On October 30, 1945, Jackie Robinson made history by signing a contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The event marked the breaking of the color barrier in baseball, a sport that had long been segregated.
Although he was reportedly “thrilled” to be in the majors, it wasn’t an easy transition. Robinson had to deal with opposition from major league owners, their players, and even members of his own team.
Nonetheless, in 1947, Robinson was named the second most admirable American, coming in second to singer and actor Bing Crosby. He also won the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s first Rookie of the Year Award.
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