Jackie Robinson Family Album: 9 Photos of the Baseball Player With His Loved Ones

Jackie Robinson is a legend in the world of baseball. Born in 1919, Robinson became the first African American to play Major League Baseball when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, where he had a successful career as a first baseman. After striking out at the 1956 world series, Robinson was traded to the Dodgers’ rival, the New York Giants. By then he was 37 and was suffering from symptoms of diabetes, and he decided to retire instead.

By then, Robinson had made quite an impact on the sports world. His participation ended a 60-year period of segregation in professional baseball. Robinson was inducted into the baseball hall of fame in 1962.

In addition to his 10-year baseball career, Robinson had a close relationship with his wife, Rachel, and the pair had three children, Jackie Jr., Sharon and David. Often on the road, Robinson sometimes he felt a disconnect with his family: "My problem was my inability to spend much time at home. I thought my family was secure, so I went running around everyplace else. I guess I had more of an effect on other people's kids than I did my own." Regardless, there was an immense amount of love and respect within the family unit.

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