Jackie Robinson

Robinson, Jackie (Jack Roosevelt Robinson; 1919–72), U.S. baseball player. A lettermen in 4 sports at UCLA, Robinson became the first African-American to be admitted into baseball's major leagues (1947). Known for his exceptional hitting and base-stealing ability, he was named Rookie of the Year and won the National League's Most Valuable Player award once (1949). Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers (1947–56) and led them to a championship in 1955. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.