Every 15 April, every player in Major League Baseball wears the same number: 42. It is the only number retired across the whole of MLB, and it belongs to Jackie Robinson, who broke baseball's colour line when he took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers on 15 April 1947.
He was far more than a symbol. Robinson was a Rookie of the Year, an MVP, a batting champion and a World Series winner who played with fearless, electric style. Explore our baseball collection for more diamond legends.
Jackie Robinson Fact File
| Full name | Jack Roosevelt Robinson |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 31 January 1919 |
| Place of birth | Cairo, Georgia, USA |
| Died | 24 October 1972, Stamford, Connecticut (aged 53) |
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Position | Second base (also first base and third base) |
| Bats / throws | Right / right |
| Nationality | American |
| MLB team | Brooklyn Dodgers (1947–1956) |
| Shirt number | 42 (retired across MLB in 1997) |
Career History
| Years | Team | Games | Hits | HR | Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1945 | Kansas City Monarchs (Negro leagues) | 37 | – | – | .376 |
| 1946 | Montreal Royals (International League) | – | – | – | – |
| 1947–1956 | Brooklyn Dodgers | 1,382 | 1,518 | 137 | .311 |
Dodgers figures are MLB regular season 1947–56 from Baseball-Reference. Since MLB now recognises Negro league stats, some sources add his 1945 season and quote a .313 career average.
Early Years in Pasadena
Born in Cairo, Georgia, Robinson grew up in Pasadena, California, and was a sporting all-rounder from the start. He lettered in four sports at Muir Tech and Pasadena Junior College, then became UCLA's first four-sport letterman, starring in baseball, basketball, football and track. In 1945 he played for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro leagues, hitting .376.
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The Breakthrough: 15 April 1947
Dodgers executive Branch Rickey signed Robinson and sent him to the Montreal Royals for 1946. The following spring he made his MLB debut at first base, becoming the first Black player in the modern major leagues. Facing hostility from crowds and opponents, he answered with his bat and his legs: 175 hits, 29 stolen bases and the very first Rookie of the Year award handed out by the Baseball Writers' Association.
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Peak Years: MVP and a World Series
Settled at second base, Robinson was magnificent in 1949, winning the National League batting title with a .342 average, driving in 124 runs, stealing 37 bases and taking the MVP award. He was an All-Star six years running from 1949 to 1954 and hit over .300 in six straight seasons.
His signature moment came in Game 1 of the 1955 World Series against the Yankees, when he stole home in the eighth inning with Yogi Berra catching. The Dodgers went on to win the Series in seven games, Brooklyn's only title. Stay warm in our Jackie Robinson Men's Hoodie.
Later Years and Legacy
Robinson retired after the 1956 season and was elected to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1962. In 1997, on the 50th anniversary of his debut, MLB retired 42 across every team, and since 2004 the league has marked Jackie Robinson Day every 15 April. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1984 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2005, both posthumously.
Honours
Team
- World Series champion (1955)
Individual
- Rookie of the Year (1947)
- NL MVP (1949)
- NL batting champion (1949, .342)
- 6× MLB All-Star (1949–1954)
Legacy
- Baseball Hall of Fame (1962)
- Number 42 retired across MLB (1997)
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (1984)
- Congressional Gold Medal (2005)
Away From the Game
Robinson married Rachel Isum in 1946. After his death, Rachel founded the Jackie Robinson Foundation in 1973, which continues to provide scholarships and mentoring to students across the United States.
FAQs
How old was Jackie Robinson when he died?
Jackie Robinson was 53 when he died on 24 October 1972. He was born on 31 January 1919.
Where was Jackie Robinson born?
He was born in Cairo, Georgia, and grew up in Pasadena, California.
How tall was Jackie Robinson?
He stood 5 ft 11 in, about 1.80 m.
What teams did Jackie Robinson play for?
He played for the Kansas City Monarchs (1945), the Montreal Royals (1946) and the Brooklyn Dodgers (1947–1956).
Why does every MLB player wear 42?
On Jackie Robinson Day, held every 15 April, all players wear 42 to mark the anniversary of his 1947 debut. The number has been retired across MLB since 1997.
What was Jackie Robinson's career batting average?
He hit .311 across his ten MLB seasons with Brooklyn, with a best of .342 in his 1949 MVP year.
Shop the Jackie Robinson Collection
Made to order in the UK, these designs honour one of sport's most important figures.
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Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Willie Mays Career Story and Hank Aaron Career Story.
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