what sports did jackie robinson play besides baseball
Jackie Robinson At Muir Tech, Robinson played several sports at the varsity level and lettered in four of them: football, basketball, track, and baseball.[15] He played shortstop and catcher on the baseball team, quarterback on the football team, and guard on the basketball team. With the track and field squad, he won awards in the broad jump. He was also a member of the tennis team.[23]
Jackie Robinson Robinson once told future Hall of Fame inductee Hank Aaron that "the game of baseball is great, but the greatest thing is what you do after your career is over."[218] Robinson retired from baseball at age 37 on January 5, 1957.[219] Later that year, after he complained of numerous physical ailments, his doctors diagnosed him with diabetes, a disease that also afflicted his brothers.[220] Although Robinson adopted an insulin injection regimen, the state of medicine at the time could not prevent the continued deterioration of Robinson's physical condition from the disease.[221]
Jackie Robinson In early 1945, while Robinson was at Sam Huston College, the Kansas City Monarchs sent him a written offer to play professional baseball in the Negro leagues.[58][75] Robinson accepted a contract for $400 per month.[48][76] Although he played well for the Monarchs, Robinson was frustrated with the experience. He had grown used to a structured playing environment in college, and the Negro leagues' disorganization and embrace of gambling interests appalled him.[77][78] The hectic travel schedule also placed a burden on his relationship with Isum, with whom he could now communicate only by letter.[79] In all, Robinson played 47 games at shortstop for the Monarchs, hitting .387 with five home runs, and registering 13 stolen bases.[80] He also appeared in the 1945 Negro League All-Star Game, going hitless in five at-bats.[81]
Jackie Robinson In 1956, Robinson had 61 runs scored, a .275 batting average, and 12 steals.[153] By then, he had begun to exhibit the effects of diabetes and to lose interest in the prospect of playing or managing professional baseball.[181] Robinson ended his major league career when he struck out to end Game 7 of the 1956 World Series.[188] After the season, Robinson was traded by the Dodgers to the arch-rival New York Giants for Dick Littlefield and $35,000 cash (equal to $315,043 today). The trade, however, was never completed; unbeknownst to the Dodgers, Robinson had already agreed with the president of Chock full o'Nuts to quit baseball and become an executive with the company.[189] Since Robinson had sold exclusive rights to any retirement story to Look magazine two years previously,[189] his retirement decision was revealed through the magazine, instead of through the Dodgers organization.[190]