Satchel Paige laid the groundwork for Jackie Robinson because, although Robinson was signed on to play Major League Baseball before Paige, Paige had been noticed on a national level for his pitching skills for decades before Robinson was signed on. Satchel Paige gained attention and showed a national platform that African-American players were just as talented and valuable to the world of baseball than their White counterparts. This mindset is a portion of what helped Jackie Robinson gain national respect and attention as well.
