was the first black man to play in the major leagues, ending six decades of racial segregation, and a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Fittingly, he has become the first to be honored with a statue at Dodger Stadium. It was unveiled Saturday afternoon on the 70th anniversary of his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Two years ago on Jackie Robinson Day, owner and chairman Mark Walter suggested a sculpture belonged at Dodger Stadium of the six-time All-Star second baseman who starred when the team was in Brooklyn.
“He just felt it was an idea whose time had come,” said Janet Marie Smith, the team's senior vice president of planning and development.