African-American History Month: Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson (1919-1972)
Jack Roosevelt Robinson

Born Jack Roosevelt Robinson in Cairo Georgia, Jackie Robinson became the first African–American player in the modern major leagues. Nicknamed "Jackie," Robinson grew up in Pasadena, California, where he emerged as a standout athlete in both high school and junior college. He attended the University of California at Los Angeles between 1939 and 1941, and became known as a tremendous talent in not only baseball, but also basketball, football and track.

After leaving college in 1941 to support his mother, Robinson played pro football with the Pacific Coast League's Los Angeles Bulldogs. After serving in World War II, he was discharged as a lieutenant in 1945. In October of 1945, Branch Rickey, the well-known president of the Brooklyn Dodgers, signed Robinson to play for the Montreal Royals. The Royals were a Brooklyn farm club in the International League. Robinson — the first African–American ballplayer in that league — excelled as a second baseman and won the league batting crown.

In 1947 Robinson was brought up to the Brooklyn club — a monumental happening in sports. Up to that point, African Americans had not played in big-league competition. Robinson's exceptional skill helped to quell opposition. He won the National League batting crown in 1949 hitting .342. He was also named the National League's most valuable player. Robinson remained with Brooklyn during his entire career (from 1947 to 1956). During that time he set fielding and batting records and built a reputation for base stealing. Robinson's debut opened the door for other African Americans, who started playing in the major leagues soon after he made the big leagues. In 1962, Robinson became the first African American to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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