Robinson, Jackie

Originally from Georgia, Jackie Robinson was the first African American baseball player in the major leagues. He began his professional baseball career in 1944 while in the Army as a member of the post team; he was a lieutenant stationed at Ft. Breckinridge, KY. It was there in 1945 that Robinson signed his baseball contract with a Brooklyn Dodgers farm club. In 1947 Robinson became a member of the Dodgers major league team.

For more see Kentucky Historical Marker Database "Baseball Great" [search marker #1762]; and the Kentucky Encyclopedia 2000.