Jackie Robinson
On April 15 of each season, Major League Baseball celebrates Jackie Robinson Day commemorating the breaking of the game's color barrier and the day the Brooklyn Dodgers started him at first base, April 15, 1947.
The life of the man who broke baseball's color barrier.
Photo: Brooklyn Dodgers infielder Jackie Robinson, April 18, 1948. There was no sophomore jinx for Jackie, he had a solid second season and followed that in 1949 when he was awarded his first National League MVP Award.
Jackie Robinson reports to Royals
Branch Rickey of the Dodgers organization first met with Jackie Robinson in August 28, 1945.
Robinson signed a contract to play with the Montreal Royals of the International League on October 23, 1945 receiving a $3,500 bonus and $600 per month salary.
Robinson reported to the Montreal Royals baseball club at Sanford, Florida, to play for the Dodger farm team for the 1946 season.
Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers poses for a portrait circa 1947-1956.
Robinson family portrait
Mallie Robinson, center, poses for a family portrait with her children, from left, Mack Robinson, Jackie Robinson, Edgar Robinson, Willa Mae Robinson and Frank Robinson circa 1925 in California.
Raised in Pasadena, Jackie Robinson (1919-72) went on to be the first African-American to play American Major League Baseball.
Basketball player at UCLA
Jackie Robinson is seen in his basketball uniform while attending the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
While at UCLA, Robinson played baseball, football, basketball, and track.
Reese, Stanky, Jorgensen
From left are Brooklyn Dodgers' John Jorgensen, Pee Wee Reese, Ed Stanky and Jackie Robinson on April 15, 1947 which was Robinson's first day playing for the Dodgers.
Branch Rickey
Brooklyn Dodgers' president Branch Rickey, right, and star Jackie Robinson confer at the Chicago Baseball Writers' Association annual dinner in Chicago, Ill., January 18, 1948.
Robinson won the first MLB Rookie of the Year Award, the award that is named after him today.
Robinson, Jackie Jr. and Rachel
Brooklyn Dodger baseball star Jackie Robinson holding his young son Jackie Jr. on his lap as he sits with his wife Rachel on front steps of their home in Brooklyn, July 1, 1949.
Stealing home
Brooklyn Dodgers' Jackie Robinson steals home successfully as Boston Braves' catcher Bill Salkeld is thrown off-balance on pitcher Bill Voiselle's throw to the plate during the fifth inning of a Boston-Brooklyn game at Ebbets Field in New York, Aug. 22, 1948. Third baseman Billy Cox, who was at bat, watches Jackie slide. The Braves won 4-3.
Jackie Robinson 1952
Brooklyn Dodger infielder Jackie Robinson poses in May 1952. Robinson had a .311 career batting average and no other player since World War II has stolen home more than Robinson.
During his career, the Dodgers played in six World Series and Jackie played in six All-Star games.
Pee Wee Reese, Preacher Roe
Brooklyn Dodgers from left, Pee Wee Reese, Jackie Robinson, and Preacher Roe are a happy trio in the clubhouse after the Dodgers beat the Yankees 5-3 in the third game of the World Series at Yankee Stadium in New York, Oct. 3, 1952.
Stealing home plate
Brooklyn Dodgers' Jackie Robinson safely steals home plate under the tag attempt of Yankees catcher Yogi Berra in the eighth inning of the World Series opener Sept. 28, 1955 in New York's Yankee Stadium. With pinch-hitter Frank Kellert at bat, Robinson beat the throw from Yankee pitcher Whitey Ford. Umpire is Bill Summers. Yankees won the game 6-5, but the Dodgers went on to win their only World Series.
Hall of Fame
Jackie Robinson, former Brooklyn Dodgers first baseman, holds his plaque at his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, in Cooperstown, N.Y, July 23, 1962
Jackie Robinson and CORE
Former baseball star Jackie Robinson carries a placard as he joins pickets at the construction site of the Down State Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York City, August 2, 1963.
Robinson and members of CORE, the Congress of Racial Equality, demonstrated in an effort to stop construction of publicly financed projects until more jobs were given to blacks.
Jackie Robinson 1971
Baseball legend Jackie Robinson poses at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York, January 23, 1971.
Death of Jack Jr.
Jackie Robinson looks pensive at his Stamford, Connecticut home, June 30, 1971, as he discusses the death of his son Jack Jr.
Jack was killed in an automobile accident.
First ball at World Series 1972
Jackie Robinson is shown as he prepared to throw out the first ball at the second game of the World Series in Cincinnati on October 15, 1972, his last public appearance. At right is Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn. Robinson died from heart problems and diabetes complications on October 24, 1972.
Jackie Robinson's grave
A single rose with a handwritten note rests at the grave of baseball Hall-of-Famer Jackie Robinson at the Cypress Hill Cemetery in the Queens borough of New York City, April 15, 1997.