Jackie's first spring training was not impressive. No doubt the overwhelming scrutiny, a sore arm, a new marriage, and unpleasant racist experiences, were justifiable distractions. Laws forbidding integrated sporting events in Indiana, rumors of race riots, verbal and physical threats, temporarily benched Robinson and silenced his bat. But, ultimately his athletic ability softened the roar of his critics.

On April 18, 1946 in a crowded Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City, Jackie Robinson became the first Black athlete to play for a minor league team. With an impressive hitting display: a three run homerun, a solid single, two bunt singles, and speed that led to 2 stolen bases and two balks home, the rookie second baseman and the Montreal Royals beat the hometown Giants 14 -1.

For Jackie and his wife Rachel, Montreal was a pleasant experience and radically contrasted the racist hostility they experienced in the U.S. The intensity of the scrutiny was not as severe for Jackie and his family and Montreal was a welcomed retreat.

However, the Robinsons were an exception. Canada remains the "promised land," the "north star" that served as a beacon for the fugitive slaves hoping for freedom. But, Canada also enslaved blacks and native peoples and later practiced Jim Crow policies similar to southern states.