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Jackie Robinson: Branch Rickey
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Robinson was selected by Branch Rickey, general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, to become the first African American to play Major League baseball in the twentieth century. Entering the big leagues in 1947, Robinson had to abide by an agreement he made with Rickey not to be provoked to retaliation by taunts from white players and fans. Robinson endured racial epithets shouted by opposing players and patrons, segregated hotel and restaurant accommodations, balls thrown at his head by opposing pitchers, spiking incidents by opposing runners, volumes of hate mail, and a threatened strike by some white players including several on his own team. Nontheless, he performed brilliantly in the field and earned Rookie-of-the-Year honors in 1947. During his nine years with the Dodgers, Robinson ... won a Most Valuable Player award and a batting title. He was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame in 1962.
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After the war, Robinson played baseball in the Negro Leagues for the Kansas City Monarchs, where he caught the eye of Branch Rickey (1881‧'1965), general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Rickey signed Robinson on August 28, 1945 to join the Montreal Royals, the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate in the International League. For two years, Robinson toiled in the minor leagues. On April 15, 1947 Robinson made history as the first black man to play in a Major League baseball game, paving the way for generations of black athletes to compete in America’s national pastime.
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In the summer of 1945 Rickey discovered Robinson playing shortstop for the Negro League's Kansas City Monarchs. Believing Robinson would find a warmer reception in Canada, Rickey assigned him to play for Montreal during the 1946 season as a warm-up for his rookie season in the majors the following year. Rickey's hunch was correct. Robinson, the first black player in the International League in fifty-seven years, was exceedingly popular with the fans as he led the league in batting and runs scored, and his team won the pennant.
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Robinson's career in the Negro Leagues was short. In 1945, Branch Rickey, the manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, requested a meeting with Robinson. Rickey wanted to integrate the major leagues and was looking for a player who could withstand the hostility that would come. After determining that Robinson was the perfect candidate, he asked him to first play for the minor league team, the Montreal Royals. On October 23, 1945, it became official when Robinson signed a contract with the team.
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Jackie was scouted by Branch Ricky, the president of the Brooklyn Dodgers. After playing on the farm team, the Montreal Royals, he finally became a major league player. His batting average was .297, and he hit twelve home runs in his first season. In 1949, he was selected Most Valuable Player. Depite such wonderful accomplishments, Jackie had a lot of difficulties as well. When he signed his contract for the Dodgers, he promised Ricky not to fight back under any circumstances.
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In August, 1945, Jackie Robinson met with Branch Rickey, the general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Rickey had believed Major League Baseball should be an integrated sport and wanted to sign Robinson with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
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Branch Rickey