Historic Figure: Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson - Cooperstown, NY

Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson

Cooperstown, NY

N 42° 42.003 W 074° 55.389

Short Description: 

A statue of Jackie Robinson is the second of three on display in the lobby of the National Baseball Hall of Fame at 25 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY. Each person was a model of character and courage, each in their own way.

Long Description:

A life size bronze statue of Jackie Robinson depicts the Hall of Fame third baseman wearing his Brooklyn Dodger, a team for which he played for his entire 10 season major league career. Robinson is standing with his legs slightly spread on a circular bronze plinth. He has both hands behind his back and looking straight ahead.

The sign explains the purpose of the display:

               CHARACTER AND COURAGE
               Cast bronzes by Stanley Bleifeld

Becoming a Hall of Famer takes more than just a great baseball
career. Off-the-field challenges -- and how those challengers are
met -- reveal an inner character that serves men and women
throughout their lives. The life experiences of Lou Gerhig,
Jackie Robinson, and Roberto Clemente stand out above all.
Each faced personal and social obstacles with strength and
dignity that set an example of character and courage for all
others to follow.

Made possible through a generous donation by Robert Crotty

After playing for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro League and the Montreal Royals in the International League, Jackie Robinson became the first African-American to play for a major league baseball team when he started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947 at age 28. By doing so he broke the color barrier that allowed many other people of color to play professional baseball at the highest level of the sport. Robinson was chosen to break the color barrier not only for his immense baseball skills but also for have the temperament to withstand the racial abuse he was to receive from the public and other players. He retired at age 37 and compiled the following record:

Games = 1,382
At Bats = 4,877
Runs = 947
Hits = 1,518
Doubles = 273
Triples = 54
Home Runs = 137
Batting Average = .311

Jackie Robinson was elected to the national Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. He died on October 24, 1972 and is buried in Cypress Hills Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY.