Jackie Robinson

Jack Roosevelt Robinson was the first African American to play Major League Baseball, starting at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. He was actively involved in the civil rights movement and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.Robinson attended UCLA, where he was a star athlete in both baseball and football. After graduating from UCLA, he played for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues. In 1945, Robinson signed with the Montreal Royals, a minor league team affiliated with the Dodgers, following his debut in MLB with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, ending racial segregation in professional baseball.

He was an All-Star six times and won the National League MVP Award in 1949, and has also helped the Dodgers win the 1955 World Series.

Jackie Robinson’s Personal Information

Jackie Robinson’s Early Life

Jackie Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia, on January 31, 1919, and was the youngest among five children. Robinson’s family moved to Pasadena, California, when he was a child.

Robinson was a star athlete in high school and college. He excelled in track and played football and baseball simultaneously.In 1939, Robinson was one of four players on the UCLA football team that went undefeated in the season, and Robinson finished with 12.2 yards per attempt on 42 carries. He also led the NCAA in punt return average in 1939 and 1940.

In 1940, Robinson won the NCAA championship in the long jump. He hit .097 in his only college baseball season, but in his first game, he went 4-for-4 and stole home twice.

Robinson also served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1944. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant and served in the segregated 761st Tank Battalion. After the war, Robinson signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers and became the first baseball player in Major League Baseball to break the color barrier.

Jackie Robinson’s Personal Life

Robinson met his future wife, Rachel Isum, while he was a senior at UCLA, and they married in 1946. The couple had three children together.

Throughout his life, Robinson has made significant contributions to the civil rights movement through his actions on and off the baseball field. His breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball opened doors for other African American players and significantly impacted further civil rights advancements.

Robinson retired from baseball in 1956. He later worked as a businessman and television analyst. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. He died in 1972 at the age of 53 due to a heart attack.

After Robinson's passing, President George W. Bush posthumously honored his contributions to American history and culture by awarding his widow, Rachel Robinson, the Congressional Gold Medal in 2003.

Jackie Robinson’s Family Background

Jackie Robinson was born into a humble family in Cairo, Georgia, on January 31, 1919. His parents, Mallie (née McGriff) and Jerry Robinson were sharecroppers and citizens of America. Jackie had four siblings, Edgar, Frank, Matthew (nicknamed "Mack"), and Willa Mae.

Matthew "Mack" Robinson was the older brother of Jackie Robinson. He is best known for winning a silver medal in the 200 meters at the 1936 Summer Olympics, breaking the Olympic record.

Jackie Robinson’s Wife

Jackie Robinson's wife was Rachel Isum Robinson. They met at UCLA and married on February 10, 1946.

Rachel was a professional former professor and registered nurse who continued her nursing career after Jackie retired from baseball, earning a master's degree and working as a researcher, clinician, professor, and director of nursing.

In 1972, she founded the Jackie Robinson Foundation, which provides educational and leadership opportunities for minority students. She has also co-authored a book about Jackie Robinson's life.

Rachel has also received numerous honors for her contributions to civil rights, education, and housing contributions, including the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award from Commissioner Bud Selig, the UCLA Medal from Chancellor Gene Block in 2009, and the Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017, and more.

She was also inducted into the Baseball Reliquary's Shrine of the Eternals in 2014.

Jackie Robinson’s Kids

Jackie and his wife, Rachel Robinson, were blessed with three children: Jackie Jr., Sharon, and David.

Jackie Robinson Jr. (born 18 Nov 1946) lived a complicated lifestyle and served in the U.S. Army. On June 17, he tragically died in a car accident at just 24. as per findagrave.com.

Sharon Robinson (born January 13, 1950) is an educational consultant for Major League Baseball and an author. She is presently the vice chairman of the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

She has written several books, including Jackie's Nine: Jackie Robinson's Values to Live By, Promises to Keep: How Jackie Robinson Changed America, Jackie Robinson: American Hero, Testing the Ice, Jackie's Gift: A True Story of Christmas, Hanukkah, Safe at Home, Slam Dunk!, and Under the Same Sun.

David Robinson (born 14 May 1952) is Jackie’s youngest son and a civil rights activist. He is presently the Director of the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

Jackie Robinson’s Social Media

Although Jackie Robinson died in 1972 and had no official accounts, his legacy lives on through social media. Fans of Robinson have created several fan pages dedicated to keeping his legacy.

Jackie Robinson’s Net Worth

Robinson had an estimated net worth of $6 million at his death, as per celebritynetworth.com.

His net worth came from multiple business ventures and his career salary, endorsements, and more.

Jackie’s six-acre estate in Stamford, Connecticut, was his most significant asset. He built the estate in 1955, but the local country club refused to admit him as a member. After he died in 1972, the estate was divided into four lots and sold off by his heirs, one of the last remaining lots sold in 2011 for $1.7 million.

Jackie Robinson Brand Ambassador

There is no exact information regarding Robinson being a Brand Ambassador. However, he had multiple endorsements, including Wheaties cereal and Chesterfield Cigarettes.

Jackie Robinson’s Investments

Jackie was interested in setting up businesses that would help people down the line, such as a clothing store called Jackie Robinson Clothiers, which was ultimately unsuccessful.

Robinson founded the Jackie Robinson Construction Company in 1960, specializing in building low-income housing.

He also founded a bank in 1963, the “Freedom National Bank” Unfortunately, the bank dissolved due to financial insolvency.

Jackie Robinson’s Career Stats

Jackie Robinson had a remarkable career, compiling 1,518 hits, 137 home runs, and 734 RBIs in 1,382 games. He batted .311 with a .409 on-base percentage and maintained a .474 slugging percentage.

Robinson was a 6-time All-Star and National League MVP in 1949. He helped the Brooklyn Dodgers win the 1955 World Series.

Here is a tabular representation of Jackie Robinson’s MLB career stats.

Source - MLB.com.

Jackie Robinson’s Achievements

Here is a tabular representation of Jackie’s Achievements so far.

Jackie Robinson’s Contract

Robinson’s last reported contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers was worth $31.5 thousand annually. as per baseballreference.com.

Jackie Robinson’s Diet

There is limited information available regarding Robinson’s diet. However, he was affected by Type-2 Diabetes and had to follow a rigorous routine. as per nytimes.com.

Jackie Robinson’s House

Jackie Robinson lived in two houses in New York City. The first house was located at 5224 Tilden Avenue in Brooklyn.

He lived there from 1947 to 1949 after he and his wife had difficulty finding homes in Brooklyn due to racism.

The second house was located at 112-40 177th Street in Addisleigh Park in Queens. He lived there from 1949 to 1955.

Jackie Robinson’s Cars

There is not much information available regarding Robinson’s cars.