When Did Jackie Robinson Retire From Baseball?

Many people know that Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball but did you know that he also retired from the sport relatively early? In this blog post, we’ll take a look at when Jackie Robinson retired from baseball and what he did afterwards.

Introduction

On January 5, 1957, Jackie Robinson announced his retirement from professional baseball at the relatively young age of 37.1 After a decade in the Major Leagues including 10 years with the Brooklyn Dodgers Robinson was one of the most popular and successful African American athletes of his time.2 His legacy as a pioneer in baseball and civil rights continues to this day.

References:
1. Jackie Robinson’s Retirement, PBS.org, http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/baseball/program/jackie-robinsons-retirement/
2. Remembering Jackie Robinson’s Retirement 60 Years Later, MLB.com, http://m.mlb.com/news/article/223839400/remembering-jackie-robinsons-retirement-60-years-later/

Early life and career

Jackie Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia, the fourth child of a family of sharecroppers. He was raised in a household with strong values instilled by his mother. As a youth, Jackie exhibited great athleticism and skills in running, baseball, and tennis. After winning an athletic scholarship to UCLA, Jackie became one of the first four African American students to enroll at the university.

At UCLA, Jackie continued to excel in his athletic endeavors, lettering in four sports. He left school before his senior year to help support his family financially. In 1942, Jackie began his Professional Baseball career playing for the Negro League’s Kansas City Monarchs. After one season with the Monarchs, Jackie was drafted into the Army and served as a second lieutenant in an all-black military police unit.

In 1945, Jackie Robinson’s extraordinary talents as a ballplayer caught the attention of Branch Rickey, owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers Rickey decided to sign Jackie to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers’ minor league team in Montreal. In 1947, Robinson made history by becoming the first African American to play Major League Baseball when he took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15th.

Military service

Although he had been contemplating retirement as early as 1957, Jackie Robinson officially announced his retirement from baseball on January 5, 1957, shortly after he was honorably discharged from the United States Army Reserve.

Breaking the color barrier

Jackie Robinson is best known for breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball He was the first African American to play in the Major Leagues and he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1947 to 1956. He was an All-Star for six years, and he won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 1947. He was also the NL Most Valuable Player in 1949.

Robinson retired from baseball in 1957, but he remained active in civil rights and business endeavors. He served as a vice president of Chock full o’Nuts coffee company and as a member of the board of directors of Freedom National Bank. He also established the Jackie Robinson Foundation, which provides college scholarships to minority students.

Major league career

Jacke Robinson played his last Major League game on October 24, 1956. He had been traded to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.

Retirement

Jackie Robinson the first African American to play in major league baseball (MLB), played his final game on October 24, 1956. He retired at the age of 37 after 10 years in the Major Leagues

Robinson was a trailblazer in baseball, breaking the color barrier in the sport in 1947. He went on to have a successful career with the Brooklyn Dodgers, winning Rookie of the Year honors in 1947 and National League MVP in 1949. He was also a six-time All-Star and helped lead the Dodgers to six World Series appearances, winning one championship in 1955.

While Robinson’s accomplishments on the field are well-documented, he was also an outspoken advocate for civil rights off the field. In retirement, he continued to work for social justice, serving as vice president of civil rights organization NAACP from 1957 to 1967. He was also inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, becoming the first African American player to be so honored.

Legacy

Jackie Robinson’s legacy extends far beyond his years playing baseball He is credited with helping to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball and his story has been an inspiration to generations of Americans. After retirement, he continued to be an active voice in the fight for civil rights. He passed away in 1972, but his legacy remains as strong as ever.

Personal life

Robinson had hardly any time for a personal life during his Baseball Career He was on the road most of the year playing 162 games per season. When he was home in Brooklyn, he spent his time with his wife Rachel and their three kids.

Robinson retired from baseball in 1957, at the age of 38. He had one year left on his contract with the Dodgers, but he decided to retire because he felt he could no longer play at a high level. After retiring, Robinson became involved in business and politics. He also worked as a commentator for ABC’s baseball game of the Week.

In 1962, Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame becoming the first African American to be elected.

See also

Robinson’s retirement coincided with the arrival of two young stars on the team, first baseman Gil Hodges and second baseman Chuck Knoblauch. Hodges had been acquired from the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Jackie Robinson’s final game was on October 10, 1956. He retired at the age of 37.

References

-https://www. Jackie Robinson’s official website
-https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/robinja02.shtml