How to Be Like Jackie Robinson: A Book Review
Steve Amoia
December 08, 2008
A few years ago, some players during the Indiana Pacers v. Detroit Pistons basketball game confronted fans, and angrily entered the stands. They were provoked by beer-throwing and expletive hurling fans. Had any of the players and the fans read this book, I doubt that the incident would have ever occurred. We have also seen media reports about workplace situations that have escalated with tragic repercussions, along with an overall decline in civility. This book by Mr. Pat Williams may assist all of us, whether our domain is the basketball arena, the office, or the factory assembly line.
Mr. Pat Williams, who was assisted by Mr. Mike Sielski, has written a book about a famous baseball player. But more importantly, this is the story about a great American: Mr. Jack Roosevelt Robinson, a man of incredible courage, character, and integrity. It is a story that transcends sports. This tale epitomizes the tremendous burden carried on the shoulders of one man, and how the rest of us can benefit from his example in our daily lives.
Legendary Athlete and Civil Rights Champion
"Jackie" Robinson was a star in the Negro Leagues. He was a multi-sport legend at UCLA, and also a former military officer. One of the painful ironies of our country was that an African-American could die defending America on foreign lands, but he could not play in our Major Leagues. Two men changed this, and altered our sporting landscape forever: Branch Rickey, owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, and Jackie Robinson, the first man to break the color line of baseball in 1947. After his baseball career ended, Mr. Robinson became a champion of civil rights in our country.
Strength of Character for a Greater Good
This book is replete with inspirational quotes, along with the long road of courage that was taken by Mr. Robinson. He had to make a vow to Mr. Rickey that lesser mortals would have never considered for a day. Jackie Robinson had to promise never to retaliate against the racial slurs, insults, and deliberate attempts to physically injure him during his first season with Brooklyn. Mr. Robinson was a proud man, and a ferocious competitor. But he understood the challenge that awaited him, and in one of the most unselfish acts, sacrificed his own personal feelings for a greater good. His actions opened the doors for generations of African-American athletes, and also opened the eyes to our country at large. As Dr. Martin Luther King would eloquently state many years later (and I paraphrase,) "A man should be judged by the content and quality of his character. Not by the color of his skin."
A True Champion
If I take one thing away from this great book, it would have to be the initial meeting that took place between Mr. Rickey and Mr. Robinson. It set the tone for everything that would follow. Branch Rickey began to insult Robinson in every form possible as a means to "test" him. "Anger smoldered within Robinson, but he remained quiet for awhile.' Mr. Rickey, are you looking for a Negro who is afraid to fight back?' 'Robinson, I'm looking for a ballplayer with guts enough not to fight back.' "
In a society that is becoming increasingly sensitive and thin-skinned, we need to look at the sterling example of Mr. Robinson.
To learn more about the book at Amazon.com, please click here.
Mr. Pat Williams, who was assisted by Mr. Mike Sielski, has written a book about a famous baseball player. But more importantly, this is the story about a great American: Mr. Jack Roosevelt Robinson, a man of incredible courage, character, and integrity. It is a story that transcends sports. This tale epitomizes the tremendous burden carried on the shoulders of one man, and how the rest of us can benefit from his example in our daily lives.
Legendary Athlete and Civil Rights Champion
"Jackie" Robinson was a star in the Negro Leagues. He was a multi-sport legend at UCLA, and also a former military officer. One of the painful ironies of our country was that an African-American could die defending America on foreign lands, but he could not play in our Major Leagues. Two men changed this, and altered our sporting landscape forever: Branch Rickey, owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, and Jackie Robinson, the first man to break the color line of baseball in 1947. After his baseball career ended, Mr. Robinson became a champion of civil rights in our country.
Strength of Character for a Greater Good
This book is replete with inspirational quotes, along with the long road of courage that was taken by Mr. Robinson. He had to make a vow to Mr. Rickey that lesser mortals would have never considered for a day. Jackie Robinson had to promise never to retaliate against the racial slurs, insults, and deliberate attempts to physically injure him during his first season with Brooklyn. Mr. Robinson was a proud man, and a ferocious competitor. But he understood the challenge that awaited him, and in one of the most unselfish acts, sacrificed his own personal feelings for a greater good. His actions opened the doors for generations of African-American athletes, and also opened the eyes to our country at large. As Dr. Martin Luther King would eloquently state many years later (and I paraphrase,) "A man should be judged by the content and quality of his character. Not by the color of his skin."
A True Champion
If I take one thing away from this great book, it would have to be the initial meeting that took place between Mr. Rickey and Mr. Robinson. It set the tone for everything that would follow. Branch Rickey began to insult Robinson in every form possible as a means to "test" him. "Anger smoldered within Robinson, but he remained quiet for awhile.' Mr. Rickey, are you looking for a Negro who is afraid to fight back?' 'Robinson, I'm looking for a ballplayer with guts enough not to fight back.' "
In a society that is becoming increasingly sensitive and thin-skinned, we need to look at the sterling example of Mr. Robinson.
To learn more about the book at Amazon.com, please click here.
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