Young Dragons begin their journey

Kofi Kordie (left) / Din Islam

The High School for Math, Science, and Engineering Boys’ Basketball team kicked off their season opener with a 67-22 loss against Fiorello H Laguardia on December 4th at City College’s Nat Holman Gymnasium. Ten of the team’s total 13 athletes are underclassmen, which more closely resembles a junior varsity squad. Despite the loss, the game offered the young team valuable experience in varsity competition.

The game was also the first for head coach David Scheiman with the Dragons. Previously, Scheiman coached at Richard Green High School of Teaching from 2004-2012. During his time there, Scheiman won back to back division championships in the ‘07 and ‘08 seasons, as well as moving the team to the A-Division. Scheiman saw this game with an optimistic eye.

“I think we’re a very young team," Scheiman said. "For a lot of them, this is their first time playing varsity basketball. I think they got good exposure today. I think we did alright the first half. I think the second half we went out of gas. It’s important for them to learn the process of what its like to play on a high school varsity team."

From opening the team’s scoring with a three pointer, to finishing the game with 11 of his team’s 22 points, senior guard Kofi Kordie demonstrated his leadership.

“I think Kofi had a really good game today and really showed heart,” Scheiman said.

Kordie's ability to shake off any pre-game jitters of playing in front of the home crowd enhanced his performance during the game.

“I wasn’t really nervous during this game," Kordie said. "I guess that’s the reason why I shot a little bit better today."

Freshman point guard David Li showed flashes of future promise, dishing out two assists, but also made some careless turnovers.

Dionys Gutierrez (right) / Paul Lee

“I need to not turn over the ball as much and keep my head up” Li said. "I can improve on my passing and my scoring.”

One of the things missing from the Dragons’ game was their ability to capitalize off of turnovers and defensive stops. A series of crowd-raising blocks by senior center Dionys Gutierrez failed to result in any points in transition. His defensive presence alone will not be enough to push this team forward unless they can find a way to convert easy shots near the basket.

This is the beginning of a rebuilding process for the Dragons, after the graduation of 1,000 point scorer Kavan Edwards. With ten underclassmen, HSMSE's team has a promising foundation to build upon in the upcoming season.

A message for all of our athletes

A message for all of our athletes. The game you play is a gift; enjoy every minute it. Each time you step on the court or field, whether it is for a game or for practice, approach it like it was your last, because it just might be.

The Dragons make the playoffs for the second year in a row

The Dragons / S. Louie

This spring the High School for Math Science and Engineering’s volleyball team made the playoffs for the second consecutive year. They finished their season with a tie for third place in their division with the  High School for Environmental Studies. Both incoming freshman and hardworking seniors carried the team to the first round of the playoffs.

The team had to overcome an 0-2 start while they were missing key seniors. “We were missing people like Jeremy [Wain Hirschberg] and Yassine [Khaliqui],” said Kofi Kordie, one of the outside hitters for the team. 

As the season progressed the team gained experience.  

“We all improved, learning to work together and becoming more comfortable with each other,” said junior setter Spencer Sharp.

The closer they got to the playoffs, the mentality of the team changed. 

“[Our attitude toward playing changed. We started to get more hype about playing,” said freshman Lemuel Burgos. 

The determination of the team netted them a 7-3 finish in their last 10 games which helped them secure a spot in the playoffs.

In the first round of the 2013 PSAL volleyball playoffs the Dragons faced Christopher Columbus High School. The Dragons went down  0-1, with the team battling hard but eventually falling in the second set. 

“The first set of the playoffs we were very nervous, the second set we were more comfortable, said Kordie. 

One of the most influential  freshman that helped the Dragons get to the playoffs was Burgos. He had to fill in for Dionys Gutierrez, the Dragon’s middle hitter, who was ineligible during the duration of the regular season. 

“Lemuel was expected to pick up Dionys’ position, he was expected to block and hit, which he delivered pretty well,” said Kordie.

Even though the Dragons were knocked out of the first round of the playoffs, they tried their hardest and hope to make it to the playoffs next year. This will mostly depend on the the development of the  underclassmen who will be taking the place of the seniors.

Contributed by Sahar Saedi and Shawn Watts

The Lady Dragons are ready to move upward

HSMSE girls' softball team - HSMSE PTA 

The HSMSE girls' softball team finished the 2013 season undefeated and will most likely advance to the Manhattan B division next spring. They were placed in the developmental league because they were a relatively new team in the PSAL but should be moving up since they finished the season with a great record.

In the 2013 season the team had six seniors, which made up more than a third of the team. Fortunately, a majority of underclassmen will make up for the loss of the seniors.The new athletes this season showed their dedication to the team and proved that they are ready play next season.

“The freshman are devoted, they come to every practice and even our games to show their support.” said coach Crystal Downey.

Of the underclassmen this season, freshman Taylor Faulds stands out from the rest of the team, mainly because of her experience as a softball player. Her pitching has been consistent, and made a difference on the team. She ended this season with a 0.70 ERA, which contributed to their undefeated season by giving the opposing teams a hard time to scoring.

The team is putting in more effort with Coach Downey, who is a big factor in their great record this season.The team doubled their practice time from two days a week, to four days a week and even started practicing on the weekends.

 “Ms. Downey is a much more thorough coach and always makes sure we are ready for the games,” said second basemen Katherine Marlowe.

contributed by Nasif Chowdhury 

Dragons' softball team step up to the plate

HSMSE Softball Team Photo/photo taken by: HSMSE PTA

For three years the High School for Math Science and Engineering softball team has been in the developmental league, but their recent and rapid improvement may be enough to promote them to the Manhattan B division in 2014. The Lady Dragons ended their regular season with a 5-0-1 record, a huge improvement from their 4-6 record in 2012.

Their coach brought out the potential that the players had. Coach Crystal Downey gave the team more time to play and get a feel for the game.

“The change in coaches was definitely positive, at the start we didn't really have real practices for fielding or hitting. Now Ms.Downey is a much more thorough with us; she is a lot more strict,” said senior outfielder Hannah Creutzfeldt.

“They were all very committed. We became more competitive,” said Coach Downey.

In addition to the increase of their overall skill level, freshman contributed a big part in the improvement of the Lady Dragons.One key freshmen that played an important role in the team’s success was Taylor Faulds. Her dominant pitching resulted in an average of one run per seven innings earning her 0.70 ERA.  

The High School for Math Science and Engineering softball team ranked at the top of the developmental league, finishing the season undefeated. Their play shows that they are ready for a higher division and Downey predicts that the team is prepared for the challenge.

“The team will do well, but will not be undefeated,” said Downey.

Contributed by: Alex Long

Dragons shutout in first season

Baseball / Wikimedia Commons

Moving up from the PSAL Developmental league to the Bronx South Division, the High School For Math Science and Engineering baseball team faced a rough 0-13 season. Elevating to a higher league did not play in the Dragons favor. This season there were several factors which affected the team’s performance, one being the change in division, which led the team to play twice as many games as last season. After the loss of last year's seniors the team acquired new players who had little to no previous experience in the sport.

This season the team had half the amount of seniors compared to last years roster. The seven seniors that played in the 2012 season had important positions on the field. The team lost most of their starting infield and outfield players. As a result they needed players to step up in order to have the necessary amount of athletes.

“Since we lost a lot of seniors last year, we had to get a lot of people who either haven't played baseball or weren't used to the game so getting to know each other and getting to work together with new players was pretty difficult,” said senior outfielder Kyle Grasing.

The baseball team also struggled this season because the players lacked motivation and the skills required at this level of competition. This was due to the fact that players found the early morning practices very inconvenient. These sessions affected the productivity level of the team and limited the team’s improvement to the few who dedicated their time.

“If someone really wants to play and if someone really wants to work hard, they’ll come no matter what time it is to improve himself,” said coach David Scheiman.

With a higher level of competition, the baseball team had trouble adjusting to the difficulty of the B-Division. They weren’t able to hit against the better pitchers and they weren't able to field the ball well during important situations in the games.

“I think we can definitely improve in our fielding, situational hitting, and in general hitting,” said Scheiman.

The baseball team will need to continue to improve and develop their skills in order to elevate their performance level to meet the demands of their league. They will need to show their commitment and dedication towards the team and attend practices so that they can improve between games. Players should also take the initiative to practice on their own time and go above and beyond league requirements. They have to find a way to navigate through the upcoming season and motivate each other in order to do better next season.

Contributed By Anya Batista and Din Islam 

HSMSE freshmen brighten the future for baseball and softball

The best way to make a name for yourself in sports is to start off strong. Many professional athletes began their careers with outstanding play that made them household names. From then on they continued to improve and help their teams win. Recent examples include Mike Trout and Justin Verlander. The High School for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering’s boys’ baseball and girls’ softball teams both have that talented young player.

Henry Schoenfeld is a freshman catcher that has added much needed experience to the team. With the loss of many veteran seniors, the Dragons had to find players quickly in time for the season. Schoenfeld played for various teams outside of school and came to the team with advanced baseball knowledge and skill. His experience might one day help the team with newer players that aren’t too familiar with baseball. He played three different positions and contributed as much as he could to the team.

“Henry tried out for catcher day one, but I had him at shortstop and third base and he did well. Pretty much wherever I put Henry, he is good as gold!” said coach David Scheiman.

Taylor Faulds, a freshman pitcher for the HSMSE girls’ softball team has the been the player they needed to help compete at a higher level. She brought much needed pitching and hitting to the team. They needed her background knowledge of the game because of the influx of inexperienced freshmen. With her passion for the game, she was able to help the other freshmen get into the game.

"She helped get the girls to practice and want to win games," said coach Crystal Downey.

With experience and skill, these two players will definitely impact the team greatly when all of the seniors graduate. As they get older, their leadership will make them even greater assets.

The replacements

Spencer Sharp / Sara Louie

The High School for Math, Science, and Engineering boys’ volleyball team is in a tough spot because of their top players graduating. The Dragons must now look to their current juniors to take their place next year and continue the teams’ success. Junior setter Spencer Sharp and junior outside hitter/defensive specialist Kofi Kordie are among these prospects.

Seniors Ardit Piroli and Jeremy Wain-Hirschberg led the team to a 7-5 season, taking them to the playoffs for the second straight year. This is the first time the Dragons have made the playoffs in back to back seasons in school history.

The Dragons’ hopes for a solid setter directed them toward Sharp. The accurate passes he contributed as the main setter were key to the team’s overall success.

“I think Spencer’s decision making as a setter will improve and that will come from more volleyball that he will play,” said coach Nick Diunte.

Kofi Kordie / Sara Louie

Kordie, a rookie to the team, will be a valuable asset next season. In his first game, he was thrust into a starting role due to complications with the availability of some of the starters.

“This was my first year playing and I had to learn very quickly,” said Kordie.

Improvement must not only come from these two if the Dragons want to enter the playoffs again next year. Other athletes who saw respectable playing time will have to harvest more of their abilities for their inevitable increased use.

“I think there is going to be more playing time for Austin Han as well and then we have to hope we get a few freshmen come in or maybe a sophomore that's in the school that wants to play that we can develop because we are losing four very talented and skilled seniors,” said Diunte.

These graduating seniors will create big gaps on the court for the athletes who will start next year. With prospects like Sharp and Kordie, the team has the capability to continue their playoff appearance streak; however, there still remains a need for a strong set of rookies.

Contributed by Velid Mulic and Kian Zadeh

The first active NBA player to come out

Joshua S. Kelly - Wikimedia Commons

Jason Collins stated in a Sports illustrated article that he is gay, which is the first time an active professional NBA player has admitted this. His choice to disclose this information can drastically change his future because players may act differently around him than in the past.

He could have revealed his sexuality in the middle of a season, but decided not to because it could cause problems during the season. Collins' decision to wait until the end of the season before announcing this shows his maturity. It shows he thinks about how his decision may affect the game and the players in it.

The public is taking the sports illustrated article very seriously and is showing their support for him. Many people are revering him because of his courage to admit that he is a homosexual. “I couldn’t be prouder,” President Barack Obama said.

Not everyone is showing support for Jason Collins. Some people think his decision is wrong. NFL player Leroy Butler was supposed to make a presentation about anti bullying in a church in Wisconsin. Butler posted a tweet congratulating Collins, and as a result, the church said Butler couldn’t make his presentation. The church was against him supporting Collins and in order to make his speech they asked him to remove the tweet and ask for forgiveness, which he declined.

Collins is similar to Jackie Robinson in the way he is changing the NBA. He is the first active gay NBA player which can draw lots of resentment. This is similar to when Jackie Robinson was one of the first African Americas to play in the Major Leagues. Collins may face resentment, but hopefully many people will accept him like Robinson.

Nate Robinson filling the gap

Nate Robinson / Flickr - Shinya

Nate Robinson was picked up on February 4, 2013 from the Golden State Warriors as a backup for the Chicago Bulls  superstar Derrick Rose. Robinson has provided the Bulls the surge they have needed to contend with the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

Robinson saw as few as 16 minutes in the first three games in their playoff series against the Nets, leaving most of the work to Kirk Hinrich.An opportunity for Robinson to play occurred when Hinrich injured his calf in Game 3.

In Game 4, Robinson led the team with 34 points in just 28 minutes, 23 of them coming in the 4th quarter. “Just let the ball find me.” Robinson told Coach Tom Thibodeau in a NY Times article. His critical scoring in the fourth quarter helped secure a triple OT win.

Due to Hinrich’s calf injury, Robinson saw 35+ minutes a game in the playoffs, giving him more of an opportunity to shine. His scoring in the last few games leading up to their victory over the Nets wasn't as spectacular as his performance in Game 4. His consistent scoring was much needed at the guard spot to fill the hole left by the absence of Rose and Hinrich.

Robinson will have to show more of his tenacity in their next series, producing opportunities for his teammates if the Bulls hope to defeat the seemingly unstoppable number one seeded Miami Heat.

Kobe Bryant clouds the Lakers’ chances in the playoffs

Kobe Bryant / Jenson Chan - Flickr

Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant tore his Achilles tendon on April 13 and is expected to be sidelined for nine months. Due to his absence, the Lakers lost in the first round of the playoffs after they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs.

Bryant made a tremendous contribution to the Lakers during the regular season. He led his team by scoring 27.3 points per game and adding 6.0 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game. His great offensive skills led him to become the fourth leading scorer of all time in the NBA this season.

Not only did Bryant provide his team with valuable scoring, he also motivated his teammates to do better and helped them grow as players. "Kobe is a different type of player, just like I said, just sitting back and watching Kobe and how he handled himself the whole year was great for me to watch,” said his teammate Dwight Howard to the LA Times.

Even though Bryant wasn’t able to play against the Spurs he encouraged his team to continue to make good defensive and offensive plays. “What I would say if I was there right now? Pau get ur a-- on the block and don't move till u get it #realtalk," tweeted Bryant as he coached his teammates from home.

Without Bryant, the Lakers lacked motivation and had difficulty scoring against the tough defense of the Spurs. As Bryant recovers there is hope that next year the Lakers will have a strong season. With the help of Pau Gasol and Howard, Bryant will try to make the Lakers a winning team. His main focus is to recover from this injury with the same mentality he always had.

“We don't quit, we don't cower, we don't run. We endure and conquer" said Bryant on Facebook.

John Tavares lifts Isles to playoff berth

John Tavares vs. Rangers' goalie - Robert Kowal - flickr.com

The New York Islanders have been plagued by bad luck for the past six years. After surprisingly making it to the playoffs in 2007, the Isles went back into a slump in which they wouldn’t make the playoffs for six years. This year, they were able to clinch the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference and played the top seeded Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Islanders went 8-0-3 in the month of April in order to earn a playoff berth. Only one of their three losses were in regulation, showing the resilience and determination of the young team. One player in particular who helped the Isles play astoundingly in April was John Tavares.

Tavares was drafted first overall in the 2009 draft from the London Knights. In his first two years his play wasn’t as consistent as it was in London. This year he has shown that he is an elite center and a contender for the Hart Trophy.

Tavares played 48 games in the regular season, ranking first in games played and in those games he scored 28 goals, constantly helping the team be competitive. He finished third in goals scored, only behind Alex Ovechkin and Steve Stamkos. Tavares is among the elite scorers of the league. Some may argue he’s only good at scoring, but he’s fifth overall in goals created which makes him a diverse offensive player. The one thing that Tavares must work on is his maturity level, as a 22-year-old he must gain experience and help the younger Islanders.

"We just keep getting better and that's the exciting part for us. We didn't seem to put any of our focus on the outside, we just worried about in here, the belief in here and knowing that when we play our game, we're a tough team to play against, no matter who we're playing,” said Tavares in a New York Newsday article.

Tavares is able to lead the team when he is on the ice due to his tenacity and heart. He can score in the first few minutes of the game or in overtime.  With Tavares playing well, the Islanders can be a top contender for the championship next season.

Return of D-Rose?

Derrick Rose / Keith Allison - Flickr.com

Derrick Rose is rumored to return to the playoffs after suffering a torn ACL more than a year ago. The injury threw doubt on the Chicago Bulls’ success in the 2012-2013 season. Now the team is heading into Game 5 against the Miami Heat and it is urgent that their franchise player returns.

Despite being without their star guard, the Bulls managed to reach 5th place in the Eastern Conference and beat the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the playoffs. Their current challenge is overcoming a 3-1 series deficit and advancing past the league MVP LeBron James and the Heat. With all of their injury problems, the Bulls are in a tricky situation. A returning Rose; however will just be enough to offer the Heat a challenge.

Another pressure Rose faces comes from the fans. Rose has received much criticism due to his absence despite being cleared to play for more than two months. The NBA star even participated in full contact practices.

“If this is about, 'Hey, it doesn't feel right and I'm worried I can hurt it,' then no way should he play,” TNT commentator Steve Kerr was quoted in an ESPN article. ”But if this is just about, 'You know, gosh, I'm just not quite confident yet.' I would appeal to him and say, 'Can you give us 20 minutes?' And if you're Derrick, you've been watching Noah and Hinrich play on one leg this whole series, at what point do you start to feel sort of self-conscious and guilty about what's unfolding?"

Both his teammates and the Bulls organization are coming to Rose’s aid. ‘‘It’s not bothersome because I know all that he’s putting into it and I know who he is,’’ Bulls’ coach Tom Thibodeau said in a Sun Times article. ‘‘I know his character. He’s done amazing things for our organization, and he’s doing all he can. That’s all you can ever ask a guy to do. So there’s always going to be some negativity, but I think the vast majority of it is very positive.’’

The Bulls are in a tough predicament and need some help. Despite an early 3-1 series lead, the team was forced to wait for Game 7 to win their first round series against the Brooklyn Nets. Now the Bulls are facing possible elimination against the top team in the NBA. Rose is the missing piece for the Bulls, but only time will tell if they will have to wait for the next season to fit him in. "Everybody has their own opinion," Rose was quoted in a USA Today article as a response to Kerr’s statement. "The key words that he said were, 'If I'm ready.' (Right now) I'm not ready. I'm just trying to take my time and really, really be smart."

Jackie Robinson, the man that broke through boundaries

Jackie Robinson / Wikimedia Commons

One of the first black American baseball players to be allowed to participate in the major league, Jackie Robinson, is remembered for his determination when playing for the sport, and his impact on the racial boundaries of society.

Robinson is remembered for his hard work and self-control. He was chosen to be the player to break the color barrier because he was an all-around athlete and he had a good feel for the game as shown when he played for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Leagues. Robinson’s impact in MLB allowed more black baseball players to have the same opportunity due to his ability to endure the abuse of baseball fans, the opposition, and even his own teammates.

He was able to pave the road to allow more black baseball players to play in the majors by performing at the top of the league while never fighting back. Robinson got pitches thrown at him, was intentionally spiked, while still being able to hit home runs and steal bases. He was awarded with the honor of MVP in 1949 and was also able to assist the Brooklyn Dodgers to the World Series six times, winning their only championship 1955.

Robinson’s impact on racial boundaries loosened segregation in his time and allowed black Americans to go for work that were considered only for white Americans, ultimately allowing Barack Obama to run for president.

The struggles of Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson / Bob Sandberg - Commons

Many may wonder why Jackie Robinson is still talked about today and why is he such a significant figure in baseball. Most would answer that he was the first African American to play in the major leagues, but it was much more than that.

Robinson was selected from in the Negro Leagues to become the first African American in modern day to play baseball in the major leagues. He was scouted while the Brooklyn Dodgers were looking for new talent in many foreign countries, searching for players that could potentially win them the pennant. When Robinson first met Branch Rickey, the Dodgers’ club president, he was told that the hardest part of playing in the major league would be not fighting back no matter what might come his way.

The hate was far beyond just the fans; Robinson had to deal with teammates that did not want to play with him, opponents that looked to harm him, and the pressure of failure. Despite the odds being stacked against him, Robinson led the Dodgers to a pennant in 1955, as well as being crowned MVP in 1949.

Robinson’s achievements move far outside just winning the World Series. He is a recognized figure throughout baseball because he paved the way for others to follow in the major leagues. This was not just limited to black people, but any man of color that was previously rejected because of their nationality. 
 
Robinson is recognized for his struggles because it was one of the first major steps in ending segregation not just in baseball, but across the United States.

Jackie Robinson, role model of the century

Jackie Robinson is one of the most influential people in American history. Everybody knows Robinson as an amazing baseball player that fought through the harsh conditions of competing in the “white” major leagues. Not only was Robinson a phenomenal player, but he was a humble human being as well. He paved the way for not only colored ball players, but also for civil rights activists as well.

Robinson had to play with the terrors of racism. He had to sleep away from his teammates and even had to scour for food alone. He was not allowed in most facilities with his teammates, so he was on his own most of the time. Not only did Robinson overcome these harsh conditions, but he performed terrifically in them. He led the Brooklyn Dodgers to the World Series in his first year on the team.

Robinson fought off racism by showing how wonderful he played on the field, performing proficiently on both offense and defense. With his extraordinary charisma and athletics, Robinson was able to win over the hearts of thousands of whites that loved to watch him play, something no other African American player could say they’ve done. With thousands of fans behind him, Robinson was able to prove that blacks could sell out stadiums just as well as whites could, which led to other teams singing African American players.

Robinson was the greatest role model in the middle of the 20th century, but why is he still praised today? If you look at baseball today, there is a diverse range of nationalities. Robinson was the perfect person to not only win over fans with his skills, but to shrug off any harsh actions thrown his way. Robinson is inspirational in the way he handled adversity and flourished both on and off the field.

Jackie Robinson's contribution to the Civil Rights Movement

Jackie Robinson - Wikimedia Commons

The people of the United States voted Barack Obama to office on November 4, 2008, making him the first black president in American history. One can walk down the streets of New York and see people of all colors sharing the same schools, restaurants, and hotels. Although this generation is used to seeing equality in America and the thought of segregation does not cross the average Joe’s mind, it was not always like this.

During the 1940's, everything was segregated from bathrooms and water fountains, to schools and professional sports. Although there is still some discrimination in the United States, there are many laws to prevent segregation and there are organizations such as NAACP that are still trying to advance civil rights. Perhaps the most significant figure in the Civil Rights Movement was Jackie Robinson, who paved the way for future athletes and all people of color to be treated equally.

Signed to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, Robinson had to endure much hate and discrimination in Major League Baseball. Despite his incredible talent, baseball fans did not accept him upon entering the league, and neither did some members of his team. The hotels that the Dodgers would stay at while traveling from city to city did not allow blacks. Robinson would have to find places to stay, which would not always be easy to find even in the same part of town. This is a task Robinson had to get used to in addition to being tired from practice, games, and time on the road. If the restaurants that the Dodgers would eat at did not allow blacks, he would have to either find a different restaurant or wait for his teammates to bring him some take-out after they ate.

His opponents also tried to hurt him on the field, from spiking him harder and more often than other players, to picking fights with him, knowing he was not allowed to fight back. Experiencing all these horrendous conditions, Robinson was still able to take the Dodgers to the World Series in his first year.

His incredible talent showed scouts that whites were not the only ones who can play baseball. The fact that he broke the barrier between whites and colored people in MLB contributed greatly to the Civil Rights Movement, not only in sports, but all angles of life.

Remembering Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson - Wikimedia Commons

Jackie Robinson’s battle against racism, segregation, and discrimination for his ten-year baseball career had an impact on America as it is today. Not only was he a role model for the colored athletes to come, but his skills and dedication for baseball made him an extraordinary player.

On October 3rd, 1945 Robinson signed a contract to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers with the help of Brooklyn Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey. This marked a turning point in American history, as Robinson was the first black person to break the racial barriers in baseball set against people of color. When Robinson was going to sign the contract, Rickey wanted a person that was able to take all the hate and racial slurs that were going to be thrown at him during the games. Robinson fit that persona, and knew that in order to set an example for everyone he had to prove that he had the strength to withstand the discriminatory Americans and ball players at the time.

In the beginning of Robinson’s career, he had to face challenges that the rest of his team didn’t have to worry about.In America at that time his skin color did not let him sleep in the same hotels, or even eat at the same restaurants as his teammates. Robinson had to find ways around these problems for multiple years until people became more tolerant and were willing to let people of color use their services. However, all of this did not happen overnight for Robinson, but the extent to which people were segregated in America declined over the span of many years.

Robinson’s battle against baseball’s color barrier paved the road for many people in America. His skills were not the only thing that made him memorable in baseball, but his patience and self control are what showed people that they deserved their rights. Robinson’s impact on America is still relevant today and his influence played a big role not only in baseball, but permanently changed all sports throughout American society.