Comic illustration of Jackie Robinson

All illustrations by Dave Shephard

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Jackie Robinson

Seventy-five years ago, he forever changed baseball—and helped change America.

As You Read, Think About: What obstacles did Robinson face during the 1947 season? 

If you watch any Major League Baseball game on April 15, you’ll notice something similar about the players. They’ll all be wearing uniform number 42. Players do that each year to honor Jackie Robinson, who wore number 42 when he played his first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. When Robinson stepped onto the field 75 years ago, he shattered the barrier that had kept Black players out of Major League Baseball for decades.

If you watch any Major League Baseball game on April 15, you will notice something similar about the players. They will all be wearing uniform number 42. Players do that each year to honor Jackie Robinson. He wore number 42 when he played his first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. When Robinson stepped onto the field 75 years ago, he broke the barrier that had kept Black players out of Major League Baseball for decades.

Competing for Equality
Watch a video about Jackie Robinson and other inspirational Black athletes.

Separate Leagues

In the 1940s, many parts of American society had forced segregation. That included professional baseball. An unwritten rule had barred Black players from the major leagues since the 1880s. Instead, they had to play under poor conditions and for low pay in the Negro Leagues. (The term Negro once was commonly used to refer to Black people. It is now considered outdated and offensive.)

Branch Rickey, the president of the Brooklyn Dodgers (now Los Angeles Dodgers), wanted to change that. But he knew it would take a special player to break baseball’s color barrier. That player would need more than talent. He’d also need the courage not to fight back when faced with racism on and off the field. After meeting Jackie Robinson, Rickey knew he had found the right player.

In the 1940s, many parts of American society had forced segregation. That included professional baseball. An unwritten rule had banned Black players from the major leagues since the 1880s. Instead, they had to play under poor conditions and for low pay in the Negro Leagues. (The term Negro once was commonly used to refer to Black people. It is now considered outdated and offensive.)

Branch Rickey was the president of the Brooklyn Dodgers (now Los Angeles Dodgers). He wanted to change things. But he knew it would take a special player to break baseball’s color barrier. That player would need more than talent. He would also need the courage not to fight back when faced with racism on and off the field. After meeting Jackie Robinson, Rickey knew he had found the right player.

Keeping His Cool

During his first season with the Dodgers, Robinson faced challenges that no other player had to deal with. He received death threats from racist fans. Players on other teams shouted insults at him because of the color of his skin. When the Dodgers played in other cities, Robinson often wasn’t allowed to stay in the same hotels as his White teammates.

Many of those teammates didn’t offer Robinson much support. Some of them didn’t like the idea of playing alongside a Black man. Through it all, Robinson didn’t lose his cool. 

“I had to fight hard against loneliness, abuse, and the knowledge that any mistake I made would be magnified because I was the only Black man out there,” he later wrote in his autobiography.

Despite all the obstacles, Robinson proved he was every bit as good as the best White players. After the 1947 season, he won baseball’s first Rookie of the Year award.

During his first season with the Dodgers, Robinson faced challenges that no other player had to deal with. He received death threats from racist fans. Players on other teams shouted insults at him. This was all because of the color of his skin. When the Dodgers played in other cities, Robinson often was not allowed to stay in the same hotels as his White teammates.

Many of those teammates didn’t offer Robinson much support. Some of them didn’t like the idea of playing alongside a Black man. Through it all, Robinson didn’t lose his cool. 

“I had to fight hard against loneliness, abuse, and the knowledge that any mistake I made would be magnified because I was the only Black man out there,” he later wrote in his autobiography.

Despite all the obstacles, Robinson proved he was every bit as good as the best White players. After the 1947 season, he won baseball’s first Rookie of the Year award.

An Inspiration for All

Robinson opened baseball’s doors to more Black players, who finally got a chance to show all of America what they could do. He also continued to excel on the field and made six All-Star teams before retiring from baseball after the 1956 season. Many leaders credited him with playing a key role in the civil rights movement. Martin Luther King Jr. called him “a legend in his own time.”

Though Robinson died in 1972, he continues to be an inspiration today. 

“His sacrifices blessed me & countless others with the opportunity to play the game we all love today. But he stood for so much more,” Dodgers All-Star Mookie Betts wrote on Twitter on Jackie Robinson Day in 2020. “We too must be activists and fight for the principles of life and equality.”

Robinson opened baseball’s doors to more Black players. They finally got a chance to show all of America what they could do. He also continued to excel on the field. He made six All-Star teams. Then he retired from baseball after the 1956 season. Many leaders credited him with playing a key role in the civil rights movement. Martin Luther King Jr. called him “a legend in his own time.”

Though Robinson died in 1972, he continues to be an inspiration today. 

“His sacrifices blessed me & countless others with the opportunity to play the game we all love today. But he stood for so much more,” Dodgers All-Star Mookie Betts wrote on Twitter on Jackie Robinson Day in 2020. “We too must be activists and fight for the principles of life and equality.”

A Hero On and Off the Field

Here are some key moments in Jackie Robinson’s life.

In 1939 and 1940, Robinson was a football star at the University of California, Los Angeles.


In 1955, Robinson helped the Dodgers win their first World Series championship.


On August 28, 1963, Robinson took part in the March on Washington to call for equal rights for all. 


A Hero On and Off the Field

Here are some key moments in Jackie Robinson’s life.


In 1939 and 1940, Robinson was a football star at the University of California, Los Angeles.


In 1955, Robinson helped the Dodgers win their first World Series championship.


On August 28, 1963, Robinson took part in the March on Washington to call for equal rights for all. 

1. How did segregation in baseball affect Black players from the 1880s to the 1940s?

2. What was Jackie Robinson’s first season in Major League Baseball like? Use details from the article.

3. What does the expression “opened baseball’s doors” mean?

1. How did segregation in baseball affect Black players from the 1880s to the 1940s?

2. What was Jackie Robinson’s first season in Major League Baseball like? Use details from the article.

3. What does the expression “opened baseball’s doors” mean?

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