1982 Jackie Robinson

On August 2, 1982, the U.S. Postal Service issued a 20-cent commemorative stamp honoring Jackie Robinson in Cooperstown, New York. It was the fifth stamp in the Black Heritage series, which began in 1978 with a stamp honoring Harriet Tubman, and the first U.S. postage stamp specifically honoring a baseball player.

Jackie Robinson (1919–1972) broke modern Major League Baseball’s color barrier when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. After serving in the Army during World War II and playing for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Leagues, Robinson joined the Dodgers organization. He endured racial abuse, threats, and opposition to integration while establishing himself as one of baseball’s outstanding players. He won the inaugural Rookie of the Year Award in 1947, earned National League Most Valuable Player honors in 1949, and was selected to six National League All-Star teams. In 1962, he became the first African American elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Designed by Jerry Pinkney, the stamp combines a portrait of Robinson with a smaller action scene showing him stealing home against the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field on August 22, 1948. The design recognizes both his baseball achievements and his enduring significance in the struggle for racial equality.

A total of 164,235,000 stamps were issued at 20 cents each, representing a total face value of $32,847,000. The stamp is cataloged as Scott 2016.