Most Americans know Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier on April 15, 1947. Few know he refused to move to the back of a military bus 11 years earlier—and was court-martialed for it.
A community program Friday will spotlight this overlooked moment, along with other surprising chapters of Robinson’s life in Pasadena. “Jackie Robinson: Beyond Baseball” uses a “myth vs. fact” format to explore the sports legend’s childhood, multi-sport athletic dominance, and activism.
The one-hour interactive program runs 11 a.m. to noon Friday at Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 N Fair Oaks Ave., for kids and families. Tiffany Dueñas, a Library Technician with Youth Services, and Young Phong, a Reference Librarian, will lead the session.
Robinson’s military stand occurred in July 1944 at Fort Hood, Texas, when a bus driver ordered him to move to the back—despite military buses on base being officially desegregated. Robinson refused and was court-martialed on charges including disturbing the peace, drunkenness, conduct unbecoming an officer, and insubordination. After a 4.5-hour trial on Aug. 2, 1944, a court of nine combat officers acquitted him of all charges.
At UCLA (1939-1941), UCLA recognizes Robinson as the only Bruin to earn varsity letters in four sports: football, basketball, track and field, and baseball. Baseball was his weakest sport; he posted a .097 batting average in 1940.
After his 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers debut, Robinson posted a .297 batting average, 125 runs scored, and 29 stolen bases (leading the league). He was named the first-ever MLB Rookie of the Year on Sept. 17, 1947.
Jackie Robinson: Beyond Baseball will run on Friday, Jan. 30, from 11 a.m. to noon. Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 N Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena. For more information, call (626) 744-7300 or visit https://www.cityofpasadena.net/library/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D194667910.
