Before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, baseball was divided between white players in the MLB and Black players in the Negro Leagues. African Americans lived with fewer rights and harsher treatment, yet Robinson’s debut changed the sport forever. Fans reacted with both racism and excitement, filling stadiums in record numbers. As more African Americans joined the MLB, the game evolved dramatically, and their contributions still shape baseball today. Many modern athletes draw inspiration from early African American players, and many of those pioneers are still considered some of the greatest of all time. Jackie Robinson’s courage not only transformed baseball but also created lasting impact on American sports and society.