Jackie Robinson (1944-1956)
Jack Roosevelt “Jackie” Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia in 1919. While Robinson’s career in the Negro Leagues lasted only one year, he played one of the most important roles in Negro League baseball history. Jackie Robinson was selected by Branch Rickey in 1945 as the player to break the color barrier and integrate Major League baseball.
Robinson attended John Muir Technical High School in California where he was a four sport letterman in baseball, football, basketball and track. He carried his athletic skills to Pasadena Junior College and then to UCLA where he was an All American in all four sports. Following his graduation from college, Robinson served as an officer in the United States Army.
When Robinson got out of the Army he signed with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro American League. Robinson performed well for the Monarchs in his first season. He hit .345 and made exciting plays on the field with his base running and defensive skills.
Jackie Robinson - 1945 Kansas City Monarchs
His career in the Negro Leagues would last only one season. Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers chose Jackie Robinson as the player to integrate Major League baseball. Robinson was signed by Rickey in the winter of 1945. Robinson’s first step to the Major Leagues was a trip with the American All Stars for a barnstorming tour to Venezuela. Robinson spent the 1946 season with the Montreal Royals of the International League. The next year, Robinson made the Brooklyn Dodgers starting lineup and won the National League Rookie of the Year. Jackie played ten seasons from 1947-1956 with Brooklyn. In the off season, Jackie had his own barnstorming team named the Jackie Robinson All-Stars and toured all over the country. Robinson retired from baseball in 1957.
Jackie Robinson - 1945 Kansas City Monarchs
Robinson was known on the field for his hustle, playmaking, exciting base running, clutch hitting and dedication to the game.
During Jackie Robinson’s career with the Brooklyn Dodgers his career statistics were:
Seasons Games At bats Hits Runs 2B 3B HR RBI Average Slugging Avg.
10 1382 4877 1518 947 273 54 137 734 .311 .474
Highlights of Jackie Robinson’s professional baseball career are:
- Player that integrated “white” Major League baseball
- Negro League All-Star team - 1945
- International League Batting Title – 1946 (.349 batting average)
- National League Rookie of Year - 1947
- National League Most Valuable Player Award - 1949
- Six time selection to National League All-Star team
Jackie Robinson - Brooklyn Dodgers (1947-1956)
Jackie Robinson was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.
Center for Negro League Baseball Research
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