The youngest of 5 children and grew up in poverty in Pasadena An accomplished tennis player In 1945 signed a contract to play for the Kansas City Monarchs Played Minor League Baseball for Montreal Royals in 1946 Called up to play for Brooklyn Dodgers in Major Leagues in 1947
Won Rookie of the Year in 1947 A six time All-Star between the years First African American TV sports analyst Added to Major League Baseball All Century Team in 1999 along with Cal Ripkin Jr, Joe DiMaggio, Willie Mays, and Ty Cobb