Jackie Robinson

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Jackie Robinson

On the cusp of making history

Jackie Robinson: The first Black Major League Baseball player

Jackie Robinson

How did Jackie Robinson become the first Black player in Major League Baseball?

Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson signing a major league contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 10, 1947, becoming the first African American on a major league roster since the 1880s.

Roy Campanella, Larry Doby, Don Newcombe, and Jackie Robinson (left to right) in 1949 at Ebbets Field, where they became the first African Americans to take part in the All-Star Game.

Roy Campanella, Larry Doby, Don Newcombe, and Jackie Robinson

For Students

Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson summary

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Jackie Robinson: Facts & Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Jackie Robinson is a MLB baseball player. He was born on January 31, 1919

Facts

Also Known As	Jack Roosevelt Robinson
Born	January 31, 1919 • Georgia
Died	October 24, 1972 (aged 53) • Stamford • Connecticut
Awards And Honors	retired number • Baseball Hall of Fame (1962) • Most Valuable Player (1949) • six-time All-Star • Baseball Hall of Fame (inducted in 1962) • Rookie of the Year Award • 1x batting champion • 1x MVP • 1 World Series championship
College	Pasadena City College (Pasadena, CA); University of California, Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA)
Height/Weight	5 ft 11 inches, 195 lb (180 cm, 88 kg)
Batting Hand	right
Throwing Hand	right
Debut Date	April 15, 1947
Last Game	September 30, 1956
Jersey Number	42 (1947-1956, Brooklyn Dodgers)
Position	second baseman, third baseman, and first baseman
At Bats	4,877
Batting Average	0.311
Hits	1,518
Home Runs	137
On-Base Percentage	0.409
On-Base Plus Slugging	0.883
Runs	947
Runs Batted In	734
Slugging Percentage	0.474
Stolen Bases	197

Top Questions

How many hits did Jackie Robinson have?

Jackie Robinson had 1,518 hits in his career.

How tall was Jackie Robinson?

Jackie Robinson was 5 ft 11 inches, 195 lb (180 cm, 88 kg).

What position did Jackie Robinson play?

Jackie Robinson played second baseman, third baseman, and first baseman.

Where was Jackie Robinson born?

Jackie Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia, United States.

How many home runs did Jackie Robinson hit?

Jackie Robinson hit 137 home runs during his career.

What was Jackie Robinson's batting average?

Jackie Robinson had a career batting average of 0.311.

When was Jackie Robinson born?

Jackie Robinson was born on January 31, 1919.

Photos and Videos

Jackie Robinson

On the cusp of making history

Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson signing a major league contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 10, 1947, becoming the first African American on a major league roster since the 1880s.

Roy Campanella, Larry Doby, Don Newcombe, and Jackie Robinson (left to right) in 1949 at Ebbets Field, where they became the first African Americans to take part in the All-Star Game.

Roy Campanella, Larry Doby, Don Newcombe, and Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson showing his 1949 Most Valuable Player award.

In 1962 Jackie Robinson became the first black ballplayer to be inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame.

Jackie Robinson: The first Black Major League Baseball player

How did Jackie Robinson become the first Black player in Major League Baseball?

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