SPORTSCENTURY: FIFTY GREATEST ATHLETES: #15: JACKIE ROBINSON (TV)
Summary
One in this yearlong series of sports documentary programs that count down the twentieth century's top fifty athletes as chosen by an elite group of sports experts and journalists. Hosted by Dan Patrick, each program consists of an in-depth profile of an athlete, along with comments from sports personalities and writers.
This program examines athlete number 15, Jackie Robinson. Topics discussed include: ongoing segregation and racism in the wake of World War II; manager Branch Rickey's stern response to Brooklyn Dodgers players that were unhappy with Robinson's presence on the team; racist treatment from spectators and other players, particularly Philadelphia Phillies manager Ben Chapman; teammate Pee-Wee Reese's famous support of his colleague; how Robinson's great success with the Dodgers actually harmed some all-black teams and associations; his youth in Pasadena, California and impressive multi-sport athletic career at Pasadena Junior College; his military career during WWII and fight against segregationist policies in the Army, which led to his being court-martialed in August 1944 and honorably discharged in November; his aggressive style as a baseball player, including his trademark habit of stealing home; Robinson's decision to leave professional sports in 1956 after being "sold like an old shoe" to the Dodgers' rival team, the New York Giants; his involvement in the business world and the civil rights movement, including conflicts with Malcolm X, who found Robinson insufficiently "militant"; his son Jackie Robinson Jr.'s struggle with drug addiction and eventual 1971 death in a car accident; his many health problems, including diabetes; and his 1972 death from a heart attack, nine days after making a special appearance at Game 2 of the World Series, in which he publicly commented on the need for black managers in professional baseball. Commercials deleted.
This selection from the Alan Gerry Cable Collection has been made available by the Gerry Foundation, Inc.
Details
- NETWORK: ESPN
- DATE: July 30, 1999 10:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:23:32
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:61297
- GENRE: Sports
- SUBJECT HEADING: African-American Collection - Sports; Sports; Biography; Brooklyn Dodgers (baseball team)
- SERIES RUN: ESPN - TV series, 1999
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Dan Patrick … Host
- Bobby Bragan … Interviewee
- Duke Snider … Interviewee
- Sharon Robinson … Interviewee
- Ben Chapman
- Harold "Pee Wee" Reese
- Branch Rickey
- Jackie Robinson
- Jackie Robinson Jr.
- Malcolm X (see also: Malcolm Little)