Jackie Robinson was a professional baseball player who is best known for breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball (MLB) by becoming the first African American to play in the league. He was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia, and was the fifth of five children of Jerry and Mallie Robinson. His father was a sharecropper and his mother worked as a maid.
Robinson grew up in a segregated society and experienced firsthand the racism and discrimination that was prevalent in the United States during this time. Despite this, he excelled in athletics from a young age and participated in track, football, basketball, and baseball while attending John Muir High School in Pasadena, California. After graduating, he attended Pasadena Junior College, where he continued to excel in athletics and received a scholarship to attend the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
At UCLA, Robinson became the first student-athlete to win varsity letters in four sports: baseball, basketball, football, and track. He was also the first UCLA athlete to earn All-American honors in football. After completing his studies at UCLA, Robinson was drafted into the military and served during World War II.
After the war, Robinson returned to baseball and played for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League, a professional league for African American players that was not affiliated with MLB. In 1947, Brooklyn Dodgers executive Branch Rickey signed Robinson to a contract to play for the Dodgers' minor league team, the Montreal Royals. This marked the first time an African American had played for a team affiliated with MLB.
Robinson's signing was met with resistance from other teams and players in the league, who were opposed to the integration of baseball. Despite this, Robinson excelled on the field and was promoted to the Dodgers' major league team in April 1947. He made his MLB debut on April 15, 1947, and played for the Dodgers until 1956.
During his time with the Dodgers, Robinson became a trailblazer for civil rights and helped to pave the way for other African American players to join the league. He was a seven-time All-Star, won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1949, and helped lead the Dodgers to six World Series appearances.
After retiring from baseball, Robinson became involved in various business and civic ventures, including serving as the first African American vice president of a major American corporation. He also became an advocate for civil rights and worked to promote equal opportunities for African Americans in all aspects of society.
Jackie Robinson's impact on baseball and society was significant and enduring. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game and his legacy continues to inspire and influence athletes and people around the world. In 1997, MLB retired his jersey number, 42, in honor of his contributions to the game and to civil rights.
