Never-Before-Seen Photos of Jackie Robinson From 1956

Deep from the Sports Illustrated Vault, we unearthed these images from legendary photographer Richard Meek.

Wilton Jackson | Apr 15, 2022

Never-Before-Seen Photos of Jackie Robinson From 1956 /

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

Robinson_001A — Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated

Jackie Robinson Speaks With Reporters

Brooklyn Dodgers second baseman Jackie Robinson (42) spoke with reporters in the locker room before a game against the Milwaukee Braves on Thursday, August 2, 1956, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Brooklyn defeated Milwaukee, 3-0. — Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated

Jackie Robinson Runs to Home Plate

Brooklyn Dodgers second baseman Jackie Robinson (42) approaches his teammates, right fielder Carl Furillo (6) and first baseman Gil Hodges (14), and home plate umpire Bill Engeln while jogging to home plate for an attempt at-bat against the Milwaukee Braves on Thursday, August 2, 1956, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Brooklyn defeated Milwaukee, 3-0. — Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated

Jackie Robinson Swings at a Ball

Brooklyn Dodgers second baseman Jackie Robinson (42) swings at the ball from a Milwaukee Braves pitcher during the game on Thursday, August 2, 1956, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Brooklyn defeated Milwaukee, 3-0. — Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated

Jackie Robinson Talks With All-Star Pitcher Carl Erskine

Brooklyn Dodgers second baseman Jackie Robinson (42) talks to right-handed pitcher Carl Erskine at the game against the Milwaukee Braves on Thursday, August 2, 1956, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Brooklyn defeated Milwaukee, 3-0. — Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated

(Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated)

Jackie Robinson Prepares for a Pitch

Robinson_006 — Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated

Jackie Robinson Speaks With Reporter

Robinson_007 — Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated

Jackie Robinson Dashes to Third Base

Robinson_008-1 — Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated

Jackie Robinson Gathers With His Teammates

Robinson_009A — Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated

Jackie Robinson Zoned In at Home Plate

Robinson_010 — Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated

Jackie Robinson Sits After Dodgers’ Game

Robinson_011-1 — Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated

Jackie Robinson Greets Carl Furillo at Home Plate

Robinson_012 — Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated

Jackie Robinson Rests at First Base at Ebbets Field

Robinson_013-1 — Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated

Jackie Robinson Prepares for Infield Catch

Robinson_014 — Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated

Jackie Robinson Talks With a Teammate After Brooklyn’s Win

Robinson_015 — Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated

Jackie Robinson Poses for Picture With Teammates

Robinson_016-1 — Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated

Jackie Robinson Talks With a Teammate

Robinson_017-1 — Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated

Jackie Robinson in Locker Room Dodgers’ Win

Robinson_018

Jackie Robinson Speaks With Reporters Before Dodgers’ Game

Robinson_019 — Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated

Jackie Robinson, Teammates Walk Off the Field After an Inning

Robinson_020 — Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated

Richard Meek’s Assignment Sheet

Robinson_021 — 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

Published Apr 15, 2022