Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson was an American professional baseball player, born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia. He is universally recognized as one of the greatest baseball players of all time and is most famous for breaking Major League Baseball's color barrier. Robinson began his professional career with the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Leagues before moving to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, where he made history and became an icon of American civil rights.

Robinson was known for his exceptional speed, skill, and defensive ability. He won the inaugural MLB Rookie of the Year Award, was an All-Star for six consecutive seasons from 1949 through 1954, and won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1949.

Off the field, Robinson was an active participant in the Civil Rights Movement, using his influence to challenge racial segregation and discrimination.

Kansas City Monarchs

• Early Career: Robinson began his professional career in 1945 playing for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Leagues.

Brooklyn Dodgers

• Breaking the Color Barrier: Robinson made his Major League debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, becoming the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era.
• Success and Impact: During his decade-long career with the Dodgers, Robinson was instrumental in leading the team to six World Series, winning the championship in 1955. He was recognized as one of the sport's best players, earning numerous accolades.

Not Applicable

• Robinson's career was entirely within the United States and he was not involved in any international competitions.

• Position: Primarily a second baseman, but also demonstrated versatility by playing at first base, third base, and outfield positions during his career.
• Skills: Known for his exceptional speed, skill at batting, defensive prowess, and groundbreaking base stealing tactics.

• Family: Robinson was married to Rachel Isum and had three children. His son, Jackie Robinson Jr., served in the Vietnam War and struggled with drug addiction upon his return, tragically dying in a car accident in 1971.
• Civil Rights: Beyond his sporting career, Robinson was actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement and used his status to challenge racial segregation and discrimination.

• Jackie Robinson is celebrated not only for his extraordinary talent and achievements in baseball, but also for his role in breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball. His courage, determination, and commitment to equality have made him an enduring icon of American history.

Most Valuable Player Award:

• Winner in 1949

Rookie of the Year:

• Winner in 1947

All-Star Selections:

• Six-time selection from 1949 to 1954

Hall of Fame Induction:

• Inducted in 1962

Books

• Rampersad, A. (1997) Jackie Robinson: A Biography. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
• Robinson, S. (1996) Jackie Robinson: An Intimate Portrait. New York: Harry N. Abrams.

Websites

• MLB: Information about Jackie Robinson’s career and achievements. Available at: https://www.mlb.com
• Baseball Hall of Fame: Details about Robinson’s career and Hall of Fame induction. Available at: https://www.baseballhall.org

Articles

• ESPN: Jackie Robinson: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/17452/jackie-robinson
• The New York Times: Jackie Robinson’s career highlights and impact. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/topic/person/jackie-robinson

Documentaries

• Ken Burns' Baseball: The story of Jackie Robinson. This documentary provides a detailed look at Robinson’s life and career.
• ESPN's 30 for 30: The Day the Series Stopped. This documentary covers the 1989 World Series, which was interrupted by a major earthquake. Robinson's role in baseball history is discussed in the context of this event.