Jackie Robinson

Jack Roosevelt Robinson (January 31, 1919 – October 24, 1972) became the first African American Major League Baseball player of the modern era in 1947. Robinson's achievement has been recognized by the retirement by each Major League team of his uniform number, 42.

Post-Dodgers

Robinson retired from the game on January 5, 1957. He had wanted to manage or coach in the major leagues, but received no offers. He became a vice-president for the Chock Full O' Nuts corporation instead, and served on the board of the NAACP till 1967, when he resigned because of the movement's lack of younger voices. In 1960, he involved himself in the presidential election, campaigning first for Hubert Humphrey, and then meeting both Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy: citing his record on Civil Rights, Robinson supported Nixon. After Nixon was elected in 1968, Robinson wrote that he regretted the endorsement. He campaigned diligently for Humphrey in 1968.

Related Topics:
January 5 - 1957 - Manage - Coach - NAACP - 1967 - 1960 - Presidential - Election - Hubert Humphrey - Richard Nixon - John F. Kennedy - 1968

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He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, his first year of eligibility, becoming the first African-American so honored. On June 4, 1972 the Dodgers retired his uniform number 42 alongside Roy Campanella (39) and Sandy Koufax (32). Robinson made his final public appearance on October 14, 1972 before Game 2 of the World Series in Cincinnati.

Related Topics:
Baseball Hall of Fame - 1962 - June 4 - 1972 - Dodgers - Roy Campanella - Sandy Koufax - October 14 - World Series - Cincinnati

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Robinson's final few years were marked by tragedy. In 1971, his elder son, Jackie, Jr., was killed in an automobile accident. Also, the diabetes that plagued him in middle age had left him virtually blind and contributed to his severe heart troubles. Jackie Robinson died in Stamford, Connecticut on October 24, 1972 and was interred in the Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York. For details, see Jules Tygiel's book, Baseball's Great Experiment.

Related Topics:
Diabetes - Stamford, Connecticut - October 24 - 1972 - Cypress Hills Cemetery - Brooklyn, New York

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In 1997 (the 50th anniversary of his major league debut), his number (42) was retired from all MLB teams. In 2004, Major League Baseball designated that April 15 each year would be marked as "Jackie Robinson Day" in all their ballparks.

Related Topics:
1997 - Anniversary - 2004 - April 15

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On October 29, 2003, the United States Congress posthumously awarded Robinson the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award the Congress can bestow. Robinson's widow accepted the award in a ceremony in the Capital Rotunda on March 2, 2005.

Related Topics:
October 29 - 2003 - United States Congress - Congressional Gold Medal - March 2 - 2005

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