Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jackie Robinson

Discover the career path of Jackie Robinson, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Jackie Robinson was a pivotal figure in American history. As the first African American to play Major League Baseball in the modern era, he broke the color barrier in 1947, joining the Brooklyn Dodgers. This event marked a significant step towards desegregation in professional sports, ending the long-standing practice of relegating Black players to the Negro leagues. Robinson's courage and skill paved the way for future generations of African American athletes and contributed to the broader Civil Rights Movement.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1936: Tennis and Baseball Achievements

In 1936, Jackie Robinson won the junior boys singles championship in the annual Pacific Coast Negro Tennis Tournament and earned a place on the Pomona annual baseball tournament all-star team.

May 7, 1938: Broad-Jump Record

On May 7, 1938, Jackie Robinson broke an American junior college broad-jump record with a jump of 25 ft 6+1⁄2 in.

1939: UCLA Football Team

In 1939, Jackie Robinson was one of four black players on the UCLA Bruins football team, which was considered college football's most integrated team at the time.

1940: NCAA Championship

In 1940, Jackie Robinson won the NCAA championship in the long jump.

1940: UCLA football season

In the 1940 season, Jackie Robinson led the NCAA in punt return average while playing for UCLA.

December 1941: Return to California

In December 1941, Jackie Robinson returned to California after a short football season with the Honolulu Bears, planning to pursue a career with the Los Angeles Bulldogs, but the attack on Pearl Harbor ended his football career.

November 1944: Honorable Discharge

In November 1944, Jackie Robinson received an honorable discharge from the army and was encouraged to write to the Kansas City Monarchs for a tryout.

1944: Athletic Director at Samuel Huston College

In 1944, Jackie Robinson became the athletic director and basketball coach at Samuel Huston College in Austin after being discharged from the army.

August 28, 1945: Rickey interviews Robinson

On August 28, 1945, Branch Rickey interviewed Jackie Robinson for a possible assignment to the Brooklyn Dodgers' farm club, the Montreal Royals. Rickey questioned Robinson extensively about his ability to withstand racial abuse without reacting angrily, seeking a player "with guts enough not to fight back."

November 1, 1945: Rickey's Commitment

Before November 1, 1945, Branch Rickey committed to formally signing Jackie Robinson, although he required Robinson to keep the arrangement a secret for the time being.

1945: Played for the Kansas City Monarchs

In early 1945, Jackie Robinson accepted a contract to play professional baseball with the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro leagues.

March 17, 1946: Robinson makes Royals Debut

On March 17, 1946, Jackie Robinson made his debut for the Montreal Royals at Daytona Beach's City Island Ballpark in an exhibition game against the Brooklyn Dodgers, becoming the first black player to openly play for a minor league team against a major league team since the 1880s.

April 18, 1946: Robinson's Professional Debut

On April 18, 1946, Jackie Robinson made his professional debut with the Montreal Royals against the Jersey City Giants at Roosevelt Stadium. He had four hits in five at bats, including a three-run home run, and stole two bases in the Royals' 14–1 victory.

1946: Robinson arrives at Daytona Beach

In 1946, Jackie Robinson arrived at Daytona Beach, Florida, for spring training with the Montreal Royals of the Class AAA International League.

1946: Robinson Plays for Montreal Royals

In 1946, Jackie Robinson played for the Montreal Royals, residing at 8232 avenue de Gaspé near Jarry Park.

1946: Robinson assigned to the Royals

In 1946, Jackie Robinson was assigned to the Montreal Royals, becoming the first black baseball player in the International League since the 1880s.

April 11, 1947: Robinson's Preseason Debut

On April 11, 1947, Jackie Robinson made his debut as a Dodger in a preseason exhibition game against the New York Yankees at Ebbets Field.

April 15, 1947: Jackie Robinson Breaks the Color Barrier

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson broke the color line in professional baseball by starting at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers, marking the end of racial segregation in professional baseball.

July 5, 1947: Doby breaks the color barrier in the American League

On July 5, 1947, Larry Doby broke the color barrier in the American League, just 11 weeks after Jackie Robinson.

1947: End of Rookie Season

At the end of his rookie season in 1947, Jackie Robinson brought home a jersey.

1947: Balanced Offensive Strategies

From 1947 to 1953 Jackie Robinson's career is generally considered to mark the beginning of the post–"long ball" era in baseball, in which a reliance on raw power-hitting gave way to balanced offensive strategies that used footspeed to create runs through aggressive baserunning.

1947: Robinson plays in the World Series

In 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first black player to play in the World Series as the Brooklyn Dodgers faced the Yankees. He appeared in all seven games, with the Dodgers ultimately losing in Game 7.

1947: Began Playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers

In 1947, Jackie Robinson started his major league career at age 28, playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

1947: Rookie of the Year Award

In 1947, Jackie Robinson won the Major League Rookie of the Year Award.

February 1948: Robinson signs contract with the Dodgers

In February 1948, Jackie Robinson signed a $12,500 contract with the Dodgers.

March 1948: Robinson takes over second base

In March 1948, following Eddie Stanky's trade to the Boston Braves, Jackie Robinson took over second base for the Dodgers.

August 1948: Dodgers briefly move into first place

In late August 1948, the Dodgers briefly moved into first place in the National League.

August 29, 1948: Robinson hits for the cycle

On August 29, 1948, in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Jackie Robinson hit for the cycle—a home run, a triple, a double, and a single in the same game.

1948: Batting Average of .296

In 1948, Jackie Robinson had a batting average of .296 before seeking help from George Sisler.

1948: Desegregation of the Military

In 1948, President Harry Truman desegregated the military, which led the country toward increased equality for blacks. Robinson's success symbolized these broader changes.

1949: Rookie of the Year Award

Due to his performance in the 1947 season, Jackie Robinson earned the inaugural Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award in 1949.

1949: National League Most Valuable Player Award

In 1949, Jackie Robinson won the National League Most Valuable Player Award, becoming the first Black player to be so honored.

1949: Named Most Valuable Player for the National League

In 1949, Jackie Robinson's batting average improved to .342 after working with George Sisler. He stole 37 bases, was second in the league for doubles and triples, registered 124 runs batted in and 122 runs, earning him the Most Valuable Player Award for the National League. Baseball fans also voted Robinson as the starting second baseman for the 1949 All-Star Game, the first to include black players.

1950: Highest Salary and Film Biography

In 1950, Jackie Robinson led the National League in double plays made by a second baseman with 133 and had the highest salary any Dodger had been paid to that point: $35,000. The film biography of Robinson's life, The Jackie Robinson Story, was released in 1950, in which Robinson played himself, and Ruby Dee played Rachel "Rae" (Isum) Robinson.

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1950: League Leader in Fielding

In 1950, Jackie Robinson led the league in fielding among second basemen.

October 3, 1951: Dodgers Lost Pennant

On October 3, 1951, the Dodgers lost the pennant on Bobby Thomson's home run, known as the Shot Heard 'Round the World. Robinson ensured Thomson touched all bases. He finished the season with 106 runs scored, a batting average of .335, and 25 stolen bases.

1951: Led National League in Double Plays

During the 1951 season, Jackie Robinson led the National League in double plays made by a second baseman for the second year in a row, with 137. During the last game of the regular season, in the 13th inning, he had a hit to tie the game and then hit a home run in the 14th inning, which proved to be the winning margin.

1951: Led League in Fielding

In 1951, Jackie Robinson led the league in fielding among second basemen.

1951: Offered Manager Job for the Montreal Royals

Reportedly, before the 1951 season, Walter O'Malley offered Jackie Robinson the job of manager of the Montreal Royals at the end of Robinson's playing career.

1952: Career High On-Base Percentage

In 1952, Jackie Robinson had 104 runs, a .308 batting average, and 24 stolen bases. He recorded a career-high on-base percentage of .436. The Dodgers won the National League pennant before losing the 1952 World Series. On the television show Youth Wants to Know, Robinson challenged the Yankees' general manager, George Weiss, on the racial record of his team. The 1952 season was the last year Robinson was an everyday starter at second base.

1953: More Than 110 Runs

From 1947 to 1953 Jackie Robinson's career averaged more than 110 runs.

1953: Death Threats and Racial Advocacy

In 1953, Jackie Robinson had 109 runs, a .329 batting average, and 17 steals. The Dodgers led to another National League pennant but lost to the Yankees in the World Series. He served as editor for Our Sports magazine and addressed racial issues publicly, criticizing segregated hotels and restaurants, leading to some establishments integrating.

1954: All-Star Season

1954 was the last of six consecutive seasons from 1949 Jackie Robinson was an All-Star.

1954: Home Runs and Doubles

In 1954, Jackie Robinson had 62 runs scored, a .311 batting average, and 7 steals. On June 17, 1954, he hit two home runs and two doubles.

1955: World Series Championship

In 1955, Jackie Robinson contributed to the Dodgers' World Series championship.

1955: Dodgers Win World Series

In the autumn of 1955, Jackie Robinson won his only championship when the Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in the World Series. In 1955, he hit .256 and stole only 12 bases. The season was the worst year of Robinson's individual career. Don Newcombe became the first black major league pitcher to win twenty games in a year.

1956: Final Season and Retirement Agreement

In 1956, Jackie Robinson had 61 runs scored, a .275 batting average, and 12 steals. He exhibited effects of diabetes and lost interest in professional baseball. Robinson ended his major league career when he struck out to end Game 7 of the 1956 World Series. The Dodgers traded him to the New York Giants, but he had already agreed to become an executive with Chock full o'Nuts and retire, revealing his decision through Look magazine.

1956: Final Season

Jackie Robinson's final season playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers was in 1956.

January 5, 1957: Retired From Baseball

Jackie Robinson retired from baseball at age 37 on January 5, 1957.

1957: VP for Personnel at Chock full o'Nuts & NAACP Freedom Fund Drive Chair

In 1957, Jackie Robinson became the vice president for personnel at Chock full o'Nuts, making him the first Black American to serve as vice president of a major American corporation. He also chaired the NAACP's million-dollar Freedom Fund Drive.

October 1959: Robinson Protests Segregation at Greenville Airport

In October 1959, Jackie Robinson protested racial segregation by entering the whites-only waiting room at Greenville Municipal Airport. When asked to leave by airport police, Robinson refused and in a speech in Greenville, South Carolina, he urged black citizens to vote and protest their second-class citizenship.

1962: Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

In 1962, Jackie Robinson was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He was the first Black American player inducted into the Cooperstown museum. He encouraged voters to consider only his on-field qualifications.

1964: Freedom National Bank Founder

In 1964, Jackie Robinson helped found Freedom National Bank, a Black-owned and operated commercial bank based in Harlem, with Harlem businessman Dunbar McLaurin. He also served as the bank's first chairman of the board.

1965: Joins ABC's Major League Baseball Game of the Week

In 1965, Jackie Robinson became an analyst for ABC's Major League Baseball Game of the Week telecasts, making him the first Black American to hold such a position.

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1966: Robinson Becomes Special Assistant for Community Affairs

In 1966, Jackie Robinson became special assistant for community affairs when Nelson Rockefeller was re-elected governor of New York.

1966: Hired as General Manager for Brooklyn Dodgers

In 1966, Jackie Robinson was hired as the general manager for the short-lived Brooklyn Dodgers of the Continental Football League.

1967: Robinson Ends Service on NAACP Board

In 1967, Jackie Robinson ended his service on the NAACP's board, where he had been serving since 1957.

1970: Establishes Jackie Robinson Construction Company

In 1970, Jackie Robinson established the Jackie Robinson Construction Company to build housing for low-income families.

1971: Appointed to New York State Athletic Commission

In 1971, Jackie Robinson was appointed to the New York State Athletic Commission by Nelson Rockefeller.

October 15, 1972: Final Public Appearance at World Series

On October 15, 1972, Jackie Robinson made his final public appearance, throwing the ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 of the World Series at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati. He accepted a plaque honoring the twenty-fifth anniversary of his MLB debut.

1972: Commentator on Montreal Expos Telecasts

In 1972, Jackie Robinson served as a part-time commentator on Montreal Expos telecasts.

2011: Plaque Placed at Montreal Home

In 2011, the U.S. placed a plaque at Jackie Robinson's Montreal home to honor the ending of segregation in baseball, marking his 1946 season with the Montreal Royals.