In celebration of this day, we unearthed these images by legendary photographer Richard Meek from the SI Vault.
Photographer Richard Meek was on assignment for Sports Illustrated to cover the Brooklyn Dodgers’ game against the Milwaukee Braves at Ebbets Field on Thursday, Aug. 2, 1956. Meek photographed Jackie Robinson and the game using black-and-white film, which was processed.
Robinson went 1-for-4 in the 3–0 victory for the Dodgers.
In honor of Jackie Robinson Day, SI worked with the black-and-white negatives to unearth these images.
MLB All-Star Jackie Robinson Enters Ebbets Field
Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated
Jackie Robinson Speaks With Reporters
Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated
Jackie Robinson Runs to Home Plate
Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated
Jackie Robinson Swings at a Ball
Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated
Jackie Robinson Talks With All-Star Pitcher Carl Erskine
(Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated)
Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated
Jackie Robinson Prepares for a Pitch
Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated
Jackie Robinson Speaks With Reporter
Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated
Jackie Robinson Dashes to Third Base
Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated
Jackie Robinson Gathers With His Teammates
Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated
Jackie Robinson Zoned In at Home Plate
Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated
Jackie Robinson Sits After Dodgers’ Game
Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated
Jackie Robinson Greets Carl Furillo at Home Plate
Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated
Jackie Robinson Rests at First Base at Ebbets Field
Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated
Jackie Robinson Prepares for Infield Catch
Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated
Jackie Robinson Talks With a Teammate After Brooklyn’s Win
Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated
Jackie Robinson Poses for Picture With Teammates
Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated
Jackie Robinson Talks With a Teammate
Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated
Jackie Robinson in Locker Room Dodgers’ Win
Jackie Robinson Speaks With Reporters Before Dodgers’ Game
Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated
Jackie Robinson, Teammates Walk Off the Field After an Inning
Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated
Richard Meek’s Assignment Sheet
Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated
More MLB Coverage:
• The True Legacy of Jackie Robinson’s Dodgers Debut Is Complicated
• The Long Autumn of Jackie Robinson
• The Legend of Juan Soto: Inside the Mind of MLB’s Best Hitter
• Pulling Clayton Kershaw From the Perfect Game Made Too Much Sense
• Braves Sacrificed a World Series Repeat to Dominate the Decade