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GEBlack History Month: Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson, born in 1919, joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 at the age of 28, becoming the first African American to play in MLB in the modern era. The same year, he was awarded Rookie of the Year. In 1949, he was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player, becoming the first black player to win the award, and in 1962, he became the first African American to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
After retiring from baseball, he went on to serve as the VP for Personnel at Chock Full O’Nuts, becoming the first African American to be named a Vice President of a major American Corporation. In 1964, he co-founded the Freedom National Bank of Harlem to support Black communities financially.
Throughout his life and career, he spoke out about racial injustice, often participating in picket lines and speaking at marches, including the March on Washington in 1963. In 1997, 50 years after Robinson’s historic MLB debut, the league retired his jersey number ‘42’. Every year on April 15, MLB celebrates Jackie Robinson Day, celebrating his life and accomplishments.
During Black History Month, we honor Jackie Robinson not only for changing the game of baseball, but for advancing civil rights in America. To see more coverage, click the link in our bio. | #GettyImages
📷: New York Daily News Archive
🎥: NBC News Archives l Time Image/Archive Films: Editorial l Hearst Newsreel l Grinberg Paramount, Pathe Newsreels/Sherman Grinberg Library
🎬💻: @jenius_creations
🎵: Bailar Contigo (Instrumental)’ by Raultrasound @triplescoopmusic
#BlackHistoryMonth #JackieRobinson #Dodgers #Baseball
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