Jackie Robinson: The Man Who Changed Baseball

Young Jackie loved playing stickball on the dusty Pasadena streets. With his worn leather glove, he ran happily under the warm sun.

One afternoon, some boys shouted cruel words and chased him away. Jackie clutched his glove, trying hard not to cry.

Jackie walked home with a heavy heart, but his mother Mallie was waiting. She knelt down and gently wiped away his tears.

Mallie held his hands, her voice steady and warm. She told him that the best way to defeat cruelty was with excellence and grace.

Jackie held onto her words as he looked out the window. Outside, the dusty field seemed to wait for him under the golden sun.

The next morning, the other boys gathered on the dusty field, laughing and shouting as they started their game.

Jackie stepped back onto the field with his head held high. He squeezed his glove, remembering his mother's wise words.

The ball flew through the air, spinning fast and true toward home plate where everyone watched.

With a sharp crack, Jackie swung his stick and sent the ball flying high into the deep blue sky.

The other boys watched in absolute silence as the ball soared far over their heads and landed past the fence.

From the sidelines, Mallie smiled with pride. Her boy had shown them all that excellence and grace were the most powerful answers of all.

Jackie ran to his mother with a proud smile, ready to carry her lesson of excellence all the way to the major leagues.