Hall of Fame catcher who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1948 to 1957; he was an 8-time All-Star, 3-time National League MVP, and helped lead the Dodgers to a World Series Championship in 1955.
He dropped out of school at 16 to play in the Negro League.
His baseball career was tragically cut short when a 1958 car accident left him partially paralyzed.
Was married three times, to Bernice Ray, Ruthe Willis, and Roxie Doles, and had five children along the way.
Along with Jackie Robinson, he was one of the first black players to break the baseball color line.
