Jackie Robinson

Date of Birth: January 31, 1919

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: October 24, 1972

Biography

Jackie Robinson was an American professional baseball player who became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the modern era. Born in Cairo, Georgia, Robinson rose to prominence when he broke the baseball color line in 1947, playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers. His entry into the sport marked the end of racial segregation in professional baseball, which had relegated black players to the Negro leagues for six decades. Robinson’s exceptional skills on the field earned him the MLB Rookie of the Year Award in 1947, and he was an All-Star for six consecutive seasons from 1949 through 1954. He also won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1949, the first black player to do so. Beyond his athletic prowess, Robinson was an outspoken advocate for civil rights, using his platform to promote equality and challenge racial injustices. After retiring from baseball, Robinson continued to be active in business and civil rights, working with organizations like the NAACP until his death in 1972.

5 Interesting Facts about Jackie Robinson

1. Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era.

2. He won the inaugural MLB Rookie of the Year Award in 1947.

3. Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.

4. He was also the first black television analyst in MLB and the first black vice president of a major American corporation, Chock full o’Nuts.

5. In 1997, MLB universally retired his jersey number, 42, across all major league teams.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jackie Robinson

1. “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”

2. “I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me… All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.”

3. “Life is not a spectator sport.”

4. “There’s not an American in this country free until every one of us is free.”

5. “The most luxurious possession, the richest treasure anybody has, is their personal dignity.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Robinson’s highest net worth is estimated to have been around $6 million adjusted for inflation.

Children

Jackie Robinson had three children with his wife, Rachel Robinson: 1. Jackie Robinson Jr. (1946–1971) 2. Sharon Robinson (b. 1950) 3. David Robinson (b. 1952)