1948 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson ROOKIE PSA GOOD 2

1948 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson PSA 2 - Centered Rookie of a True American Icon

There are rookie cards—and then there are moments in cardboard that changed sports forever. The 1948 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson is one of the most important cards in the entire hobby, marking the debut of not just a baseball player, but a civil rights hero who helped reshape the soul of American sports. Released just one year after Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier, this card captures the weight of history and the brilliance of performance during a pivotal era.

Despite the modest technical grade of PSA 2, this particular copy presents exceptionally well, with notably strong centering—a rarity for a notoriously off-center and condition-sensitive issue. The bold red, white, and blue palette of the Leaf set remains vivid, and Robinson’s defiant, confident expression reflects both the pressure he endured and the pride he carried.

For collectors of significance over perfection, this is a cornerstone piece—a card that transcends statistics, grading scales, and even the game itself. Few issues carry this kind of emotional, cultural, and historical weight. Simply put: every serious collection needs a Jackie.