The retirement of Jackie Robinson

Rather than accept a trade from the Brooklyn Dodgers to the much-despised, crosstown rival New York Giants, the iconic Jackie Robinson formally announces his retirement 67 years ago today.

In reality, Robinson – closing in on his 38th birthday – already is leaning toward retirement.

Even before the Dodgers trade him to the Giants on Dec. 13, 1956 for journeyman pitcher Dick Littlefield, Robinson accepts an executive role with the New York-based Chock full o'Nuts chain of coffee shops.

“There shouldn’t be any mystery about my reasons (for retiring),” Robinson tells Look magazine in 1957. “I’m 38 years old with a family to support. I’ve got to think of my future and our security. At my age, a man doesn’t have much future in baseball – and very little security. It’s as simple as that.

“I’m through with baseball because I know that, in a matter of time, baseball would have been through with me.”