Jackie Robinson was born in south Georgia to a family of farmers. He was an excellent athlete. In college, he played baseball, basketball, football and ran track.

Jackie Robinson began playing professional baseball in 1945. At that time, baseball teams were still segregated. Blacks and whites did not play on the same team. He played for one year with the Negro Baseball League.

The next year, he began playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Jackie was the first African American to play baseball in the major leagues. This was a hard job because many people did not want him to play with the white people.

Jackie Robinson scored 12 homeruns the first year he played for the Dodgers. He was named Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player. Robinson played for the Dodgers for ten years.

Jackie Robinson has been honored in many ways. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The United States Post Office even made a stamp with his picture on it. Jackie Robinson helped to make baseball a better sport.