Although baseball today is full of players from numerous cultures, races and ethnic backgrounds, baseball in the early 20th century was heavily segregated.  From the 1880s to the late 1940s, the MLB existed without the presence of African-American players who were forced to play their careers in the Negro League.  However, in the late 1940s, Jackie Robinson helped tear down the racial division in baseball.

On this day, October 30th, in 1945, Jackie Robinson signed his first Major League contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers. After a stint in the minor leagues in 1946, Robinson went on to reach the MLB in 1947.

Robinson’s debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers came in 1947 and he went on to have an outstanding career.  Despite playing in a league where he was not completely accepted, Robinson made 6 All-Star appearances and won National League MVP honors in 1949.  In recognition of his invaluable contribution to baseball history, Robinson’s number is currently retired by all MLB teams.