A stretch of the 210 Freeway will be named the Jackie Robinson Memorial Highway under a plan approved by state lawmakers Tuesday.
The Hall of Famer grew up in Pasadena, attending John Muir High School, Pasadena City College and UCLA.
"Jackie Robinson is not only an inspiring figure to us for his accomplishments in athletics, but also as a civil-rights-era trailblazer who advocated for social change," said Assemblyman Mike Gatto, D-Glendale, the author of the freeway-naming legislation.
The four-mile Robinson memorial stretch of the 210 runs between Gould Avenue and Orange Grove Boulevard, a commonly used route to Dodger Stadium for fans coming from eastern Los Angeles County.
"This is another great honor and tribute to a man who made a major impact on our nation,'' said Naomi Rodriguez, Dodgers' vice president of external affairs and community relations. "It is certainly fitting that this stretch of freeway is in Pasadena, where Jackie grew up."
Robinson is best known for breaking the color barrier in baseball when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. His number -- 42 -- was retired by all of Major League baseball.
Before becoming a big-leaguer, Robinson excelled in basketball, football, baseball and track in high school and college, becoming the first Bruin to letter in four sports: baseball, basketball, football and track.
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"It's only fitting to honor Jackie Robinson by naming this stretch of highway near the home he grew up and lived in," Gatto said. "The sacrifices and differences he made will always be remembered."
