Two years before breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball, Jackie Robinson signed a Minor League contract on this day in Dodgers history. Team president Branch Rickey announced the signing, along with that of Johnny Wright, on Oct. 23, 1945.

Prior to debuting with Triple-A Montreal with 1946, Robinson spent one year with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro League. His signing with the Dodgers organization stirred up some controversy as there were allegations a Negro League contract had been broken.

Robinson assured Rickey he was not been under formal contract with the Monarchs, and went on to bat .349/.468/.462 with 25 doubles, eight triples, three home runs and 66 RBI over 124 games for the Royals.

Robinson signed his first contract with the Dodgers on April 10, 1947, and made his historic MLB debut with Brooklyn five days later. He hit a lifetime .311/.409/.474 with 273 doubles, 54 triples, 137 home runs and 734 RBIs in 10 seasons with the Dodgers.

Robinson added 197 stolen bases, and helped guide Brooklyn to their lone World Series title in 1955. He set career highs in RBIs (124), hits (203), triple (12), stolen bases (37), slugging percentage (.522) and batting average (.342) during his 1949 MVP season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have continued to honor Robinson’s legacy through various initiatives and added to that in 2017 by installing a statue at Dodger Stadium. MLB recognizes Robinson’s legacy by having all players and coaches wear the iconic and retired No. 42, each season on April 15.

Mike Piazza named National League Rookie of the Year

On Oct. 23, 1993, former Dodgers catcher Mike Piazza was voted the unanimous winner of the National League Rookie of the Year Award. He was the franchise’s second consecutive winner in a streak that expanded to five straight Rookie of the Year winners.

Piazza hit .318/.370/.561 with 24 doubles, 35 home runs and 112 RBI during the 1993 season, en route to also earning the first of six consecutive All-Star Game selections and Silver Slugger Awards.

He became the first player to hit over .300, more than 30 home runs and collect at least 100 RBI during his first season since Wally Berger did so for the Boston Braves in 1930.

Piazza averaged more than 33 home runs and 105 RBI per season from 1993 to 1997, and during the final year of that stretch became the first player whose primary position was catcher to tally 200 hits in a single season.