Jackie Robinson is a legend in the world of baseball. Born in 1919, Robinson became the first African American to play Major League Baseball when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, where he had a successful career as a first baseman. After striking out at the 1956 world series, Robinson was traded to the Dodgers’ rival, the New York Giants. By then he was 37 and was suffering from symptoms of diabetes, and he decided to retire instead.
By then, Robinson had made quite an impact on the sports world. His participation ended a 60-year period of segregation in professional baseball. Robinson was inducted into the baseball hall of fame in 1962.
In addition to his 10-year baseball career, Robinson had a close relationship with his wife, Rachel, and the pair had three children, Jackie Jr., Sharon and David. Often on the road, Robinson sometimes he felt a disconnect with his family: "My problem was my inability to spend much time at home. I thought my family was secure, so I went running around everyplace else. I guess I had more of an effect on other people's kids than I did my own." Regardless, there was an immense amount of love and respect within the family unit.
2_(Photo by Afro American Newspapers:Gado:Getty Images)
3_Jackie Robinson (1919 - 1972) (Back row, 4th from right), wearing a military uniform, stands with members of his family outside of a house, possibly in Georgia, c. 1942. (Photo by Hulton Archive:Getty Images)
5_Jackie Robinson poses for photographs with his children in January, 1950 in their home in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo Reproduction by Transcendental Graphics:Getty Images)
6_During break in filming 'The Jackie Robinson Story' (directed by Alfred E Green), American baseball player Jackie Robinson (1919 - 1972) sits with his son Jackie Jr and wife Rachel (partly obscured at extreme right) J. R. Eyerman : Contributor Getty
7_Jackie Robinson (1919 - 1972) of the Brooklyn Dodgers poses with his son Jackie Jr. behind the couch on which are seated his wife Rachel, his daughter Sharon, his mother Mallie and his grandmother, circa 1951. (Photo by Archive Photos:Getty Images)
8_Jackie Robinson (1919 - 1972), his wife Rachel, and their son, Jackie Jr, as they pose on the steps of their Brooklyn home, New York, New York, July 1949. (Photo by Nina Leen:Time & Life Pictures:Getty Images)
1_This intimate family picture was taken at Ebbets Field just before Jackie Robinson, Sr., joined his Brooklyn teammates in their contest against the Philadelphia Phillies tonight._Getty
4_Jackie Robinson (1919 - 1972), his wife Rachel, and their son, Jackie Jr, as they pose beside their car, Brooklyn, New York, New York, July 1949. (Photo by Nina Leen:Time & Life Pictures:Getty Images)
