Jackie Robinson didn't just play baseball, he changed the way people watch and play the wonderful sport of baseball. Jackie Robinson was an admiration to many because he was very courageous and was a great baseball player. Although Robinson was a great man and player, nothing came easy for Robinson. There was a lot to like about the admirable African-American baseball player, even if some people hated him. Jackie Robinson's life begins as a rather modest childhood and increases and becomes funnier as he grows into his later years. Jackie Robinson was truly an admirable person who people still admire today for what he had done not only for himself, but for others as well. Jackie Robinson had a difficult childhood, but he tried to make the most of what little he had, which is very admirable. Jackie Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31, 1919. Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia (Mara 4). Robinson was the son of mother, Mallie, and father, Jerry Robinson. Jerry worked for a very low wage and could hardly support his family (Adler 1). Robinson's father ran away when he was only four years old (Frick 3). Robinson was the youngest of five children and his siblings were Matthew, Frank, Willa Mae and Edgar. Their parents and grandparents were both slaves and sharecroppers (Adler 1). When Jackie was only four years old her family, except her father, moved to Pasadena, California, where Mallie's brother Burton McGriff (Frick 4) lived. The Robinsons were the only black family on Pepper Street (Frick 6). Her family was looking for a better life because they were paid very little for the work they did (“Jackie” 2). The Robinsons took care of many issues in Pasadena because they were... the center of the paper... the influence for all the people. Robinson went on to host a radio show, starred in a movie about his life, spoke out about civil rights and helped catapult the civil rights movement, and was vice president of Chock Full-O-Nuts (Ford 26) . Additionally, Robinson sought black empowerment (Kindred 94). Unfortunately, Robinson died of a heart attack and was only 53 years old (Mara 27). Thanks to Robinson, blacks can play in the MLB (Mara 29). Robinson's number 42 is retired, meaning it cannot be worn by any other player (Ford 28). After his death, Robinson received some awards. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1984 and a Congressional Gold Medal in 2005 (Ford 29). Robinson once said, “A life is not important except by the impact it has on other lives” (Ford 26). Even after playing baseball he was and still is a hero and role model admired by many.