Jackie Robinson

31 January 1919 – 24 October 1972

Jackie Robinson (1919–1972) was an American baseball player who became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era when he debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers on 15 April 1947. He was National League MVP in 1949, won the World Series in 1955, was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1962 and was active in the civil rights movement after retiring.

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Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Jackie Robinson.

Life events

Born in Cairo, Georgia, United States
31 January 1919

Born Jack Roosevelt Robinson, the youngest of five children of a sharecropping family.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Family moved to Pasadena, California
1920

After his father left, his mother moved the family to Pasadena, where Robinson grew up.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Attended UCLA, lettering in four sports
1939 – 1941

Became the first UCLA athlete to win varsity letters in baseball, basketball, football and track; he left before graduating.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Served in the United States Army
1942 – 1944

Drafted in 1942 and commissioned a second lieutenant; he was court-martialled in 1944 after refusing to move to the back of an Army bus, acquitted and honourably discharged.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization
23 October 1945

After a season with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro leagues, signed a contract with Branch Rickey to play for the Dodgers' Montreal Royals farm team.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Rachel Isum
10 February 1946

Married Rachel Isum, a nursing student he had met at UCLA; they had three children.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Broke the Major League Baseball colour line with the Brooklyn Dodgers
15 April 1947

Played first base at Ebbets Field on opening day, becoming the first African American in the major leagues since the 1880s; he was named Rookie of the Year that season.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Named National League Most Valuable Player
1949

Led the league in batting average and stolen bases in a season that earned him the MVP award.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame
1962

Became the first African American player inducted, in his first year of eligibility, after retiring in 1957.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Stamford, Connecticut
24 October 1972

Died of a heart attack at his home at the age of 53, after years of complications from diabetes.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓