#Shortstops: The guts not to fight
A career in the major leagues is an alluring dream for any passionate ballplayer. But for Jackie Robinson, the excitement of a major league career was tempered by racial discrimination and injustices. To make this even more challenging, Robinson was expected to contain his anger and frustration in the midst of great adversity on and off the field.
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The discriminations Robinson faced and his capacity for restraint are explored throughout the 2013 biographic film 42, starring the late Chadwick Boseman as Robinson. The film focuses on the years 1946 and 1947, which marked the beginning of Robinson’s relationship with Brooklyn Dodgers president and general manager Branch Rickey, played by Harrison Ford.
As depicted in the film, Rickey was drawn to Robinson for his baseball abilities as well as his disposition. Rickey wanted a Black baseball player who could handle racially charged provocations without fighting back. On Aug. 28, 1945, Rickey interviewed Robinson for three hours, yelling demeaning insults toward him while observing his reactions. Rickey also referenced the Biblical passage advising to “turn the other cheek” when provoked.
In a famous exchange between Robinson and Rickey, included in 42, Robinson asks, “Are you looking for a Negro who is afraid to fight back?” Rickey responded he needed a player “with guts enough not to fight back.”
Rickey decided Robinson had guts. In 1946 he introduced Robinson through the Montreal Royals, Brooklyn's Triple-A affiliate. Robinson then transitioned into the National League, making his debut as a Brooklyn Dodger on April 15, 1947. Robinson stepped out with jersey number 42, which the film 42 pays homage to with its title. The titular number is depicted on a jersey worn by Boseman while portraying Robinson. Boseman also wore a prop baseball cap for his portrayal. Both are now a part of the Museum’s collection.
Robinson broke the color barrier, re-integrating the game. As Rickey warned, Robinson faced many racially motivated challenges. Although 42 takes some dramatic liberties, many of the setbacks depicted in the film are true to Robinson’s experience.
For instance, teammate Dixie Walker instigated a petition against playing with Robinson. Similarly, Philadelphia Phillies manager Ben Chapman unrelentingly hurled racial slurs and insults toward Robinson. As depicted in the film, Robinson and Chapman were later asked to pose together for an orchestrated photograph in order to alleviate poor press as a result of Chapman’s insults.
In 42, the scene portraying Robinson’s endurance of Chapman led to the climax of the film. In this scene, Boseman’s Robinson strikes out while absorbing Chapman's insults. Although Robinson remains composed on the field, he retreats to privately release his anger and frustration. The fictionalized scene depicts Robinson violently smashing a bat and finally breaking into tears with Rickey stepping in to console him. Although this did not happen in real life, it was meant to convey the weight of Robinson’s pent up frustrations. Boseman felt the scene was justified given the fact that Robinson’s wife, Rachel Robinson, did not protest about its inclusion in the film.
On April 15, 1997, Major League Baseball retired the uniform No. 42 in honor of the 50th anniversary of Robinson’s National League debut. Jackie Robinson Day is honored on April 15 each year, with all MLB players wearing No. 42.
Although elements of 42 are dramatized, the film appropriately captures Robinson’s courage in making tremendous strides to break baseball's color barrier. Robinson illustrated his great strength of character and “guts,” as Rickey described, to remain controlled and calm in the face of adversity.
Nikki Humphries was the 2023 digital assets intern in the Hall of Fame’s Frank and Peggy Steele Internship Program for Youth Leadership Development
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