Branch Rickey

Date of Birth: December 20, 1881

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: December 9, 1965

Biography

Wesley Branch Rickey, known as Branch Rickey, was an influential figure in American sports, particularly in baseball. Born on December 20, 1881, in Stockdale, Ohio, Rickey was an innovative and forward-thinking baseball executive and manager. He is best known for breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, thus changing the landscape of American sports and civil rights forever. Rickey attended Ohio Wesleyan University, where he played baseball and was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He later earned a law degree from the University of Michigan. His baseball career began as a player, and he briefly played for the St. Louis Browns and the New York Highlanders (now Yankees) but achieved little success on the field. However, it was as an executive that Rickey made his mark. He served as the manager and executive for several major league teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals and Brooklyn Dodgers. Rickey is credited with developing the modern farm system, which revolutionized the way teams developed players. His tenure with the Dodgers was marked by his commitment to integrating baseball, culminating in the signing of Robinson. Branch Rickey’s contributions to baseball were profound and lasting. He passed away on December 9, 1965, but his legacy endures in the sport and beyond.

5 Interesting Facts about Branch Rickey

1. Branch Rickey developed the modern baseball farm system, which became a standard in the sport.

2. He was instrumental in the creation of the batting helmet, prioritizing player safety.

3. Rickey served as president and general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1943 to 1950.

4. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967, two years after his death.

5. Rickey was a devout Methodist and abstained from alcohol and tobacco throughout his life.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Branch Rickey

1. “Luck is the residue of design.”

2. “It is not the honor that you take with you, but the heritage you leave behind.”

3. “There was never a man in the game who could put mind and muscle together quicker or with better judgment than Jackie Robinson.”

4. “Baseball people are generally allergic to new ideas. We are slow to change. For 50 years after Babe Ruth, baseball tried to run its organization without recognizing a home run.”

5. “I find fault with only one thing in baseball today. It’s the lack of hustle I see among the players. They are a product of the times.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Branch Rickey’s highest net worth was modest compared to modern standards; it is estimated that at the peak of his career, he had a net worth of around $500,000.

Children

Branch Rickey had five children: Branch Rickey Jr., Jane M. Rickey, Mary Rickey, Elizabeth Rickey, and Thomas Rickey. His son, Branch Rickey Jr., followed in his father’s footsteps and worked in baseball management.