USAthletic Honors #42  

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African-American player in Major League Baseball. In commemoration of the most momentous day in baseball history, Commissioner Alan H. (“Bud”) Selig declared April 15 “Jackie Robinson Day” in perpetuity.  April 15, 2007 marks the 60th Anniversary of this historic moment. Minnesota Twins outfielder Torii Hunter and San Francisco Giants Barry Bonds will join Mets Manager Willie Randolph, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr. and the entire LA Dodgers team as they wear Number 42 on the anniversary of his Major League debut. Griffey, Jr. began the trend after asking for and receiving permission from Commissioner Selig to wear the number of baseball hero. Several other players have indicated that they too, will wear #42 on this special day.

Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia, on January 31, 1919, the youngest of five children of Jerry and Mallie Robinson. He grew up in Pasadena, California and lettered in football, baseball, basketball and track at UCLA. He was widely regarded as the finest all-around athlete in the United States at that time.

After three years in the Army, he played with the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Negro Leagues in 1945. Later that year, in a historic move that ended decades of discrimination against blacks in baseball, he signed a contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization. After a successful season in 1946 with its farm club, the Montreal Royals, he became the first black player in the Major Leagues since the nineteenth century.

Highlights of his baseball career include:
1947 - Rookie of the Year
1949 - National League Most Valuable Player Award
1957 - Retired from baseball after helping the Dodgers win six pennants and one World Series
1962 - Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame
Robinson's history-making achievements in baseball were only part of his extraordinary life and legacy. He made his gift for the game into a forum for all of America to engage in a conversation that would leave a lasting impact on almost every facet of our society. His outspoken leadership on issues of civil and human rights continued throughout his years as a corporate executive, civil servant, and major figure in national politics.

In 1957, Robinson became the Vice President of Chock Full O' Nuts, a coffee and restaurant chain. He later co-founded Freedom National Bank of Harlem, where he was Chairman of the Board from 1964 to 1972. In 1970, he organized the Jackie Robinson Construction Corporation. In both banking and construction his major aim was to contribute to the improvement of living conditions for Black Americans, especially in the major metropolitan areas.


At the same time, Jackie Robinson was also deeply concerned with the struggle for civil rights. Starting in 1957, he traveled extensively to raise funds for the NAACP. These efforts led to close relationships with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other prominent leaders. He was also a staunch supporter of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai Brith. His concern with politics led him to influence leaders such as Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy and Nixon; Hubert Humphrey and Nelson Rockefeller. In 1964, he resigned from Chock Full O' Nuts to work full time on the campaign of Governor Rockefeller, who later appointed him as Special Assistant of Community Affairs. In 1968, he campaigned on behalf of Vice President Hubert Humphrey in his presidential bid.

Jackie Robinson worked tirelessly over the years with a variety of church groups and community organizations. He served on the Board of Managers of the Harlem YMCA, where a building now bears his name. A major supporter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, he served as National Chairman of its Brotherhood Week in 1968.

In 1973, the year after he died, his extraordinary commitment to youth was recognized when Mrs. Rachel Robinson founded the Jackie Robinson Foundation. The JRF honors Jackie's memory by keeping alive the spark and commitment that he brought to social issues. The JRF continues Jackie's fight for human dignity and brotherhood by supporting college-bound minority and poor young people seeking to develop their potential. Committed to this potential, the JRF carries on the struggle for the dignity, unity and courageous leadership that were the hallmarks of Jackie Robinson's life.

In 1997, Major League Baseball celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Jackie breaking baseball's color barrier by retiring his number 42 into perpetuity during a ceremony at Shea Stadium with Baseball Commissioner Alan Selig, Rachel Robinson and President Bill Clinton.

The Foundation's mission has always included the following credo:
Serving as an advocate for youth with the greatest need, the Foundation assists increasing numbers of promising minority youth in realizing their full potential as well-educated and active participants in the process of social change.

These goals are accomplished through its education and leadership development program as a perpetuation of Jackie Robinson's legacy.

Information courtesy of the Jackie Robinson Foundation