From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
Robinson, Jack "Jackie" Roosevelt
(born: January 31, 1919 - died: October 24, 1972)Originally from Cairo, Georgia, Jackie Robinson was the first African American baseball player in the major leagues. He began his professional baseball career in 1944 while in the Army as a member of the post team; he was a lieutenant stationed at Camp Breckinridge, KY. It was there in 1945 that Robinson signed his baseball contract with a Brooklyn Dodgers farm club. In 1947 Robinson became a member of the Dodgers major league team.
For more see Kentucky Historical Marker Database "Baseball Great" [search marker #1762]; Alli Bramel, "Baseball Great," at the Kentucky Historical Society website; the Lexington TV station WKYT's story, "Ky. connection to Jackie Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier"; the Kentucky Encyclopedia 2000.; and many other online stories and references.
