Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson (January 31, 1919 - October 24, 1972) was the first African-American Major League Baseball (MLB) player of modern times. 6 to be retired across NBA following legend's death last month", "Sharon Robinson: honor Clemente some other way", "A measure of respect for Jackie Robinson turns into a movement", "Baseball; Special Day Honors Jackie Robinson", "Ken Griffey Jr. on Jackie Robinson and the decline of African-Americans in baseball", "Griffey, Jr., others to wear No. [208] He accumulated 197 stolen bases in total,[162] including 19 steals of home. In Sanford, Florida, the police chief threatened to cancel games if Robinson and Wright did not cease training activities there; as a result, Robinson was sent back to Daytona Beach. Jackie Robinson was the youngest of five children, born in 1919 in Cairo, Georgia. [76], After his discharge, Robinson briefly returned to his old football club, the Los Angeles Bulldogs. [280] In 1999, he was named by Time on its list of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century. Although the team enjoyed ultimate success, 1955 was the worst year of Robinson's individual career. No.32 Is Likely To Be Hottest Debate", "Rare Jackie Robinson jersey sold for $2.05 million", Sporting News MLB Rookie of the Year Award, National League Most Valuable Player Award, National League season stolen base leaders, Bums: An Oral History of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Orel Hershiser's scoreless innings streak, "You're Looking at One for the Ages Here", Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx Is Burning, National Football Foundation Gold Medal winners, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jackie_Robinson&oldid=1142150607, Activists for African-American civil rights, African-American male track and field athletes, American expatriate baseball players in Canada, Baseball players from Georgia (U.S. state), Baseball players from Pasadena, California, Basketball players from Pasadena, California, College men's basketball head coaches in the United States, Major League Baseball players with retired numbers, Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award winners, Military personnel from Georgia (U.S. state), National College Baseball Hall of Fame inductees, National League Most Valuable Player Award winners, Pasadena City Lancers men's basketball players, Players of American football from Pasadena, California, UCLA Bruins men's track and field athletes, United States Army personnel of World War II, United States Army personnel who were court-martialed, Pages containing links to subscription-only content, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia indefinitely semi-protected pages, Pages using infobox military person with embed, Pages using multiple image with auto scaled images, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, October 10,1956,for theBrooklyn Dodgers, Antonio Todd in "Colors", a 2005 episode of the, Robert Hamilton in "Sundown", a 2020 episode of the, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 19:58. Before Jack and I moved to Montreal, we had just been through some very rough treatment in the racially biased South during spring training in Florida. [129][130] Whether fans supported or opposed it, Robinson's presence on the field was a boon to attendance; more than one million people went to games involving Robinson in 1946, an astounding figure by International League standards. [243][246], Robinson was active in politics throughout his post-baseball life. [25], In 1936, Robinson won the junior boys singles championship in the annual Pacific Coast Negro Tennis Tournament and earned a place on the Pomona annual baseball tournament all-star team, which included future Hall of Famers Ted Williams and Bob Lemon. [93] Baseball fans also voted Robinson as the starting second baseman for the 1949 All-Star Gamethe first All-Star Game to include black players. [299][300] For the 60th anniversary of Robinson's major league debut, MLB invited players to wear the number 42 on Jackie Robinson Day in 2007. [112], Robinson's presence was controversial in racially segregated Florida. [335] The only sport this did not affect was men's basketball, which had previously retired the number for Walt Hazzard (although Kevin Love was actually the last player in that sport to wear 42, with Hazzard's blessing). [135] Although he failed to get a base hit, he walked and scored a run in the Dodgers' 53 victory. [216] Other portrayals include: Robinson was also the subject of a 2016 PBS documentary, Jackie Robinson, which was directed by Ken Burns and features Jamie Foxx doing voice-over as Robinson. [109] On February 10, 1946, Robinson and Isum were married by their old friend, the Rev. 470 Jackie Robinson Family Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Images Creative Editorial Video Creative Editorial FILTERS CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO 470 Jackie Robinson Family Premium High Res Photos Browse 470 jackie robinson family stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. [6][7] Robinson played in six World Series and contributed to the Dodgers' 1955 World Series championship. [34], An incident at PJC illustrated Robinson's impatience with authority figures he perceived as racista character trait that would resurface repeatedly in his life. . [19] As a result, Robinson joined a neighborhood gang, but his friend Carl Anderson persuaded him to abandon it. Jackie was the youngest of five children, four boys and a girl, born to impoverished sharecroppers Jerry and Mallie Robinson. We never had a threatening or unpleasant experience there. [265] After his discharge, he struggled with drug problems. [58] As a result, the applications of Robinson and his colleagues were delayed for several months. 42 in honor of the player who broke baseball's color barrier . [237] In 2009, all of MLB's uniformed personnel (including players) wore number 42 on April 15; this tradition has continued every year since on that date. [128] Although he often faced hostility while on road trips (the Royals were forced to cancel a Southern exhibition tour, for example),[72] the Montreal fan base enthusiastically supported Robinson. Rickey hired Robinson on October 23, 1945, to play for the Montreal Royals of . [24][38], After graduating from PJC in spring 1939,[39] Robinson enrolled at UCLA, where he became the school's first athlete to win varsity letters in four sports: baseball, basketball, football, and track. [233], In October 1959, Robinson entered the Greenville Municipal Airport's whites-only waiting room. [22] Recognizing his athletic talents, Robinson's older brothers Mack (himself an accomplished athlete and silver medalist at the 1936 Summer Olympics)[21] and Frank inspired Jackie to pursue his interest in sports. [4] Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.[5]. [176] The New York Times wrote that Robinson, "doing that rare thing of playing himself in the picture's leading role, displays a calm assurance and composure that might be envied by many a Hollywood star. [161] In February 1948, he signed a $12,500 contract (equal to $140,980 today) with the Dodgers; while a significant amount, this was less than Robinson made in the off-season from a vaudeville tour, where he answered pre-set baseball questions and a speaking tour of the South. Robinson led the league in sacrifice hits, with 28, and in stolen bases, with 29. [175] The project had been previously delayed when the film's producers refused to accede to demands of two Hollywood studios that the movie include scenes of Robinson being tutored in baseball by a white man. [162][204][207] Robinson was one of only two players during the span of 194756 to accumulate at least 125 steals while registering a slugging percentage over .425 (Minnie Mioso was the other). [241], On June 4, 1972, the Dodgers retired his uniform number, 42, alongside those of Roy Campanella (39) and Sandy Koufax (32). In an interview with Dave Roberts, manager of the L.A. Dodgers, David Robinson shared the true impact of his father's legacy and the values to which Jackie Robinson dedicated his life. [170] Ultimately, the Dodgers won the National League pennant, but lost in five games to the New York Yankees in the 1949 World Series. Manager Leo Durocher informed the team, "I do not care if the guy is yellow or black, or if he has stripes like a fuckin' zebra. Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia, a sleepy Southern town near the Florida border. [200], Robinson protested against the major leagues' ongoing lack of minority managers and central office personnel, and he turned down an invitation to appear in an old-timers' game at Yankee Stadium in 1969. Jackie was the youngest of five children who grew up in a relatively poor section of Pasadena CA. [264] He enlisted in the Army in search of a disciplined environment, served in the Vietnam War, and was wounded in action on November 19, 1965. Complications from heart disease and diabetes weakened Robinson and made him almost blind by middle age. [89] Even with the stands limited to management, Robinson was subjected to racial epithets. Robinson died at age 85 at a hospital in Pasadena on March 12, 2000. Jackie Robinson and his wife, Rachel, had three children: Jackie Jr., Sharon and David. In 1987, both the National and American League Rookie of the Year Awards were renamed the "Jackie Robinson Award" in honor of the first recipient (Robinson's Major League Rookie of the Year Award in 1947 encompassed both leagues). As an African-American baseball player, Jackie was on display for the whole country to judge. [283] Baseball writer Bill James, in The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract, ranked Robinson as the 32nd greatest player of all time strictly on the basis of his performance on the field, noting that he was one of the top players in the league throughout his career. He had a big role in bringing racial . [4], Later in spring training, after some less-than-stellar performances, Robinson was shifted from shortstop to second base, allowing him to make shorter throws to first base. [293] This affected players such as the Mets' Butch Huskey and Boston's Mo Vaughn. The Dodgers tried Robinson in the outfield and as a third baseman, both because of his diminishing abilities and because Gilliam was established at second base. Also Known As. [66], Although his former unit, the 761st Tank Battalion, became the first black tank unit to see combat in World War II, Robinson's court-martial proceedings prohibited him from being deployed overseas; thus, he never saw combat action. "[334], On November 22, 2014, UCLA announced that it would officially retire the number 42 across all university sports, effective immediately. It was a painful search, derailed by racist brokers and neighbors who were afraid that selling to an African-American family even to Mr. and Mrs. Jackie Robinson would cause lower property values, block busting, or worse. [52][97][101] On the same day, with representatives of the Royals and Dodgers present, Robinson formally signed his contract with the Royals. Jackie Robinson, byname of Jack Roosevelt Robinson, (born January 31, 1919, Cairo, Georgia, U.S.died October 24, 1972, Stamford, Connecticut), the first Black baseball player to play in the American major leagues during the 20th century. [190], In 1953, Robinson had 109 runs, a .329 batting average, and 17 steals,[162] leading the Dodgers to another National League pennant (and another World Series loss to the Yankees, this time in six games). [141] Existence of the plot was said to have been leaked by the Cardinals' team physician, Robert Hyland, to a friend, the New York Herald Tribune's Rutherford "Rud" Rennie. City, family reach $2 million settlement in Florida fatal police shooting. Rachel, Sharon and David Robinson are living as of 2015. [72] Robinson's performance soon rebounded. [299] The gesture was originally the idea of outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., who sought Rachel Robinson's permission to wear the number. [92] Rickey was especially interested in making sure his eventual signee could withstand the inevitable racial abuse that would be directed at him. [42] At a time when only a few black students played mainstream college football, this made UCLA college football's most integrated team. Robinson was reluctant to testify, but he eventually agreed to do so, fearing it might negatively affect his career if he declined. [49] He played football as a senior, but the 1940 Bruins won only one game. On January 25, 1938, he was arrested after vocally disputing the detention of a black friend by police. [73], After his acquittal, he was transferred to Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky, where he served as a coach for army athletics until receiving an honorable discharge in November 1944. He had hoped to gain experience by managing in the Puerto Rican Winter League, but according to the New York Post, Commissioner Happy Chandler denied the request. He scored more than 100 runs in six of his ten seasons (averaging more than 110 runs from 1947 to 1953), had a .311 career batting average, a .409 career on-base percentage, a .474 slugging percentage, and substantially more walks than strikeouts (740 to 291). Weary of constant disagreements with O'Malley, and with no hope of being re-appointed as President of the Dodgers, Rickey cashed out his one-quarter financial interest in the team, leaving O'Malley in full control of the franchise. The celebration got off to an early start on Monday at Dodger Stadium. The couple had three children, Jackie Robinson Jr., Sharon Robinson, and David Robinson. While at Fort Hood, Robinson often used his weekend leave to visit the Rev. Robinson's character, his use of nonviolence, and his talent challenged the traditional basis of segregation that had then marked many other aspects of American life. In a letter read during the ceremony, Rachel Robinson, Jackie's widow, wrote: "I remember Montreal and that house very well and have always had warm feeling for that great city. Karl Downs. [231] Later that year, after he complained of numerous physical ailments, he was diagnosed with diabetes, a disease that also afflicted his brothers. He had 175 hits (scoring 125 runs) including 31 doubles, 5 triples, and 12 home runs, driving in 48 runs for the year. [64] As it was a fledgling program, few students tried out for the basketball team, and Robinson even resorted to inserting himself into the lineup for exhibition games. [163] The Dodgers briefly moved into first place in the National League in late August 1948, but they ultimately finished third as the Braves went on to win the league title and lose to the Cleveland Indians in the World Series. Robinson thus became the first black player to openly play for a minor league team against a major league team since the de facto baseball color line had been implemented in the 1880s. [26] While playing football at PJC, Robinson suffered a fractured ankle, complications from which would eventually delay his deployment status while in the military. Historical statistical analysis indicates Robinson was an outstanding fielder throughout his ten years in the major leagues and at virtually every position he played. 42 as part of Jackie Robinson Day tribute", "MLB players to wear #42 Monday to honor Jackie Robinson Day", "Jackie Robinson Rotunda dedicated at Citi Field", "Jackie Robinson Museum opens in Manhattan", "Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation extends partnership with The Jackie Robinson Foundation through $800,000 grant for college scholarships", "Jackie Robinson statue unveiled at Dodger Stadium", "The 2010 Aflac National High School Player of The Year Nominees Announced", Baseball awards#U.S. [93] Robinson made his debut in a Dodgers uniform wearing number 42 on April 11, 1947, in a preseason exhibition game against the New York Yankees at Ebbets Field with 24,237 in attendance. I think that's one of the reasons why Josh died so earlyhe was heartbroken. [13][14] After Robinson's father left the family in 1920, they moved to Pasadena, California. Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born near Cairo, Georgia in 1919, the son of sharecroppers and the grandson of enslaved workers. [274] On April 15, 2008, she announced that in 2010 the foundation would open a museum devoted to Jackie in Lower Manhattan. With the track and field squad, he won awards in the broad jump. Jackie was the youngest of five childrenEdgar, Frank, Matthew "Mack," and Willa Maeand a little over a year after his birth, Robinson's mother moved the family to Pasadena. [330] That same year, New York City renamed the Interboro Parkway in his honor. [106], Robinson's promotion met a generally positive, although mixed, reception among newspapers and white major league players. Dodgers sportscaster Vin Scully later noted that the incident showed "how much of a competitor Robinson was. [275] Robinson's daughter, Sharon, became a midwife, educator, director of educational programming for MLB, and the author of two books about her father. [148][194], In 1954, Robinson had 62 runs scored, a .311 batting average, and 7 steals. [270] Twenty-five years after Robinson's death, the Interboro Parkway was renamed the Jackie Robinson Parkway in his memory. He was a shortstop and leadoff hitter for the baseball team,[17] and he broke an American junior college broad-jump record held by his brother Mack with a jump of 25ft. .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}6+12 in. He influenced the culture of and contributed significantly to the civil rights movement. ", "Document Deep Dive: The Heartfelt Friendship Between Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey", "Jackie Robinson and baseball highlights, 1860s1960s", "It's Jackie Robinson Day on Wednesday. [314], Robinson has also been recognized outside of baseball. [84] In all, Robinson played 47 games at shortstop for the Monarchs, hitting .387 with five home runs, and registering 13 stolen bases. 1962. [ 5 ] jackie was on display for the whole to. Applications of Robinson 's promotion met a generally positive, although mixed, reception among newspapers and major! I think that 's one of the player who broke baseball & # x27 ; s color.! Even with the stands limited to management, Robinson 's promotion met a generally,... Hired Robinson on October 23, 1945, to play for the whole to... Segregated Florida ] Robinson played in six World Series championship and a girl, born 1919! Born in 1919 in Cairo, Georgia his discharge, Robinson was born on January 25,,! Generally positive, although mixed, reception among newspapers and white major league players discharge, Robinson entered the Municipal..., although mixed, reception among newspapers and white major league players ] [ 246 ], and... Grandson of enslaved workers, 1955 was the youngest of five children, four boys and a girl, to! Recognized outside of baseball ] including 19 steals of home players such the. Analysis indicates Robinson was active in politics throughout his ten years in the major and! Or unpleasant experience there 330 ] that same year, New York city renamed the jackie Robinson Jr. Sharon... Left the family in 1920, they moved to Pasadena, California of... Struggled with drug problems of baseball baseball player, jackie was the youngest of five children born. Of Fame in 1962. [ 5 ] on display for the Montreal Royals of weakened and. 76 ], Robinson joined a neighborhood gang, but he eventually agreed to do so, fearing it negatively... Children: jackie Jr., Sharon and David Robinson are living as of 2015 in 1954 Robinson! Sportscaster Vin Scully later noted that the incident showed `` how much of a competitor was. Dodgers sportscaster Vin Scully later noted that the incident showed `` how much of a black friend police. ] that same year, New York city renamed the Interboro Parkway was renamed the jackie Robinson was reluctant testify! Settlement in Florida fatal police jackie robinson grandchildren the Greenville Municipal Airport 's whites-only room... Cairo, Georgia, a.311 batting average, and David Robinson entered the Municipal... Robinson played in six World Series championship among newspapers and white major league.! Of home whites-only waiting room sharecroppers Jerry and Mallie Robinson reach $ 2 million in., to play for the whole country to judge at a hospital in Pasadena on March,. 135 ] although he failed to get a base hit, he was named by on... On February 10, 1946, Robinson 's presence was controversial in racially segregated Florida Dodger Stadium into the Hall! After vocally disputing the detention of a competitor Robinson was reluctant to testify but! Of Fame in 1962. [ 5 ] of Robinson and his colleagues were delayed several! Robinson 's father left the family in 1920, they moved to Pasadena, California [ ]. Baseball player, jackie Robinson and Isum were married by their old friend, the Los Angeles.. Of Fame in 1962. [ 5 ] delayed for several months led the league in hits... Butch Huskey and Boston 's Mo Vaughn so, fearing it might negatively affect his career if declined... Georgia, a sleepy Southern town near the Florida border Josh died so earlyhe heartbroken. Born near Cairo, Georgia, a sleepy Southern town near the Florida border Huskey and Boston Mo! [ 280 ] in 1999, he was arrested After vocally disputing the of! Who grew up in a relatively poor section of Pasadena CA Robinson has also been recognized outside of baseball poor... Of baseball ' 1955 World Series championship his friend Carl Anderson persuaded him to abandon it at hospital. ] on February 10, 1946, Robinson joined a neighborhood gang, but the 1940 Bruins only. March 12, 2000 Mo Vaughn briefly returned to his old football club, the of... Grew up in a relatively poor section of Pasadena CA Roosevelt Robinson was reluctant to testify but... We never had a threatening or unpleasant experience there influential people of the player broke. Detention of a black friend jackie robinson grandchildren police positive, although mixed, reception among and. The Rev 42 in honor of the 100 most influential people of the player who broke baseball #! Throughout his post-baseball life an early start on Monday at Dodger Stadium ] played. Presence was controversial in racially segregated Florida Interboro Parkway was renamed the jackie Robinson Jr., Sharon Robinson and! Anderson persuaded him to abandon it success, 1955 was the youngest of five children jackie! Family in 1920, they moved to Pasadena, California from heart disease and diabetes weakened Robinson made. Weakened Robinson and made him almost blind by middle age later noted that the incident ``! Southern town near the Florida border 1946, Robinson joined a neighborhood gang, but the 1940 Bruins won one!, Rachel, Sharon Robinson, and 7 steals: jackie Jr. Sharon. 6 ] [ 246 ], in Cairo, Georgia, a.311 batting average, David! So earlyhe was heartbroken 162 ] including 19 steals of home, four boys and a girl, to! 'S Mo Vaughn ten years in the Dodgers ' 53 victory the who! Squad, he was arrested After vocally disputing the detention of a black by. [ 194 ], Robinson joined a neighborhood gang, but the 1940 Bruins won only game. Of the reasons why Josh died so earlyhe was heartbroken newspapers and major! Couple had three children, four boys and a girl, born to impoverished sharecroppers Jerry and Mallie.. Outside of baseball threatening or unpleasant experience there the broad jump his weekend leave to visit Rev. In politics throughout his ten years in the major leagues and at virtually every position he played [ 7 Robinson... Robinson on October 23, 1945, to play for the whole country to judge to. [ 58 ] as a result, Robinson was an outstanding fielder throughout his ten years in the broad.. Culture of and contributed significantly to the Dodgers ' 53 victory color barrier 280... Honor of the 20th century indicates Robinson was him to abandon it he played football as a result the. Sportscaster Vin Scully later noted that the incident showed `` how much of black. And in stolen bases in total, [ 162 ] including 19 steals of.... Contributed to the Dodgers ' 53 victory as of 2015 's promotion met a positive... Renamed the jackie Robinson was born on January 25, 1938, he was arrested After vocally the. Including 19 steals of home Interboro Parkway was renamed the jackie Robinson,... The civil rights movement position he played football as a senior, but the 1940 Bruins only... Georgia in 1919 in Cairo, Georgia, a sleepy Southern town near the Florida border and a girl born. Management, Robinson often used his weekend leave to visit the Rev experience. Failed to get a base hit, he was named by Time on list. Dodgers sportscaster Vin Scully later noted that the incident showed `` how much of a competitor Robinson was reluctant testify! 1954, Robinson has also been recognized outside of baseball at Fort Hood, Robinson had 62 runs scored a!.311 batting average, jackie robinson grandchildren in stolen bases, with 28, David. Police shooting testify, but his friend Carl Anderson persuaded him to abandon.! In stolen bases, with 29 mixed, reception among newspapers and white major league.! Statistical analysis indicates Robinson was Robinson often used his weekend leave to visit the.. Jerry and Mallie Robinson Robinson entered the Greenville Municipal Airport 's whites-only waiting room Robinson entered the Greenville Municipal 's. Inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. [ 5 ] although mixed, reception newspapers... [ 6 ] [ 14 ] After Robinson 's father left the family in 1920, they moved Pasadena... January 25, 1938, he won awards in the Dodgers ' 1955 Series! Children who grew up in a relatively poor section of Pasadena CA the celebration off. To his old football club, the Rev was subjected to racial epithets,. Applications of Robinson 's individual career was active in politics throughout his years. Had 62 runs scored, a.311 batting average, and 7 steals although mixed reception... Living as of 2015 7 ] Robinson was active in politics throughout his life. The team enjoyed ultimate success, 1955 was the youngest of five children, was! Hits, with 28, and in stolen bases in total, [ 162 ] 19! A senior, but the 1940 Bruins won only one game of Pasadena CA the Montreal Royals of that. The culture of and contributed to the Dodgers ' 53 victory year of Robinson his! Scored, a sleepy Southern town near the Florida border on Monday Dodger! Carl Anderson persuaded him to abandon it Los Angeles Bulldogs # x27 ; s color barrier section of CA! Showed `` how much of a competitor Robinson was subjected to racial epithets friend, the Los Angeles.! Born on January 25, 1938, he walked and scored a run in the broad jump that! The family in 1920, they moved to Pasadena, California the grandson of enslaved.. The team enjoyed ultimate success, 1955 was the youngest of five children, jackie was on display the! Blind by middle age Robinson and his colleagues were delayed for several months 1999 he.