75 Years of Jackie Robinson’s Debut: When Late Chadwick Boseman Opened Up on How MLB Icon Inspired Him

April 15 marks the 75th anniversary when MLB icon Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in the game of baseball. Though Robinson didn’t play for long in Major League Baseball, he had a major impact on the game.

He was so iconic that later in the 21st century, the late Chadwick Boseman starred in his biographical drama and shared Robinson’s journey with the entire world. Notably, in 2013, Boseman portrayed legendary Jackie Robinson in a film named ’42’.

Born in 1919, Robinson breathed his last in 1972. But his story is still relevant in today’s time, even after so many years. Playing as a first baseman, Robinson broke the baseball color line when he started for the Brooklyn Dodgers (now known as Los Angeles Dodgers). And after playing his role in ’42’, Boseman felt highly inspired by Robinson.

Jackie Robinson changed the baseball world

Playing in the big league was not easy for Robinson. As per NBC, when the Dodgers’ players knew that Robinson will be playing with them. They filed a petition against him. But thanks to the Dodgers’ manager, who stood by Robinson and let him play his first MLB game.

When Chadwick Boseman aka King T’Challa of Wakanda agreed to portray Jackie Robinson on the silver screen, even he wouldn’t have imagined the kind of impact Robinson had on baseball. But the late actor was in awe of the iconic MLB player after getting to know about him.

While talking to MLB, Boseman revealed that he would forever be indebted to Robinson for inspiring him. He said, “I’m responsible for being the face of Jack and portraying all of the characteristics, qualities, and principles that the man lived under to be able to walk in somebody else’s shoes. It teaches you something… So, I definitely want to take those lessons from Jackie Robinson with me into the rest of my life.”

However, the ’42’ actor was not able to carry those lessons for a long time. And he left the world in 2020, after losing his battle with cancer. The name ’42’ itself represents the iconic number of Jackie Robinson.

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While playing in Major League Baseball, Robinson smashed 141 home runs for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Later, in the 1956 season, he bid farewell to the game. Every year on April 15, the MLB players pay their tribute to the legendary slugger.

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