Jackie Robinson
On April 15, 1947, Robinson took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers and became the first African American to play Major League Baseball in the modern era, breaking the sport's color barrier. Enduring intense racism, he won Rookie of the Year and changed American sports and society forever.
A Four-Sport Star
Born in Georgia and raised in Pasadena, California, Robinson became UCLA's first athlete to letter in four sports. After serving in the Army during World War II, he played in the Negro leagues for the Kansas City Monarchs.
Breaking the Barrier
Dodgers executive Branch Rickey chose Robinson to integrate baseball, demanding he answer racism with restraint. On April 15, 1947, he debuted at Ebbets Field, facing threats and abuse while excelling to win Rookie of the Year.
A Lasting Legacy
Robinson's courage opened doors far beyond the diamond, making him a civil rights pioneer. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1962, and in 1997 his number 42 was retired throughout all of Major League Baseball.
Career Timeline
- 1939Stars in four sports at UCLA
- 1945Plays Negro leagues for Kansas City Monarchs
- 1947Breaks color barrier; named Rookie of the Year
- 1949Wins NL MVP and the batting title
- 1949Leads the National League in stolen bases
- 1955Wins World Series with the Brooklyn Dodgers
- 1956Plays final MLB season
- 1962First Black player elected to Hall of Fame
- 1972Number 42 retired by Dodgers; dies that year
- 1997Number 42 retired across all of MLB
Biggest Hits
- Before baseball, Robinson was a four-sport star at UCLA, excelling in football, basketball, track, and baseball, his statistically weakest sport at the time.
- His jersey number 42 is retired across all of Major League Baseball, and every April 15 all players wear No. 42 on Jackie Robinson Day.
Portrait: Bob Sandberg, Look magazine (restoration by Adam Cuerden) · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons