Jack Roosevelt Robinson

Born:

January 31, 1919, Cairo, Georgia, USA

Died:

October 24, 1972, Stamford, Connecticut, USA

Nationality:

American

Profession(s):

Professional Baseball Player, Civil Rights Activist, Businessman

Early Life and Education

• Born into a sharecropping family in Georgia.
• Moved to Pasadena, California, in 1920.
• Attended John Muir High School and Pasadena Junior College, excelling in multiple sports.
• Attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), becoming the first athlete in the school's history to letter in four sports: baseball, basketball, football, and track.
• Left UCLA before graduating due to financial constraints.
• Served in the United States Army during World War II, achieving the rank of Second Lieutenant.

Career and Major Achievements

• Played professional baseball in the Negro Leagues for the Kansas City Monarchs in 1945.
• Signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in 1947, breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball.
• Named National League Rookie of the Year in 1947.
• Won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1949.
• Played in six World Series with the Brooklyn Dodgers, winning in 1955.
• Retired from baseball in 1956.
• Became a vice president at Chock Full o' Nuts coffee company after his baseball career.
• Actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement.

Notable Works

• Wrote several books, including Jackie Robinson: My Own Story.
• The autobiography of Jackie Robinson details the challenges and triumphs of his life.

Awards and Recognition

Legacy and Impact

Jackie Robinson's impact extends far beyond baseball. His courageous stand against racial prejudice paved the way for future generations of African American athletes and contributed significantly to the Civil Rights Movement. He is remembered as a symbol of equality and perseverance.

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