What Year Did Jackie Robinson Start Playing Baseball?

Jackie Robinson started playing baseball in 1947, which was the year he broke the color barrier.

Introduction

Jackie Robinson was an African American who was the first player to break the color line in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the twentieth century. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1947 until his retirement in 1957.

Early Life and Education

Jackie Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia, on January 31, 1919, the fifth child of a sharecropper and domestic worker. He had four older siblings. When Robinson was a month old, his father left the family, leaving his mother to care for the children on her own. The family struggled financially and moved to Hermitage Avenue in Pasadena, California, when Jackie was about eight years old.

Robinson excelled in track and field at Pasadena High School. He also played football, basketball and baseball. After graduating from high school in 1935, Robinson attended Pasadena City College (PCC) on an athletic scholarship. At PCC, he became one of the nation’s top collegiate sprinters. He also continued to play baseball and football.

In May 1939, Robinson transferred to the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). He led the Bruins’ football team to victory in the Rose Bowl that year. He also became the first Bruin athlete to win varsity letters in four different sports: baseball, basketball, football and track. Jackie Robinson graduated from UCLA in 1941 with a degree in economics.

Professional Career

Jackie Robinson’s professional career began in 1945, when he was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers organization. He played one season with the Dodgers’ minor league team before being called up to the majors in 1947. Robinson made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, becoming the first African American player in Major League Baseball history. He went on to play for the Dodgers for 10 seasons, helping the team to win six National League pennants and one World Series championship. Robinson retired from baseball in 1957 and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.

Later Life and Death

Jackie Robinson’s later life was filled with activism and business endeavors. He became the first African American vice president of a major American corporation, Chock full o’Nuts. He also helped to found the African American-owned Freedom National Bank. In retirement, he remained active with several organizations, including the NAACP and Boy Scouts of America.

In 1972, Jackie Robinson was diagnosed with diabetes. His health steadily declined over the next few years, and he died from a heart attack on October 24, 1972, at his home in Stamford, Connecticut.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Jackie Robinson started playing baseball in 1947. He was the first African American to play in the Major Leagues. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.