Celebrating 78 Years: Jackie Robinson’s Historic Debut in Jersey City

Seventy-eight years ago, Jackie Robinson took a monumental step towards shattering Major League Baseball’s color barrier, not in Brooklyn, but in Jersey City, New Jersey. On April 18, 1946, Robinson played his first game in organized baseball for the Montreal Royals against the Jersey City Giants at the former Roosevelt Stadium.

The game at Roosevelt Stadium set the stage for what would be a transformative career, both for Robinson and for American sports.

Though Roosevelt Stadium has been demolished, the legacy of that groundbreaking day remains influential in Jersey City.

In honor of Robinson’s legacy and the role Jersey City played in this historic moment, a statue stands in Journal Square. This statue not only commemorates Robinson’s courage and pioneering spirit but also serves as a symbol of the city’s significant contribution to a pivotal moment in sports history.