Inspiration And Expert Advice: Famous People

Jackie Robinson Biography

Claim to Fame: Baseball Player
DOB: January 31, 1919
Date of Death: October 24, 1972
Diabetes Type: unknown

Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia. He was one of five children living with his single mother. Throughout his high school and junior college career, Robinson was involved in many sports, including football, basketball, track, and baseball. He was named Most Valuable Player in baseball and was elected to the All-Southland Junior College Team in 1938.

Robinson transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles in 1940 where he lettered in his four sports. Then in 1946, he went to Florida to train with the Montreal Royals, a Triple-A farm club, where he led the International League in batting average with a .349. Because of his outstanding play, the Dodgers asked him to play for the major league club in 1947. He made his debut on April 15, 1947 as the first African-American man to play major league baseball.

Robinson faced extreme prejudice from not only rival players and fans, but teammates as well. He overcame though, and managed to come out on top. In his first year he hit 12 home runs, led the league in stolen bases, was selected as Rookie of the Year, and helped his team with the National League pennant. Then, in 1949, Robinson won the Most Valuable Player award for the National League. He won his only championship ring in 1955, when the Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in the World Series. Robinson retired after the 1956 season with a .311 career batting average and a .409 career on base percentage. He was made a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and the All-Century Team.

Complications of heart disease and diabetes weakened Robinson and made him almost blind by middle age. On October 24, 1972, he died of a heart attack at home in Stamford, Connecticut. Former teammates and other famous African-American ballplayers served as pallbearers, and Reverend Jesse Jackson gave the eulogy. The following year, Robinson's widow Rachel began the Jackie Robinson Foundation. Plans for a Jackie Robinson museum have been unveiled; the museum is expected to open in 2010.

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