Gallery: Jackie Robinson Through the Years

Jackie Robinson, as a young boy, poses while sitting on a chair, circa 1925.

Jackie Robinson shoots the ball while practicing for the UCLA basketball team in 1939. In two years at UCLA, Robinson became a four-letter athlete in track and field, football, basketball and baseball—the first and only in the school’s history.

Jackie Robinson served in the "Black Panthers" 761st Tank Battalion during World War II but never saw combat. He was nearly court-martialed for refusing to sit in the back of a bus.

Jackie Robinson flashes a smile while playing shortstop for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues.

Jackie Robinson signs with the Montreal Royals, alongside Royals president Hector Racine, Branch Rickey Jr. and Royals vice president Romeo Gauvreau, in 1945.

Jackie Robinson marries Rachel Isum at the Independent Church in Los Angeles on Feb. 10, 1946.

Montreal outfielder George Shuba congratulates teammate Jackie Robinson as he crosses the plate after hitting a home run in the third inning against the Jersey City Giants at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City, N.J., during his professional debut on April 18, 1946.

Jackie Robinson signs his contract to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 10, 1947.

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson's first day in the majors, he lined up with teammates (from left) John Jorgensen, Pee Wee Reese and Ed Stanky.

Dodgers manager Leo Durocher shakes hands with Jackie Robinson prior to an exhibition game with the Montreal Royals in Havana, Cuba, on March 31, 1947. Following Robinson's promotion to the Dodgers, Durocher addressed the racial tension in the team's clubhouse by informing his players, "I don't care if the guy is yellow or black, or if he has stripes like a ****** zebra. I'm the manager of this team and I say he plays."

Jackie Robinson poses with Phillies manager Ben Chapman before a game on May 9 ,1947. Weeks earlier, Chapman had shouted racist obscenities at Robinson from the Phillies dugout. Branch Rickey later recalled that Chapman "did more than anybody to unite the Dodgers."

The architect of the Brooklyn Dodgers dynasty, Branch Rickey, has Jackie Robinson sign another contract before the 1948 season.

Jackie Robinson steals home against Braves pitcher Bill Voiselle and catcher Bill Salkeld on Aug. 22, 1948 at Ebbets Field.

Jackie Robinson is helped by the Dodgers trainer and third base coach after being struck in the head by a pitch during a game in the 1949 season in Brooklyn.

Roy Campanella, Larry Doby, Don Newcombe and Jackie Robinson pose together during the 16th annual All-Star Game, which took place at Ebbetts Field in Brooklyn, N.Y., on July 12, 1949. It was the first All-Star Game to feature black players.

Jackie Robinson steps up to bat during a game against the Pirates at a packed Ebbets Field on Aug. 28, 1949.

Jackie Robinson poses with his 1949 NL MVP award. Robison batted .342 with 16 home runs, 124 RBI and 37 stolen bases that season.

Jackie Robinson greets members of the UCLA basketball team after they defeated City College of New York on Dec. 28, 1949 in New York City. A UCLA alum, Robinson became the school's first athlete to win varsity letters in four sports: baseball, basketball, football, and track.

Roy Campanella, Don Newcombe and Jackie Robinson pose together circa 1950. Campanella joined the Dodgers in 1948, and Newcombe the following year.

Stan Musial, Gil Hodges, Jackie Robinson and Ralph Kiner pose before the start of the All-Star Game at Briggs Stadium in Detroit on July 10, 1951. The National League won 8-3.

The Dodgers, including (from left) Wayne Terwilliger, Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Preacher Roe, Chuck Dressen and Carl Erskine, celebrate in the clubhouse after defeating the Phillies in 14 innings to tie the Giants for first place in the National League on Sept 30, 1951.

Jackie Robinson poses for a portrait in 1952. Robinson had a career-high .440 OBP that season.

Roy Campanella and Pee Wee Reese welcome Jackie Robinson at home plate after his first inning two-run homer against the Pirates at Ebbets Field on April 15, 1954.

Jackie Robinson steals home plate against Yogi Berra during Game 1 of the 1955 World Series on Sept. 28, 1955. The Brooklyn Dodgers lost the game 6-5, but went on to beat the New York Yankees 4-3 in the series.

Jackie Robinson with wife, Rachel, and their son David at their home in Stamford, Conn., on Dec. 13, 1956, the day Robinson was traded from the Dodgers to the rival New York Giants. Robinson refused to report to the Giants and retired instead.

Jackie Robinson waves goodbye as he leaves Ebbets Field for the last time in January 1957. Robins retired at the age of 37, ending his major league career after 10 seasons.

Jackie Robinson becomes the first black player inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame on July 23, 1962. He was inducted in his first year of eligibility.

Jackie Robinson hits a punching bag held by Muhammad Ali, then Cassius Clay, in a New York gym in March 1963. Less than a year later, Clay would win the world heavyweight title with a victory over Sonny Liston.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jackie Robison discuss race relations in Birmingham, Ala., on May 14, 1963. The men shared a belief in pacifism in the face of intolerance.

Clude Sukeforth, the scout who played a major role in bringing Jackie Robinson to the major leagues, speaks with Robinson during a luncheon honoring Robinson in New York on July 19, 1972.

Jackie Robinson makes his final public appearance, as he throws out the ceremonial first pitch of Game 2 of the World Series between the Oakland Athletics and the Cincinnati Reds, alongside Commissioner Bowie Kuhn on Oct. 15, 1972. Robinson would die of a heart attack nine days later at just 53 years old.

New Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Kirby Puckett and his son, Kirby, Jr., look at the Jackie Robinson exhibit as they tour the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., on May 3, 2001.