Which detail concerning Jackie Robinson's professional baseball career is LEAST relevant to the overall purpose of this selectio
n?
A) Robinson was befriended by Pee Wee Reese.
B) Robinson endured considerable harassment.
C) Robinson also played third base and outfield.
Eliminate
D) Robinson faced opposition from players and fans.
(1)Robinson's debut at first base with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947 in which he batted 0 for 3, was one of the most closely watched events in baseball history and a profound moment in the history of the U.S. civil rights movement. Although he played his entire rookie year at first base, Robinson spent most of his career as a second baseman. (2)He also played many games at third base, and in the outfield.
2 During that first season, Robinson suffered considerable abuse. (3)He generally conducted himself very well, though his composure cracked from time to time. For example, he punched an umpire in the face after the ump used a racial slur. (4)Many Dodgers were highly resistant, and hostile to his presence. A group of Dodger players insinuated they would rather strike than play (5)alongside a black man such as Robinson but the mutiny was ended when Dodger management informed the players that they were welcome to find employment elsewhere. He did have the support of Kentucky-born shortstop Pee Wee Reese who proved to be his closest comrade on the team. (6)During one game, Cincinnati players were screaming at Jackie, and then they started to get on Reese as well. Pee Wee went over to Jackie and put his arm around him and smiled. Jackie smiled back. The pair became a very effective defensive combination as a result.
3 Throughout the season, Robinson experienced considerable harassment from both players and fans. (7)Pitchers through at his head. Baserunners tried to cut him with their cleats. He was verbally assaulted by both his own teammates and opposing teams. The Philadelphia Phillies were particularly abusive. In their April 22 game against the Dodgers, they jeered at and insulted him ceaselessly. Rickey would later recall that this did more than anything to unite the Dodgers. It solidified and united thirty men.
4 In Robinson's rookie season, he earned the major-league minimum salary of $5000, which was standard for many rookies at the time. He played in 151 games, hit .297, and was the league leader in stolen bases with 29.Robinson was awarded the Rookie of the Year award in 1947 and the Most Valuable Player award for the National League in 1949. (8)He not only contributed to Brooklyn pennant’s in both years, but his determination and hustle kept the Dodgers in pennant races in 1950 and 1951 when they might otherwise have been eliminated much sooner. In 1955, though clearly in the decline of his career, (9)Robinson would play a significant role in leading the Dodgers to their first and only World Series championship in Brooklyn in a seven game victory over the New York Yankees.
5 Robinson's Major League career was fairly short. He did not enter the majors until he was 28, and he was often injured as he aged. In his prime, he was greatly respected both for his playing skills and as a person. After the 1956 season, (10)Robinson was sold by the Dodgers, to the New York Giants. Rather than report to the Giants, however, Robinson chose to retire at age 37.
