Brooklyn Dodgers versus the Boston Braves.
Through his 10-year MLB professional career, Robinson received the club’s inaugural Rookie of the Year Award in 1947. His name has various achievements, including being an all-star for six seasons and being awarded as the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1949.
