Rickey, Branch (1881-1965), was one of the greatest executives in major league baseball history. Rickey, nicknamed “the Mahatma,” was a pioneer in creating the farm system, in which major league teams developed players in the minor leagues. He was an early advocate of batting helmets, batting cages, and pitching machines. He also broadened the role of spring training in the baseball season. Perhaps Rickey’s most important achievement was offering a contract to Jackie Robinson, who became the first African American player in major league baseball in 1947.
Wesley Branch Rickey was born on Dec. 20, 1881, in Stockdale, Ohio. He played briefly in the major leagues from 1905 to 1907 and then for two games in 1914. Rickey managed the St. Louis Browns from 1913 to 1915 and the St. Louis Cardinals from 1919 to 1925. He was also the Cardinals’ team president from 1917 to 1919. In 1925, Rickey became the Cardinals’ general manager. At the time, the Cardinals were one of the weakest teams in the National League. Under his leadership, the team became a National League powerhouse.
Rickey left St. Louis in 1942 and was general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1943 to 1950. He ended his baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, as general manager from 1950 to 1955 and chairman of the board from 1955 to 1959. Rickey died on Dec. 9, 1965. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967.
See also Robinson, Jackie .
