A portrait of Jackie Robinson’s life will be showcased in the new film, 42. Starring Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson, the film takes a look at the trials and tribulations Robinson faced when he broke the racial barrier in Major League Baseball.
In honor of Robinson’s legacy and the film, we have compiled a list of the 10 things you didn’t know about Jackie Robinson.
1. Robinson was traded to the New York Giants at the end of his career, but he decided to retire instead of playing any team except the Dodgers.
2. Jackie Robinson was the MLB’s first Rookie of the Year.
3. Jackie Robinson refused to sit in the back of the bus while in the U.S. Army. He faced court-martial, but was later honorably discharged.
4. Jackie Robinson starred as himself in the movie based on his life, The Jackie Robinson Story in 1950.
5. Jackie Robinson’s brother, Matthew (Mack), won a silver medal in the 200-meter dash in the 1936 Olympics, finishing second to Jesse Owens.
6. Jackie Robinson suffered from illnesses in middle age. He was partially blind and was diagnosed with diabetes and heart disease.
7. Jackie Robinson was the first player in UCLA history to participate in baseball, basketball, football and track.
8. Jackie Robinson was partially named after President Teddy Roosevelt, who died 25 days before he was born. His middle name is Roosevelt.
9. Jackie Robinson created the Jackie Robinson Construction company in 1970 to build homes for low income families.
10. Jackie Robinson was once a teammate of Satchel Paige in the Negro Leagues.
