Signing on to history

Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey on Oct. 23, 1945

Today marks the 79th anniversary of Branch Rickey helping make right the decades of wrong as the Brooklyn Dodgers’ team president signs Jackie Robinson to a contract, marking the first time in the 20th century that a Black player will be allowed in so-called organized baseball.

Robinson plays the 1946 season with the Dodgers’ top farm team in Montreal before joining the Dodgers – and the major leagues – in 1947.

Robinson initially deals with racism and threats both on and off the field en route to playing 10 seasons for Brooklyn before retiring after the 1956 season.

His final totals over those 10 seasons include 1,518 career hits, a .313 batting average and a .410 on-base percentage.

Robinson also leads the Dodgers to six World Series, including their only championship in 1955.

He becomes a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 1962.