Our national pastime hasn't always been for everyone. Baseball was for white people until a historic man made history who would change baseball forever. This man was Jackie Robinson. He impacted my life in many different ways. Some people only know him for breaking the color barrier in baseball, but what some people don't know is the struggle it took to get there. Jackie Robinson was one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century and showed me how to face tough times and overcome difficulties. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay Jackie's accomplishments were tremendous and should never be forgotten. To this day, his number 42 is retired by all major league teams. He showed me that if you work hard enough, people will recognize your accomplishments. I also learned that being different helped him become the man he is today. I have always faced difficulties in my life and found one way or another to overcome them. When Jackie Robinson finally joined the MLB, the struggles didn't stop there for him. He received death threats and other horrible acts against him. Even though all this happened to him, he endured it and continued to play. It showed me how important it is to continue doing something important even if others disagree. This has also affected me when playing baseball, because if something doesn't work for me, I persist and I don't give up, no matter the circumstances. Not only was being an African American difficult enough for Jackie, but it is also extremely difficult to be considered for playing in the MLB. Not only was he the first African American to enter the MLB, but he also had incredible stats when he played. He showed me how hard dedication can pay off. I overcame difficulties in my daily life, such as school, sports and other areas. I can take so much from Jackie's life and apply it to mine. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, Jackie made an impact on my life and showed a lot of life lessons that I can apply to my life to this day. He was an icon of the 20th century and taught me not to give up and to overcome difficulties. I think Jackie can influence many people's lives in this era. He surely gave me a new outlook on life and taught me that if I work hard at something, I might be recognized as something great..