Top 10 Facts about Jackie Robinson

Photo by Bob Sandberg – Wikimedia

Top 10 Facts about Jackie Robinson

He was born on the 31^st of January, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia, United States as the youngest child of five, born to Mallie and Jerry Robinson.

His siblings were Edgar, Frank, Matthew, and Willa Mae.

During his youthful days, he played shortstop and catcher on the baseball team, quarterback on the football team, and a guard on the basketball team.

Later developed into a professional baseball player. His turning point was when he was invested in the baseball hall of fame in 1962. 

He was retrospectively awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and Presidential Medal of Freedom respectively in recognition of his great achievements.

His baseball career began early as he was elected to the All-Southland Junior College Team for baseball. 

In addition,  he was selected as the region’s most valuable player.

Of importance to note is that Jackie was a family man married to Rachel with whom they had 3 children namely David, Sharon, and, Jackie Robinson Jr.

Unfortunately, Jackie died on the 24^th of October, 1972 out of a heart attack.

1. He Played Himself in the Jackie Robinson Story

Surprisingly to many, Jackie Robinson played himself in the Jackie Robinson story, a film story about his life. In the story, actress Ruby Dee played the role of his wife. Ruby Dee was an academy award-nominated actress.

2. The first African American Vice President, of a Major American corporation

Moreover, Jackie Robinson served as the vice president of Personnel for Chock ò Nuts Coffee. He was the first African American Vice President of a major American corporation.

3. He was admitted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as the first African American

Photo by Fawcett Publications – Wikimedia

Invested in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Jackie Robinson changed the landscape of the National Pastime and the nation itself.

The baseball world pauses each April 15 to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day on the anniversary of his big league debut.

4. First African American Sports Analyst

He turns out to be the first African American MLB TV analyst. He broadcasted for ABC’s major league Baseball Game of the week telecasts in 1965. Jackie Robinson later worked as a part-time commentator for the Montreal expos in 1972.

5. Jackie Robinson Foundation

After his death, his wife Jackie Robinson started the Jackie Robinson Foundation in 1973. It was a nonprofit organization that gave college scholarships to minorities.

The foundation served as the legacy of his husband, Jackie Robinson as a baseball player and civil rights activist, and a pioneer.

6. Jackie Robinson’s Brooklyn home was declared a landmark in 1976

Photo by Dmadeo – Wikimedia

At Brooklyn, New York is where he lived during his days as a baseball player.  The Brooklyn Dodgers was declared a National Historic Landmark.

It was a modest  a modest two-story brick duplex, with the units set side-by-side.

Each is two bays wide, with the entrance set in the right-hand bay. 5224 is the left unit, which has a band of three sash windows in the left bay.

Topped by a porch with a wooden railing and metal awning supported by decorative metal supports.

This home was a big land mark to the baseball team.

7. There’s an asteroid named after Jackie Robinson

An American astronomer Schelte John, also known and referred to as Bobby Bus discovered an asteroid at the Siding Spring observatory in View South Wales Australia.

Besides, he was astronomer Schelte John’s favourite baseball player. Due to this, he named the asteroid after Jackie Robinson as an honour to him.

8. April 15 is Jackie Robinson’s day in the world of baseball

Photo by Osbrun – Wikimedia

Jackie Robinson Day is a traditional event that occurs annually on April 15 in Major League Baseball (MLB). Commemorating and honoring the day Jackie Robinson made his major league debut.

Celebrated at MLB ballparks, on that one day, all players, coaches, and managers on both teams, and the umpires.

They wear Robinson’s uniform number, 42. April 15 was Opening Day in 1947, Robinson’s first season in the major leagues.

This was a very remarkable event in memory of a great hero of baseball.

Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, officially declared that every April 15 would be designated as Jackie Robinson Day. It would be celebrated each year throughout Major League Baseball.

9. Co-founder, Harlem’s Freed National Bank

Jackie Robinson was a co-founder of Freedom National Bank with his partner Dunbar Mclaurin.

It was a black-owned and operated bank in Harlem, New York. Robinson was the commercial bank’s first chairman of the board. His wife later served as a chairman until the bank closed.

10. Jackie Robinson campaigned for Richard Nixon

Photo by Wikimedia Commons – Wikimedia

Robinson After retiring from baseball, he devoted himself to the civil rights movement and became an active voice in politics.

During the 1960 presidential election, he surprised many of his contemporaries when he toured the country giving stump speeches for then-Vice President Richard Nixon, whom he argued had more appealing opinions on civil rights than John F. Kennedy.

Personally, he met with Kennedy but had left the encounter feeling that the Massachusetts senator was disconnected from the plight of African Americans.

The two went through a brief war of words in the press. Eventually, reversed his opinion when he wrote of his admiration for both President Kennedy and his brother Robert F. Kennedy.

A talented baseball player who did not only play baseball where he won many models but participated in other sports like football, basketball, and track.

He was a dedicated family man and a dedicated man. He was an all-around person as he engaged in various fields other than only being in the field playing.

Likewise, he was a bank chairman and TV analyst and a commentator. Moreover, he fought against racial discrimination as well as conducted political campaigns.

His hard work helped him achieve  goals. He never let issues such as discrimination hinder him from getting to the top. His hard work made him a baseball hero who is still respected to date.