Read this excerpt from I Never Had It Made. "It's all that ought to count," he replied. "But it isn't. Maybe one of these days it will be all that counts. That is one of the reasons I've got you here, Robinson. If you're a good enough man, we can make this a start in the right direction. But let me tell you, it's going to take an awful lot of courage." He was back to the crossroads question that made me start to get angry minutes earlier. He asked it slowly and with great care. "Have you got the guts to play the game no matter what happens?" "I think I can play the game, Mr. Rickey," I said. The next few minutes were tough. Branch Rickey had to make absolutely sure that I knew what I would face. Beanballs would be thrown at me. I would be called the kind of names which would hurt and infuriate any man. I would be physically attacked. Could I take all of this and control my temper, remain steadfastly loyal to our ultimate aim? Which is the central idea of this excerpt?

Question

Natalia Maynard

English

16 July, 22:46

Read this excerpt from I Never Had It Made. "It's all that ought to count," he replied. "But it isn't. Maybe one of these days it will be all that counts. That is one of the reasons I've got you here, Robinson. If you're a good enough man, we can make this a start in the right direction. But let me tell you, it's going to take an awful lot of courage." He was back to the crossroads question that made me start to get angry minutes earlier. He asked it slowly and with great care. "Have you got the guts to play the game no matter what happens?" "I think I can play the game, Mr. Rickey," I said. The next few minutes were tough. Branch Rickey had to make absolutely sure that I knew what I would face. Beanballs would be thrown at me. I would be called the kind of names which would hurt and infuriate any man. I would be physically attacked. Could I take all of this and control my temper, remain steadfastly loyal to our ultimate aim? Which is the central idea of this excerpt?

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Answers (2)

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Skyla Hansen · Answer 1

The central idea of this excerpt seems to be the question of whether Robinson is capable of withstanding racism in order to become one of the greatest players ever.

I Never Had It Made is an autobiography by Jackie Robinson, who defied the status quo in 1947 by becoming the first black baseball player in major leagues.

Robinson was used to seeing white men as the enemy and wished to make a stand, to not put up with offenses quietly. Rickey - a sports executive -, however, wanted to hire him to play in the major leagues. But he would only do so if he was certain that Robinson was strong enough to keep his temper under control.

Jayla May · Answer 2

C Rickey expects people to oppose integration.