Jackie Robinson (1919-1972), the first black baseball player to break the color barrier of Major League Baseball in over 50 years when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. (ca. 1947) |
On this day 66 years ago, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in the MLB when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Over the course of 10 seasons, Robinson compiled a triple slash line of .311/.409/.474 with 137 HRs and 734 RBI while winning an MVP and was selected to 6 All-Star games. He was inducted into the hall of fame by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) in 1962. But more importantly, he created a lasting legacy and paved the way for many professional African-American athletes. Without him, there is no Willie Mays, Larry Doby, Frank Robinson, and Hank Aaron. Not only did Jackie Robinson have an impact on the game of baseball, but his efforts on the diamond led to changes across the country. Jackie's success forced the country to take a different look at race in America. Even the fight for civil rights picked up momentum. Jackie Robinson not only changed the culture in sports, but completely changed the American society and for that I am grateful.
Now who was the first African-American Braves player? That title belongs to Sam Jethroe, who played with the Boston Braves from 1950-1952 and the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1954. In his Major League debut, he collected 2 hits with one of those being a home run. In his rookie season of 1950, he had a triple slash line of .273/.338/.442 with 18 HR and 58 RBI while leading the league in stolen bases with 35. His stellar season was capped off with winning the NL Rookie of the Year award. In his brief 4 year career, Jethroe hit .261/.337/.418 with 49 HR, 181 RBI and 98 stolen bases.
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