LIFE Magazine's Classic Photos

Jackie Robinson, 1955
By Ralph Morse
Classic sports photos are different: In many instances, they don't fill out until later, the perfect image telling the multilayered story of the whole. Ralph Morse had already made searing images for LIFE during World War II. In 1955, he stuck with Jackie Robinson during the Brooklyn Dodgers' World Series showdown against their awe-inducing crosstown rivals, the Yankees. Robinson was, of course, the first black player in the major leagues, and he was terrific. Off the field, he played demure. On the field, he shouted the future. Morse caught Robinson rounding third base, and the Dodgers went on to beat the Yanks. A perfect picture suddenly meant more.

• The Book, "Life, the Classic Collection"