That’s Baller: Jackie Robinson’s First MLB Contracts Are Worth $36 Million

Jackie Robinson’s legacy, influence and imprint on American History is priceless. As the first African American to play Major League Baseball in the 20th Century, you can only imagine what a big deal it was for him to sign a professional contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Fast forward to 2019, the original signed contract is now up for auction and opened with a starting bid of $5 million. The 1947 contract is being auctioned along with Jackie’s 1945 contract with the Dodgers Minor League team, the  Montreal Royals. The pairhave been appraised at a value of $36 million and is expected to be a big hit at the auction. It is being reported that ten percent of the final sale price will be donated to the Jackie Robinson Foundation which provides scholarships to minority youth for their college education. 

Robinson is most notably known for breaking the color barrier in MLB sports history. However, he should also be remembered as a stellar athlete and champion for the advancement of Civil Rights. Earning Rookie of the Year in 1949, several All-Star and MVP honors throughout his ten year professional career and was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. His perseverance and bravery to play professional baseball at a time when racial bias and tensions ran rampant throughout the United States, helped pave the way for the Civil Rights Movement.