While the likes of Sandy Koufax and Don Newcombe dominated from the mound, Robinson was placed all over the field and shined in the batter’s box. What’s more, his rise to stardom was not only a remarkable baseball accomplishment, but Robinson is responsible for breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball.
Robinson made his MLB debut during the 1947 season, and was rewarded by the Dodgers with a $21,000 contract two years later. The contract would be worth $210,000 in today’s economy.
The 1949 contract Robinson signed was recently auctioned, per ESPN’s Darren Rovell:
Jackie Robinson’s 1949 contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers sold for $276,000 early Monday morning.