(January 31, 1919 – October 24, 1972)

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson

 

On April 15, 1997, the 50th anniversary of his Major League debut, baseball retired Jackie Robinson’s number 42 in perpetuity, in recognition of his accomplishments both on and off the playing field.

In 1947, he became the first African-American player in the modern era to break baseball’s color barrier; ending roughly 80 years of baseball apartheid, known politely as the “Gentlemen’s Agreement.” 

A member of six World Series teams, Robinson was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. He earned six consecutive All-Star Game nominations and won several awards during his 11-year major league career, including the Rookie of the Year (1947) and the leagues’ Most Valuable Player Award (1949).

In addition to his accomplishments on the field, Jackie Robinson was a forerunner of the Civil Rights Movement.

We remember him for his determination in overcoming racial prejudice, hatred and for his post-career activities as a Civil Rights mover and shaker. Beyond knowing that Jackie Robinson was one of the greatest players to ever play between the white foul lines, his efforts for equality and social changes in America were known to be Kingly and Gandhiist.

And for those reasons we honor number 42, eternally. 

 

In his autobiography, My Own Story, Robinson recalled a 1946 event as a Montreal Royal, "Syracuse rode me harder than any other city in the circuit. They were tough on me both on the field and in the stands." He went on to recount an incident in which a Chiefs player came out of the dugout holding a black cat and shouted, "Hey Robinson, here's one of your relatives!"

 

What Americans did not know is this cat from Cairo, Georgia had nine lives.  Today the Jackie Robinson Foundation focuses on nine life values:

• Citizenship
• Commitment
• Courage
• Determination
• Excellence
• Integrity
• Justice
• Perseverance
• Teamwork

For scholarship information contact The Jackie Robinson Foundation where “Education is Their Pitch.”

More Information:
Jackie Robinson's Major League Statistics

Jackie Robinson’s Photo Gallery from The Sporting News

The New York Times celebrates the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's Major League Debut

The Library of Congress & Jackie Robinson