Sport: If You Can't Beat Him ...

Even after age thickened his hips and time tired his quick hands, the New York Giants never seemed to know what to do about Jack Roosevelt Robinson. Their pitchers threw baseballs at his greying head and their bench jockeys winged epithets at his quick temper. Still his big bat, or darting base running, broke up ball games. The very sight of his pigeon-toed trot to position moved the fans on Coogan's Bluff to borrow from Yankee territory that ultimate complaint, the long Bronx cheer. Even when taking their lumps from every other team in...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!