On January 23, 1962, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) voted Brooklyn Dodgers legend Jackie Robinson into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Robinson received 77.5% (124 of 160) of all the ballots cast, earning him enshrinement in his first year of eligibility. Cleveland Indians great Bob Feller (93.8%) was also voted in, marking the first time in MLB history that two players were elected in their first year on the ballot.
Robinson and Feller joined Edd Roush and Bill McKechnie, who were previously selected by the Veterans Committee. The four were formally inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame later that year on July 23 in a ceremony in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball when he debuted for the Dodgers on April 15, 1947. He took home National League Rookie of the Year honors that season, and in 1949 was named NL MVP after hitting .342/.432/.528 with 16 home runs, 124 RBIs and 37 stolen bases.
Robinson spent the entirety of his 10-year career with the Dodgers, batting .311/.409/.474 with 137 home runs, 273 triples, 734 RBIs and 197 stolen bases. He ranks ninth on the Dodgers’ all-time batting average leaders list, and 13th all-time in doubles and stolen bases.
The Pasadena, Calif., native was a six-time All-Star and part of the 1955 Dodgers World Series championship team. Robinson had his No. 42 jersey retired by the organization on June 4, 1972, and five years later his iconic No. 42 was retired throughout Major League Baseball.
All players and on-field team personnel wear Robinson’s famed jersey number each year on April 15. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier, the Dodgers unveiled a statue of him at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2017.
Jackie Robinson retired after trade to Giants
Robinson’s career with the Dodgers ended on December 13, 1956 when he was traded to the New York Giants. However, rather than play for a rival, Robinson opted to retire so he could pursue business opportunities.
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