Jackie Robinson was an iconic African American professional baseball player He was the first African American to play Major League Baseball (MLB) in the modern era and forever changed the face of professional sports, becoming an enduring symbol of racial equality.
Jackie Robinson was born on January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia. He grew up in a struggling family, and his family relocated several times during his childhood. He attended UCLA and became the first athlete to earn varsity letters in four sports: football, track, basketball, and baseball. In 1942, he turned down an offer to play professional football with the Los Angeles Rams, choosing instead to enlist in the United States Army.
In 1945, Jackie Robinson was discharged from the Army and he joined the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro League. By 1947, he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers, becoming the first African American to play in the major leagues since the 1880s. He faced racism, threats, and intimidation, both on and off the field, but he persevered. That same year, he was named Rookie of the Year, and in 1949 he was named National League MVP.
Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball, paving the way for more African American players to pursue a career in professional sports. Here are five of the best examples of his impact:
1. In 1997, Jackie Robinson was the first professional athlete to be honored with a monument in the United States, a bronze statue at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
2. On April 15th every year, Major League Baseball holds “Jackie Robinson Day” in honor of his accomplishments. All teams and players wear his retired number, 42, for the day.
3. In 2009, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Jackie Robinson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award, for his courage and leadership.
4. As a testament to his impact, in 2019 the Brooklyn Dodgers (now the Los Angeles Dodgers) finally retired his number 42, making him the first baseball player in the MLB to have his number retired across all teams.
5. The Jackie Robinson Foundation continues to honor his legacy and provides scholarships to minority students every year.