Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Sports Desk • Baseball

Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson (1919–1972) was an American professional baseball player who became the first Black player to appear in Major League Baseball in the modern era.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s colour barrier on April 15, 1947. His legacy as a Hall of Fame player and civil rights advocate is recognized across North America.

What it is

Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play in MLB in the modern era. He debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, ending baseball’s long-standing colour line. Robinson played for the Dodgers from 1947 to 1956, primarily as an infielder and outfielder.

Why it matters

Robinson’s breakthrough is one of the most important events in American sports history. It opened the door for Black athletes in professional baseball and became a symbol of the broader civil rights movement. MLB later retired his number 42 across all teams and commemorates Jackie Robinson Day each April 15.

Key details

Robinson finished his MLB career with a .311 batting average and was inducted into the Hall of Fame. In 1997, MLB retired number 42 league-wide. Jackie Robinson Day is observed annually on April 15, with players wearing number 42 to honour his legacy.

In short

  • First Black MLB player in the modern era (1947).
  • Career batting average .311.
  • Number 42 retired league-wide in 1997.
  • Jackie Robinson Day observed each April 15.
Canadian angle

Jackie Robinson’s debut is a landmark in North American sports history and is widely recognized in Canada as part of the shared history of baseball and civil rights in the United States and Canada.

Quick questions

Who is Jackie Robinson?
Jackie Robinson was an American baseball player who became the first Black player in Major League Baseball in the modern era.
Jackie Robinson number
His most associated number was 42. MLB retired number 42 across the league in 1997.
Jackie Robinson day
Jackie Robinson Day is observed in Major League Baseball on April 15 each year to honour his debut and legacy.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Robinson
    Supports: Birth/death dates, first MLB appearance, Brooklyn Dodgers debut, and identity as first Black MLB player in the modern era.
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jackie-Robinson
    Supports: Biography, debut on April 15, 1947, Dodgers career from 1947 to 1956, and career batting average.
  3. National Park Service — https://www.nps.gov/people/jackie-robinson.htm
    Supports: Birth/death details and family background including youngest of five children.
  4. National Baseball Hall of Fame — https://www.baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/robinson-jackie
    Supports: Jackie Robinson Day on April 15 and his historical significance.
  5. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/athletes/jackie-robinson
    Supports: Spouse, children, number 42 retirement, and annual Jackie Robinson Day observance.
  6. Major League Baseball — https://www.mlb.com/player/jackie-robinson-121314
    Supports: Player profile including full name, debut date, college, and Hall of Fame status.