Jackie Robinson
There are two men in baseball history that every American should learn about: Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson. Ruth deserves to be remembered primarily for what he did between the lines, Robinson for simply crossing the line. After Branch Rickey bravely signed him to a contract, Robinson broke the "unwritten" color barrier when he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. He endured taunts, insults, threatened boycotts, death threats, isolation, and immense pressure to become the best all-around player in the National League. He won Rookie of the Year honors, the Most Valuable Player Award, and led Brooklyn to six pennants in ten years. After his playing career he emerged as an important civil rights leader in America.
Played For
Brooklyn Dodgers (1947-1956)
All-Time Rankings
Jackie Robinson ranks #6 among the Top 50 all-time at 2B. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1949
Jackie wasn't a terrible second baseman. He was bounced around defensively because he was the most versatile athlete on the team. In 1949 his batting and baserunning made headlines. Robinson batted .342 (first), and finished in the top three in runs (122), hits (203), doubles, triples, RBI (124), OBP, and slugging (.528). He paced the league in steals (37) and created havoc as a baserunner. Robinson helped the Dodgers to the pennant.
Factoids
Jackie Robinson was traded to the New York Giants in December of 1956, but he retired in January and nullified the deal.
Description
Robinson was one of the best athletes of his era. He was far more than a great ballplayer, he was a world-class high-jumper, triple-jumper, runner, and he played college football.
Where He Played
Everyone remembers Robinson as a second baseman, but he actually won the Rookie of the Year Award as a first baseman. But in 1948, the Dodgers dealt second baseman Eddie Stanky to the Braves, to help clear up their infield crowding. Young Gil Hodges was given the first base job, and Jackie was inserted at second base. He continued to play second until 1953, when Junior Gilliam played himself into the keystone spot. Robinson split time between left and third for the remainder of his career. By all accounts, the shifting of Robinson by the Dodgers was not because they lacked confidence in his defensive play, but rather that Jackie was the most versatile athlete on the team.
Born
Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, GA.
Died
October 24, 1972, Stamford, CT
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: 2B
Primary Team: BRO
Major League Debut
April 15, 1947
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1947
Nellie Fox
Duke Snider
Larry Doby
Jackie Robinson
Curt Simmons
Mel Parnell
Vic Wertz
Ted Kluszewski
Ferris Fain
Uniform Numbers
#42 (1947-1956), this number has been retired by every major league team.
Similar Players
None
Related Players
Pee Wee Reese
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1962 |
BBWAA |
124 |
77.5% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1947 World Series
1949 World Series
1952 World Series
1953 World Series
1955 World Series
1956 World Series
Awards and Honors
1947 ML Rookie of the Year
1949 NL MVP
Feats
In 1947 he paved the way for African-American players to advance to Major League Baseball when he debuted as the first black player in more than 50 years... On August 29, 1948, Robinson hit for the cycle... On April 23, 1954, Jackie stole second, third, and home in the same inning.
Batting Feats
- August 29, 1948: Cycle...
Notes
From the May 13, 1955, New York Times: "Jackie Robinson was benched by mutual agreement with manager Smokey Alston. 'Jack talked to me last night,' said Alston, 'and we both had the same idea.' Jack, batting only .244, had suggested it might be better if he got out of the line-up for a few days, a thought that also had occurred to his manager."
Hitting Streaks
21 games (1947)
Transactions
December 13, 1956: Traded by the Brooklyn Dodgers to the New York Giants for Dick Littlefield and $30000 cash. Jackie Robinson refused to report to his new team. Trade was voided and players returned on December 13, 1956.
Hall of Fame Artifacts
Brooklyn Dodgers' jersey
All-Star Selections
1949 NL
1950 NL
1951 NL
1952 NL
1953 NL
1954 NL
Replaced
Big Ed Stevens and Stretch Schultz, who had platooned at first for the Dodgers in 1946, with little success.
Replaced By
Robinson probably could have played a few more years as an effective role player, but he retired himself as his skills started to fade. The players who benefitted from his retirement were chiefly Gino Cimoli and Charlie Neal, two young Dodgers who got regular playing time because Robinson was out of Walter Alston's defensive rotation between third/second/first.
Best Strength as a Player
Baserunning — Robinson would have been very comfortable in the dead ball era, but as it was, he was a rare double threat in the National League at that time. He could hit the ball deep or steal bases.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Hard to find any weaknesses.
Learn More about Jackie Robinson
Search Amazon.com for Books about Jackie Robinson ⇒
Search for Jackie Robinson at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
