Jackie Robinson

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On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson put on his first Brooklyn Dodgers uniform (number 42) and broke the Major League Baseball "color line". Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey signed a contract with Robinson to play for the team on October 23, 1945. Robinson then spent a year on a minor league team to sharpen his skills. Rickey, who called the move baseball's "great experiment," chose Robinson because of his excellent athletic record and strength of character. The first player to "cross the color line" would have to be able to withstand intense public scrutiny and to avoid confrontation even when met with insults and hostility.




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