Jackie Robinson Art Print, He Agreed Not to Answer, Brooklyn 1947, Vintage Wall Art

Three years of silence, agreed in advance. Branch Rickey did not ask Jackie Robinson whether he could take the abuse. He asked whether he had the restraint not to answer it, for three years, whatever came. Robinson agreed.

In 1947 he was spiked, thrown at, refused hotel rooms, and abused from opposing dugouts by men using words the newspapers would not print. He answered none of it. He hit .297, was named Rookie of the Year, and Brooklyn went to the World Series.

When the three years ended he stopped holding back, and the same press that had praised his dignity began calling him difficult.

Stories worth passing on, not just remembering.