Look magazine revealed Jackie Robinson’s retirement decision. After the 1956 season, Robinson agreed to leave baseball and accept an executive position with the Chock full o’Nuts restaurant company in New York.
Two years earlier, he had sold Look exclusive rights to his retirement story. As a result, the news appeared in Look’s January 22, 1957, issue rather than being announced first by the Dodgers. Robinson explained that his legs were worn down and that he wanted to move into a new phase of his life.
The timing created controversy because the Dodgers had traded Robinson to the New York Giants, but the deal was never completed. The Dodgers did not know that Robinson had already committed to retirement. His decision therefore became public through the magazine before the club could present the transaction as an ordinary player move.
The common mix-up is assuming Robinson formally announced his retirement directly to the Dodgers. Look held the exclusive story, turning a personal career decision into a major media event.