Jackie Robinson Signs with Montreal Royals in Historic 1945 Agreement
The page from the January 1946 issue of Baseball Magazine highlights a significant moment in baseball history. On October 23, 1945, Jackie Robinson, acknowledged as a former star in both baseball and football at UCLA, formally signed a contract with the Montreal Royals. This event marked a pivotal milestone, as Robinson became the first African American player in organized baseball, breaking racial barriers in the sport. Present at this signing were notable figures including Romeo Gauvreau, the vice-president of the Royals; Hector Racine, the president of the Royals; and Branch Rickey Jr., who served as the head of the Brooklyn Dodgers' farm system, of which Montreal was a member. The Kansas City Monarchs, a prominent team in the Negro Leagues, had been Robinson's last affiliation before joining the Royals.