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Branch Rickey: A Biography, rev. ed.
Has any sport executive had as many words written about him as Branch Rickey? A one-time catcher, Rickey managed the St. Louis Browns and Cardinals at the end of the deadball era before serving as vice president of the Dodgers and general manager of the Pirates. Possessed of one of the most creative minds in the game's long history, Rickey made early use of statistical analysis, pioneered the farm system, and pressed for the expansion of major league baseball. But he is best known for integrating organized baseball, signing Jackie Robinson to a contract at a time when the U.S. armed forces were still segregated and the Civil Rights movement was years away. A courageous move, the signing also stands as proof of Rickey's foresight; by tapping the Negro Leagues, he enlarged the pool of exploitable talent. Soon after, major league ties to the talent-rich Caribbean were strengthened, and years later scouts sign players from Asia and all over the globe. Based on nearly one hundred of interviews and vast amounts of research, including exclusive access to Rickey's own papers, Branch Rickey was originally published in 1982. It still stands as the definitive biography of the legendary executive. The McFarland edition includes updates and revisions, new photographs, a foreword by Branch B. Rickey, and a new preface.
280 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 24, 2019
This is a great biography of a great man. He is one of my heroes, for he was a man led by Christian conviction and courage. Yet, of course, he was also a man, so that means he had his sins, which this book does not hide, and we need to know those about our heroes, so that we worship only one Man--the God-Man Jesus, whom Rickey worshiped as well.
Rickey did lots of things for baseball like started the minor league farm system, fought Judge Landis when he wanted to destroy the farm system, helped expand both leagues with new teams, and even warned about what TV and commercialization would do to the game, and his predictions were pretty much spot on. Of course, his greatest achievement was integrating the game of baseball, which actually had far greater effects than just the game of baseball. Baseball being America's pastime meant that his integration of it affected America. In particular, it was fuel for the civil rights movement that was still almost two decades away. Martin Luther King Jr. once said that Jackie Robinson was one of his heroes, as well he should.
Polner does a good job of showing that Rickey did integrate baseball out of conviction about humans all being equal in God and not out just for profits. There are some who try to argue that Rickey was only interested in money. Certainly, he saw that there were profits available, but it was his conviction as a Christian man that drove him to do it. It started in 1903, when Charles Thompson--a black man and Rickey's first baseman on OWU's team--was not allowed to stay in a hotel and humiliated. Right then, Rickey went to bat for him, pun intended, and got him the right to stay, but that scene haunted him. It took him 40 years, yes, but a lot had to happen in that 40 years before integration would even be possible, not the least of which was that Commissioner of Baseball Judge Moutain Landis had to die because he would NEVER have allowed integration. And, two years after Landis died what happened? Jackie Robinson entered the scene on Rickey's team. There is plenty more in this book that shows Rickey integrated baseball out of conviction; not greed.
It is a book well-worth your time if you love baseball, since Rickey had more effect on the game of baseball than almost any other man in history.
Rickey did lots of things for baseball like started the minor league farm system, fought Judge Landis when he wanted to destroy the farm system, helped expand both leagues with new teams, and even warned about what TV and commercialization would do to the game, and his predictions were pretty much spot on. Of course, his greatest achievement was integrating the game of baseball, which actually had far greater effects than just the game of baseball. Baseball being America's pastime meant that his integration of it affected America. In particular, it was fuel for the civil rights movement that was still almost two decades away. Martin Luther King Jr. once said that Jackie Robinson was one of his heroes, as well he should.
Polner does a good job of showing that Rickey did integrate baseball out of conviction about humans all being equal in God and not out just for profits. There are some who try to argue that Rickey was only interested in money. Certainly, he saw that there were profits available, but it was his conviction as a Christian man that drove him to do it. It started in 1903, when Charles Thompson--a black man and Rickey's first baseman on OWU's team--was not allowed to stay in a hotel and humiliated. Right then, Rickey went to bat for him, pun intended, and got him the right to stay, but that scene haunted him. It took him 40 years, yes, but a lot had to happen in that 40 years before integration would even be possible, not the least of which was that Commissioner of Baseball Judge Moutain Landis had to die because he would NEVER have allowed integration. And, two years after Landis died what happened? Jackie Robinson entered the scene on Rickey's team. There is plenty more in this book that shows Rickey integrated baseball out of conviction; not greed.
It is a book well-worth your time if you love baseball, since Rickey had more effect on the game of baseball than almost any other man in history.
December 3, 2013
The life of the front-office mahatma who brought you the farm system, tryout camps, two great teams, and Jackie Robinson--in a reverential pop bio that overworks Rickey's deep religious fundamentalism and underplays his canniness. A Methodist farm boy from Ohio, Rickey worked his way through school as a coach and a player--until his arm gave out and he contracted TB. After flirting with the law, he went to the St. Louis Browns as second-in-command and field manager. Success came quickly; but a rift with the owner sent him over to the lackluster Cards, in 1916, as president. ""It was as an executive that he blossomed, his imagination stirred and his dreams proved fruitful."" There he created tryouts, the farm system, and the legendary 1934 Gas House Gang of Dean, Durocher, Martin, and Frisch--the first darlings of the media. Again he fell out with the powers-that-be, and in '42 wound up with the Dodgers where, among other things, he carefully orchestrated the debut of the first black major league player."
This has many amazing qualities including details like where he grew up, the special people in his life, the number of accomplishments he had, and quotes from many of his close personal friends that he met through out the years growing up. I gave this book 5 out 5 stars because it tells the story of one of the most revolutionary people in not only American history but also baseball history. Branch Rickey did what no other Major League Baseball General Manager did during the Civil Rights movement he signed the first ever black major league player.
This has many amazing qualities including details like where he grew up, the special people in his life, the number of accomplishments he had, and quotes from many of his close personal friends that he met through out the years growing up. I gave this book 5 out 5 stars because it tells the story of one of the most revolutionary people in not only American history but also baseball history. Branch Rickey did what no other Major League Baseball General Manager did during the Civil Rights movement he signed the first ever black major league player.
September 8, 2013
I read this book after watching "42" to find out how Rickey reached the point of bring Jackie Robinson to the Dodgers. Rickey faced racism when he coached a black player on Ohio Wesleyan's baseball team when he himself was still a student there. Rickey's journey was complicated but consistent as he searched for a player who would star as well as handle the racist guff. It makes a good follow up read
February 10, 2016
Like any good biography, you feel sad when the subject passes away. the author gives a strong illustration of his drive and is favorable to some people and not others (ie Walter O'Malley). A good read for any baseball fan.
August 23, 2015
Fascinating read about a complex yet simple man. Highly recommended for those who just enjoy reading. Being a baseball fan is a plus but not a necessity.
January 23, 2016
A man who changed the times---what dynamism!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews