Jackie Robinson

In 1947 Jackie Robinson transformed professional sports by becoming the first African American player in major league baseball. A trailblazer for equal opportunity, Robinson endured torrents of abuse in his first season with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Some of his own teammates mounted an abortive effort to have him dropped from the roster, while opponents and spectators alike taunted, heckled, and harassed him. Robinson steeled himself and responded with electrifying play that carried the Dodgers to a National League championship and earned him honors as Rookie of the Year. One of the top draws in baseball during ten memorable seasons of play, Robinson led the Dodgers to six pennants and one World Series title. He also paved the way for black major leaguers such as Willie Mays and Hank Aaron and remained a staunch advocate for civil rights after retiring from the game.