"Jackie Robinson's impact was greater than just that of baseball. He was a transforming agent and in the face of such hostility and such meanness and violence, he did it with such amazing dignity.

Two players won the award in 1979. One player was selected as Major League Rookie of the Year in 1947 and 1948. The policy of naming a player from each league was inaugurated in 1949.

But then again, there haven't been many people like Jackie Robinson. "A life is not important," he said, "except in the impact it has on other lives." Jackie Robinson led the way for generations ...