Wesley Branch Rickey

Signing of Jackie Robinson (Posted from Tom Hafforth)

The “professor of baseball” was an eminent man who was destined to become even greater. Amazing people often accomplish great things. Branch Rickey revolutionized baseball in two very different ways. He was born into a strict, religious family and grew up on a farm in Ohio. Excelling in both athletics and academics, he enrolled into college at age 19 and paid for his education by playing semi-professional baseball. Later, he became a manager of the St. Louis Cardinals and invented the farm system, which transformed the game of baseball. His most significant contribution took place when he signed Jackie Robinson, which led the way for other African American players to play for major league teams. Branch Rickey is a hero because he had the courage to stand up against the norm and was willing to sacrifice his reputation in order to do what he believed was right. Through his actions, he inspired many people to support the civil rights movement of the 1960’s.

Branch Rickey in WWII (Photo from Frank Ceresi Collection)

Branch Rickey was a man with the courage to do the right thing because it was the right thing to do. As I read this quote, I realized that Rickey was always a step ahead of his counterparts from other teams: “…Rickey had embarked on a daring scheme to assure Dodger dominance in the post-World War II years. Since the late 1880’s organized baseball had barred African Americans from participation. Rickey believed that segregation was immoral…” (Wesley Branch Rickey). Most of the media referred to him as Mahatma because of his deep, complex responses to their questions. Many people considered him a racial sympathizer, which may have stemmed from his belief that everyone was equal. After WWII, baseball was stronger than ever. Branch Rickey, manager and part owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, needed to find a way to get a leg up on the competition. Under the guise of a new Negro League team, the Brooklyn Dodgers began interviewing talented, young African American players. “Rickey chose Jackie Robinson, a former collegiate football star, to become the first African American major leaguer in the 20th century” (Wesley Branch Rickey). Rickey had to find someone that would do well in the majors and be able to have a thick skin. In the interview Branch told Robinson that he would need to have the courage to receive insult and not fight back. As Rickey once said to Jackie it takes more courage not to fight back.

Hall of Fame statue of Branch Rickey (Courtesy of Tom Dunmore)

He was willing to sacrifice his reputation and the game of baseball to accomplish what he believed in. Branch Rickey was a person who knew his priorities in life. “The Hall of Fame is tremendously important to me, but if it meant I had to give up anything I did or said, the Hall of Fame would have to go its own way. I did what I thought was right and, to me, right is more important than honor.” (Denenberg). Rickey realized that there were many people unhappy with the signing of Jackie Robinson. Even though he had an illustrious career as a manager and greatly influenced the sport he loved, he knew his induction into the Hall of Fame might be in jeopardy due to his desire to integrate baseball. Sadly, he didn’t live to see the day he was voted into the Hall of Fame. It came two years after his death. “Some of the teams threatened to abandon the league if Rickey signed Jackie Robinson” (Rubinstein). This quote shows how much Rickey contradicted the traditional beliefs of the other owners in the league. Luckily, the commissioner of baseball stepped in and said that nobody would be allowed to leave the league just because a black player was joining. Then again, if Branch hadn’t taken this risk, the league may have not been integrated for a much longer period of time.

Branch Rickey having a good time (Courtesy of Alan Schwarz)

Branch Rickey is an inspiring person due to his influence in baseball by his creation of the farm system and of course the integration of baseball. “The Brown vs. Board of Education decision of 1954, the Birmingham bus campaign and other landmarks of the Civil Rights campaign might have occurred without Rickey and Robinson, but the integration of baseball made them far more likely to succeed and to receive support from whites” (Wesley Branch Rickey). Without Branch Rickey, there would have been no Jackie Robinson. Without Jackie Robinson, there would not have been any integration of baseball. Without the integration of baseball, there would not have been integration in everyday life until much later. After Branch Rickey retired from baseball, he became a huge civil rights activist. His courage and sacrifice has helped shape our modern society. His inspiration goes beyond the baseball field. He is a true hero.