An excellent player, whose skills have been somewhat forgotten in light of his immense historical importance to the game.

A ferocious competitor, he has the key component in the Dodgers successful teams of the late forties and early fifties.

His numbers and impact to his team are what we celebrate him for.He was just the tool Branch Rickey used to break the color barrier we should not put his hall of fame induction as a beacon for racial equallity,that diminishes his impact as a player.He persevered through terrible adversity and so did others.He should be commended for his courage for staying the course,and a seperate hall of fame award should signify he and Branch Rickey's contribution.

This man will always have my respect.

The man who broke baseball's color barrier was also one of the best baserunners ever to play the game. Jackie was a six-time All-Star, the 1949 National League batting champion and twice led the league in stolen bases. His number 42 was retired across all of baseball in 1997.

Amazing player.

Helluva ballpalyer, his stats don't seem that great compared to some of the others, but generally in the pennant stretch he would do something important to help his team win in EVERY game.. Great clutch player.

Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers (1947 - 1956) was a great batter and fielder. Leading N.L. batter in 1949. Holds fielding mark for second baseman playing in more than 150 or more games with a .992 led N.L. in stolen bases in 1947 and 1949. Most Valuable player in 1949. Lifetime batting average .311. Joint record holder for most double plays by a second baseman, 137 in 1951. Led second baseman in double plays 1949 - 1952.

He had a couple of off years in a short career. But so what. Not too many people had what it took to become the first major league baseball player in 1947.

Although he was great on the field, he was even more impressive off of it. If one can't acknowledge that then they aren't a real baseball fan, and need to relearn their history of civil rights. Jackie Robinson made headlines 15 years before Marting Luther King, and Robinson had a huge impact on King and many other blacks. Definitely one of the greatest.

As someone else said here, and I'm sure many have said elsewhere, Robinson was an above-average hitter, but hardly Hall of Fame material. Unless, of course, we completely redefine what The Hall is supposed to represent. And then there's the small matter of having EVERY team retire Robinson's hallowed number...should we next build a ballpark in the shape of his head?

Jackie Robinson is my hero- plain and simple. Boy-wonder sports writers who were dumb CO majors in college will tell you how Robinson was "mistreated by racism of the time." They don't tell you about the brutal daily occurences he faced - He recieved a serial-killer like death threats in the form of letters from Cincy fans that threatened to kill his wife and infant son if he dare show his face as Crosley feild. He was routinely spiked on the basepaths, thrown at in the batter's box, and the brunt of abuse from batting practice to the last out. Ever try hitting a curveball under those circumstances? Ever think about what the pressure must have been like? Jackie went to UCLA and excelled at track and football (baseball was low on his list) He became an officer in the US Army. I've heard the naysayers: "Robinson's numbers aren't Hall of Fame material." True, Jackie's numbers represent a VERY GOOD ballplayer and a borderline Hall of Famer candidate. . .but consider this list- Rookie of the Year, a batting title, 5 time All Star, one MVP, lifetime .311 hitter, an above-average fielder, and one World Championship over the hated Yankees. But Jackie obtained this list under the worst possible conditions a human being could endure. He was NOT ALLOWED to fight back for the first 3 years. Jackie Robinson had more guts than a slaughterhouse. Robinson's life story is as compelling as anything I've ever read in literature. Whenever I feel anxiety or doubt, I think about Jackie Robinson. Only sad postcript to Robinson is that he was the death knell of the Negro Leagues. When is there going to be a national holiday after this guy?

Besides being an awesome player, he made great strides in American history toward greater racial equality.

The fact he accomplished what he did in such a hostile environment is remarkable.His name is right up there with Mays in baseball,and alongside Dr. Kings in civil rights leaders.

a hero and a role model.....the man had to sleep on a bus

When you view Jackie's career as a whole-- both major league (with his undeniable impact on the entire future of the game-- where would Aaron, Mays, Griffey, Jr. be without him) and his Negro league career-- he ranks among the best.

What Jackie Robinson did for society is beyond great. A fascinating player to watch. No one like him today.

Jackie Robinson was not only an excellent player, but also revolutionized the game by breaking the color barrier

Overcame all odds to be great

Jackie Robinson is one of the greatest baseball players of all time.