Jackie Robinson History: April 15, 1997 - Baseball honors Jackie Robinson by retiring #42 for all teams July 14, 1987 - Rookie of the Year Award is renamed to honor Jackie Robinson October 24, 1972 - Jackie Robinson, 1st black baseball player, Brooklyn Dodgers, dies at 53 January 24, 1962 - Jackie Robinson is 1st Black elected to Baseball Hall of Fame January 5, 1957 - Dodgers' Jackie Robinson retires rather than be traded to New York Giants December 13, 1956 - Dodgers trade Jackie Robinson to Giants for pitcher Dick Littlefield and $35,000 Robinson retires October 8, 1953 - Birmingham Alabama, bars Jackie Robinson's Negro-White All-Stars from playing there Robinson gives in and drops white players from his group November 30, 1952 - Jackie Robinson charges New York Yankees with racism February 4, 1952 - 1st black executive of a major TV station (Jackie Robinson-WNBC New York) January 24, 1950 - Jackie Robinson signs highest contract ($35,000) in Dodger history November 18, 1949 - NL batting leader (.342) Jackie Robinson wins NL MVP September 19, 1947 - Jackie Robinson is named 1947 "Rookie of Year" September 17, 1947 - Jackie Robinson is named Rookie of Year by Sporting News June 24, 1947 - Jackie Robinson swipes home for 1st of 19 times in his career April 17, 1947 - Jackie Robinson bunts for his 1st major league hit April 15, 1947 - Jackie Robinson goes hitless in his major league debut April 11, 1947 - Jackie Robinson becomes 1st black in modern major-league baseball April 10, 1947 - Jackie Robinson becomes 1st black in major league baseball (Dodgers) April 18, 1946 - Jackie Robinson debuts as 2nd baseman for the Montreal Royals February 10, 1946 - 1st black pro-baseball player Jackie Robinson marries Rachel Isum October 23, 1945 - Jackie Robinson signs Montreal Royal contract
More Notable Birthdays on January 31:
1981 - Justin Timberlake, American Musician
1947 - Nolan Ryan, pitcher, Mets, Angels, Astros, 7 no-hitters, 5,714 Ks
1937 - Philip Glass, born in Baltimore, Maryland, minimal composer, Einstein on the Beach
1931 - Ernie Banks, Mr Cub - Chicago Cubs, Hall-of-Famer, 1st baseman