Jackie Robinson - Baseball Royalty
A Jackie Robinson jersey is a way of celebrating the courage and skill of the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. The number 42 on the back of a Robinson Jersey stands for strength in the face of adversity, and it’s no wonder it has become hallowed throughout the sport. Jackie Robinson started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, changing the game for the better from the moment he stepped out of the dugout. Beyond the adversity he had to overcome simply because of the color of his skin, Jackie Robinson was also one of the most talented players in the game in the years he played between 1947 and 1956. These factors combined make a Jackie Robinson baseball jersey important both in not just sports history, but American History itself.
Because of the barriers to entry to African American players into the league and otherwise, by the 1955 season, Robinson was already 37 years old. Despite his age, Jackie donned his jersey and led the Brooklyn Dodgers to a world championship over the New York Yankees. In his preceding seasons, Robinson led the team to several close calls at the title, including in 1952 when they lost in 7 games to the Yankees in the world series. Despite their 1955 World Series win, Robinson’s age and advancing diabetes were slowing him down, and he was starting to lose interest in the game. At the end of the 1956 season, following a frustrating strike out to lose game 7 of the world series, Robinson was traded to the Dodgers arch-rival team, the New York Giants.
Unbeknownst to the Dodgers, who had just traded him, Jackie Robinson retired from baseball following the 1956 season. Because becoming the first black player in the MLB wasn’t enough for him, Robinson then became the first black American to become a vice president of a major corporation. Jackie served as vice president in the Chock Full o’Nuts company for a number of years following his departure from the sport of baseball. He was of course inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, and the league’s rookie of the year award was renamed the “Jackie Robinson Award,” as he had won it himself his momentous rookie year. A Jackie Robinson jersey holds so much meaning in the world of baseball and beyond.
Beyond ushering in an era of more equality in baseball, Jackie Robinson has a lasting legacy both in baseball and beyond. His aggresive playing style in part helped bring about a new style in MLB, one of more strategic offensive runs, steals, and aggressive plays. Previously there was a heavy reliance on power hitters. Robinson stole 197 bases in his career, leading some to call him the father of modern base stealing. In addition to his legendary baseball career, when he wasn’t in a jersey, Jackie Robinson was an icon of the Civil Rights movement, participating in 1963’s March on Washington and more. As such, a Jackie Robinson jersey is important in the civil arena as well.
While an authentic Jackie Robinson jersey worn by the man himself will likely set you back a cool 2.5 million dollars at an auction, Custom Throwback Jerseys is your source for a high quality Jackie Robinson replica jersey. If you want a Jackie Robinson Dodgers jersey of any type, we’ve got you covered with hand stitched numbers and quality that will last for seasons and seasons. Whether or not you’re a fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers, a Jackie Robinson jersey fits in any baseball jersey collection - get yours today!