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Review by Budd Bailey
Arnold Rampersad's new biography, "Jackie Robinson" was timed for release 50 years after Robinson became the first African-American to play major league baseball in the twentieth century. His book is not only a reminder of how far we've come in those 50 years, but how far we've come in the past 25 years in appreciating what Robinson accomplished in his career.
In 1972, Robinson was alive for the silver anniversary of his arrival in the majors. The occasion was barely acknowledged; the baseball commissioner's office picked Robinson to throw out the ceremonial first ball at the second game of the World Series. The event did not receive much publicity, although Robinson made a few headlines for noting the absence of black managers from the game.
Twenty-five years later, the fiftieth anniversary was the biggest special event of the baseball season. In April, Robinson's former team, the Dodgers, played the Mets in Robinson's former home city, New York. The game was stopped after the fifth inning. President Clinton spoke about Robinson's accomplishments, and baseball executive Bud Selig announced that Robinson's number -- 42 -- eventually would be retired by every major league team.
Robinson deserves such tributes. He brought major league baseball into the modern era in spite of tremendous obstacles. The America of 1947 -- not that long ago, when you think about it -- was still a time of separate and unequal societies. Robinson had to fight to eat at the same restaurant, sleep at the same hotel, and drink out of the same water fountain as his teammates. He demanded equality, and had to win it slowly, battle by battle.
Rampersad's book is at its most exciting during the years when Robinson was in the midst of his baseball career. But those are the years that are the most familiar to people. The author thoroughly covers the early years of Robinson's life, when he showed why he was one of the greatest all-around athletes in the history of this country. Robinson was a top college football and basketball player, and a world-class track star.
After retiring from baseball in 1957, Robinson worked at several business ventures but became most well known for speaking and writing about race relations in this country. His stances weren't always popular, but there was little doubt of his sincerity.
Rampersad chronicles just how active Robinson was at this time, despite being slowed by the growing effects of diabetes. Along the way, the author quotes from Robinson's personal papers to give the reader insight into what Robinson was thinking at a particular time.
"Jackie Robinson" is a thorough look into the life of one of the most influential athletes of the century. It's a book that's worthy of its subject.
Budd Bailey is a writer in Buffalo, New York.
©1997, ProMotion, inc.
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