This Day in History: Jackie Robinson Breaks Color Barrier

This Day in History: Jackie Robinson Breaks Color Barrier

This Day in History:, Jackie Robinson Breaks Color Barrier.

April 15, 1947.

The 28-year-old baseball player became the first African American to play for Major League Baseball.

The Georgia native stepped onto the grass of Ebbots Field in Brooklyn as a Brooklyn Dodger.

Two years later, the star infielder was named the National League's MVP as well as a batting champ.

He led his team to six National League pennants and the World Series in 1955.

Robinson was subjected to the racism of both players and baseball fans throughout his career.

Jim Crow laws forced him to dine at different restaurants and stay at different hotels than the rest of his team.

Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.

His number, 42, was the the first to be retired in 1997