On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson took his position at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers, marking the end of racial segregation in Major League Baseball’s modern era. At 28 years old, Robinson was  first African-American to play in the major leagues since the late 1800s, breaking a "gentleman’s agreement" that had effectively barred Black players from the league for over 50 years.

The debut took place at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York, before a crowd of 26,623 spectators. Robinson didn’t record a hit in the game against the Boston Braves but he scored the go-ahead run in the Dodgers' 5-3 victory. His appearance on the roster was the culmination of a strategy developed by Dodgers president and general manager Branch Rickey, who sought an athlete capable of withstanding the racial hostility that would inevitably follow the integration of the sport.

Prior to joining the Dodgers, Robinson served as an officer in the U.S. Army and played for the Negro Leagues’  Kansas City Monarchs. His transition to the majors began in 1946 with the Montreal Royals, the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate, where he led the International League with a .349 batting average. Despite facing verbal abuse, physical threats, and opposition from some teammates and opponents, Robinson played in 151 games during his first season.

Robinson’s statistical performance in 1947 solidified his place in the league. He finished the season with a .297 batting average, 12 home runs, and a league-leading 29 stolen bases. His contributions earned him the MLB’s first Rookie of the Year Award, which now bears his name. In 1949, he was named the National League Most Valuable Player after leading the league with a .342 batting average and 37 stolen bases.

Robinson played 10 seasons in the majors, all with the Dodgers, and was a six-time All-Star. He was a member of the 1955 World Series championship team and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. In 1997, Major League Baseball retired his jersey number, 42, across all teams, ensuring that no other player would wear the number again. His debut remains a documented catalyst for the eventual integration of all professional sports in the United States.