# Jackie Robinson > American baseball player (1919–1972) **Wikidata**: [Q221048](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q221048) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Robinson) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jackie-robinson ## Summary Jackie Robinson (1919–1972) was an American baseball player who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball by becoming the first African American to play in the modern MLB era. His historic debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945 ended decades of racial segregation in professional baseball and made him an iconic figure in the civil rights movement. Beyond baseball, Robinson served as a basketball coach, athletics competitor, military officer, and later as a business executive and civil rights activist. ## Biography - **Born**: January 31, 1919 - **Died**: October 24, 1972 - **Nationality**: American - **Education**: Pasadena City College; University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - **Known for**: Breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball; civil rights activism - **Employer(s)**: Brooklyn Dodgers (1945–1956); Chock full o'Nuts (as vice president) - **Field(s)**: Baseball; basketball coaching; athletics; military; business ## Contributions Jackie Robinson's primary contribution was breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947, ending 60 years of segregation in the sport. His debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, was a watershed moment in American sports and civil rights history. Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1945 to 1956, earning numerous accolades including the National League MVP Award in 1949 and six World Series appearances. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. Beyond his playing career, Robinson worked as a vice president at Chock full o'Nuts, becoming one of the first African Americans to hold a corporate executive position at a major American company. He also served as a basketball coach at UCLA and was an accomplished athletics competitor in track and field. ## FAQs **What made Jackie Robinson historically significant?** Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947, becoming the first African American to play in the modern MLB era after decades of segregation. His courage in facing racial abuse while performing at an elite level made him a symbol of the civil rights movement. **What awards did Jackie Robinson receive?** Robinson received numerous prestigious awards including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, the National League MVP Award (1949), Rookie of the Year (1947), and induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame (1962). He also received the Spingarn Medal, the highest achievement award for African Americans. **What teams did Jackie Robinson play for?** Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1945 to 1956. Before joining the Dodgers, he played for the Montreal Royals, the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate, where he helped lead the team to the International League championship in 1946. **What was Jackie Robinson's career after baseball?** After retiring from baseball in 1956, Robinson became a vice president at Chock full o'Nuts, becoming one of the first African Americans to hold an executive position at a major American corporation. He remained active in civil rights advocacy and business until his death in 1972. **What is Jackie Robinson's legacy?** Robinson's legacy extends far beyond baseball. He is credited with paving the way for integration in professional sports and becoming a powerful voice for civil rights. His number, 42, was retired across all of MLB in 1997, and he is remembered as one of the most influential athletes and activists in American history. ## Notable For - First African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era (1947) - National League MVP Award winner (1949) - Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year (1947) - Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame (1962) - Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom - Recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal - Number 42 retired across all of MLB (1997) - First African American vice president at a major American corporation (Chock full o'Nuts) - Recipient of the Spingarn Medal ## Body ### Early Life and Education Jackie Robinson was born Jack Roosevelt Robinson on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia. He was the youngest of five children born to sharecroppers. His mother, Mallie Robinson, moved the family to Pasadena, California in 1920. Robinson attended John Muir High School in Pasadena where he excelled in multiple sports, including football, basketball, baseball, and track. He attended Pasadena City College before transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1939, becoming the first African American athlete to letter in four sports at UCLA. At UCLA, Robinson was a standout in baseball, basketball, and track, demonstrating the athletic versatility that would define his athletic career. ### Military Service Prior to his baseball career, Robinson served in the United States Army. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1942 and served in the 761st Tank Battalion, known as the "Black Panthers." Robinson received an honorable discharge in 1944. His military service provided him with discipline and experience that would serve him well in his subsequent baseball career. ### Baseball Career Robinson's professional baseball career began in 1945 when he was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers organization. He played for the Montreal Royals, the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate, where he led the team to the International League championship in 1946, hitting .349 with 107 RBIs. His performance earned him a promotion to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. On April 15, 1947, Robinson made his MLB debut, breaking the color barrier that had existed in professional baseball since the 1880s. He faced significant racial abuse from fans, players, and even some teammates, but he maintained his composure and excellence on the field. Robinson won the inaugural MLB Rookie of the Year Award in 1947 and was named the National League MVP in 1949, when he led the league in batting average (.342), hits (203), and stolen bases (37). Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1947 to 1956, appearing in six World Series and helping the team win the 1955 World Series. He retired from baseball in 1956. In 1962, Robinson was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. His number, 42, was retired across all of MLB in 1997, and April 15 is observed annually as Jackie Robinson Day throughout baseball. ### Post-Baseball Career After retiring from baseball, Robinson transitioned to business and civic engagement. He became a vice president at Chock full o'Nuts, becoming one of the first African Americans to hold an executive position at a major American corporation. In this role, he worked to promote diversity and equal opportunity in corporate America. Robinson also remained active in civil rights advocacy, supporting various organizations and causes dedicated to racial equality. ### Athletic versatility Beyond baseball, Robinson was a multi-sport athlete. At UCLA, he excelled in basketball, track and field, and football. He played football at UCLA and was named All-American. After college, he played basketball for the Los Angeles Red Devils and the Oakland Bittars. His athletic versatility demonstrated his exceptional physical abilities and competitive drive across multiple sports. ### Honors and Recognition Robinson received numerous honors throughout his life and after his death. In addition to his baseball achievements, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal, two of the highest civilian honors in the United States. He was inducted into the California Hall of Fame and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. The Jackie Robinson Foundation was established in his honor to provide educational opportunities for minority students. ### Legacy Jackie Robinson's legacy extends far beyond his athletic achievements. He is widely credited with breaking the color barrier in professional sports and paving the way for future generations of African American athletes. His courage in the face of racial adversity made him a symbol of the civil rights movement, and he used his platform to advocate for racial equality throughout his life. Robinson's impact on baseball and American society continues to be celebrated and remembered as one of the most significant moments in sports and civil rights history. ## References 1. Find a Grave 2. [Encyclopædia Britannica Online](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Spingarn-Medal) 3. [MLB.com](http://m.mlb.com/awards/history-winners/?award_id=NLMVP) 4. [Source](https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47639) 5. [Source](https://baseballhall.org/discover-more/stories/baseball-history/remembering-jackie) 6. International Standard Name Identifier 7. Virtual International Authority File 8. CiNii Research 9. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 10. SNAC 11. MLB.com 12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 13. CONOR.SI 14. BBC Things 15. BlackPast.org 16. Quora 17. The Movie Database 18. Golden