Celebrating Jackie Robinson at 100

He was born January 31st, 1919 in rural Cairo, Georgia. He grew up in Los Angeles and made his mark in Brooklyn. The legacy of Jackie Robinson transcends town and state lines as he decisively proved that all Americans were welcome in America's national pastime.

There are many ways Jackie is honored: his #42 was the first to be retired across baseball. Many schools are named for him; the National League's Rookie of the Year award bears his name; and this statue with Jackie and his double play partner Pee Wee Reese stands proudly outside Brooklyn's current ballpark.

His talents energized and revitalized baseball -- his speed and daring paved the way for the future success of Lou Brock, Rickey Henderson and Tim Raines, all of whom would one day join him in Cooperstown.

Along with Babe Ruth and Marvin Miller, no figure stands taller in baseball history. And to look back at America's 20th century, is he the most important sports figure? Does he belong on a mythical Mount Rushmore of those 100 years? Besides FDR and Martin Luther King, who else symbolizes the century and remarkable story of that American century?

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