In 1942 Branch Rickey joined the Dodgers as the team’s president and general manager. He quietly and in a very determined way began his quest to bring black players to the team. He was well aware of the challenges that lay ahead trying to integrate the first segment of American society – baseball. He knew there would be resistance in the Commissioner’s Office, from other team owners, the players themselves and it would be difficult to predict the fan reaction. Most importantly would be selecting the correct player to meet the unbelievable challenges that lay ahead. The rest is history and we all know the correct player, perhaps one among a number of choices, was selected to battle prejudice and segregation in major league baseball.
Jackie and Larry
