Home » Inductees » 1991 » Jackie Robinson
Name: Jack Roosevelt Robinson
Nickname: Jackie
Induction year: 1991
Born (date, year, place): January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia
Died (date, year, place): October 24, 1972 in Stamford, Connecticut
Primary Position: Second Base
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Years Played: 1946 to 1956
Teams Played: Montreal Royals, Brooklyn Dodgers
Prior to breaking Major League Baseball's colour barrier in 1947, Jackie Robinson starred at second base for the Montreal Royals, a Brooklyn Dodgers farm team, in 1946. It's widely believed that Dodgers GM Branch Rickey stationed Robinson in Montreal to ease his young prospect into integrated baseball. Playing his home games in a city with a reputation for racial tolerance would provide Robinson with relative tranquility for half the schedule. On the field, Robinson excelled, leading the International League in batting average, walks and runs, and spurring the Royals to their first Junior World Series triumph.
When the Royals clinched the championship at Delorimier Stadium, the fans chanted Robinson's name and hoisted him on their shoulders. Tears of jubilation spilled from the baseball pioneer's eyes. He had endured a lot that season. Racism was palpable in International League cities like Syracuse and Baltimore, but the taunts had intensified in Louisville, the city Montreal opposed in the Junior World Series.
After the celebration appeared over, Robinson emerged from the clubhouse, only to have adoring fans chase him down the street, wanting to touch their hero one last time. The scene inspired Pittsburgh Courier correspondent, Sam Maltin, to write, "It was the first time that a white mob chased a black man down the street, not out of hate, but because of love." Moved by the affection of Montrealers after the Junior World Series triumph, Robinson remarked, "This is the city for me. This is paradise." These words have been immortalized on a statue of Robinson that still stands outside of Montreal's Olympic Stadium. Jackie was elected to Cooperstown on January 23, 1962 and Inducted on July 23, 1962
Career Major League Statistics
G AB R H D T HR RBI TB BB SO SB OBP SLG AVG
1382 4877 947 1518 273 54 137 734 2310 740 291 197 .409 .474 .311
To view season by season MLB statistics click HERE.
← Roy Miller Early Recorded Baseball Game →