In 1946, Jackie Robinson shattered color barriers during his only minor league season with the Montreal Royals, a Brooklyn Dodgers farm team. While he was warmly welcomed by Montreal fans, Robinson endured frequent instances of racism on the road. Despite that hostility, he excelled on the field. And on April 15, 1947, he made history with the Brooklyn Dodgers as the first Black player in Major League Baseball’s modern era, breaking the game’s long-standing color barrier.
Robinson’s influence reached far beyond the diamond. He became a powerful voice in the civil rights movement, using his platform to challenge racial injustice. For example, in 1952 he called out the general manager of the New York Yankees because the team hadn’t signed up any Black players. After his baseball career, he remained involved in the fight for equality, working with civil rights organizations and advocating for lasting change.
Historian Fred Frommer and former Senators stadium announcer Phil Hochberg delve into Robinson’s journey as both a pioneering athlete and trailblazer, bringing his story to life through rare photographs, archival video footage, and personal stories.
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