His general manager had made the announcement to the press just four days earlier: Jackie Robinson's contract had been purchased from the Brooklyn Dodgers' minor league affiliate in Montreal. Branch Rickey had seen all he needed to see of Robinson's ability but it would be important to get him on the field in a Dodgers uniform prior to the team's opening game on … [Read more...]
Pull Up a Chair and Check Out Vin Scully’s First Contract With Dodgers
To hear Vin Scully call a baseball game was like watching a master painter at work. Scully always sketched the big picture, but it was the details, the nuance, and storytelling ability that set him apart during his 67-year career as the voice of the Dodgers. What a bargain for the Dodgers, who hired Scully in 1950 when the franchise was located in Brooklyn. Scully’s best … [Read more...]
“Shows Good Breeding”; Branch Rickey’s Scouting Reports Digitized, Online
Baseball scouting reports of one of the most famous baseball executives and scouts in history, Branch Rickey, who was also responsible for helping Jackie Robinson successfully break Major League Baseball’s color line, have been digitized and are now available online for the first time from the Library of Congress. The archive was digitized in time for Major League Baseball’s … [Read more...]
Jackie Robinson’s Original Contracts To Be Auctioned Feb. 27
After a delay of a few months, Jackie Robinson’s original professional baseball contracts with the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Montreal Royals are headed to the auction block. Robinson broke the modern-era color line in major-league baseball when he signed with the Dodgers on April 11, 1947. Nearly two years earlier, Robinson signed a deal with the Dodgers’ top minor-league … [Read more...]
Jackie Robinson’s Original Contracts Up for Sale
The two contracts that resulted in the integration of baseball following World War II are going on the auction block. The pact Jackie Robinson signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 and his contract with the Montreal Royals from 1945 will be offered through Goldin Auctions on November 16, although it’s possible they could be sold privately before a planned auction at the … [Read more...]
Photo of the Day: Branch Rickey, Cardinals Manager
Even casual fans know the name of Branch Rickey for bringing Jackie Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 while serving as general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers. It was a move that changed baseball forever. Yet Rickey’s place in the game goes well beyond that monumental decision. He helped develop the modern farm system, helped bring protective head gear into the … [Read more...]
Man Cleaning Out Desk Finds Trio of Important 1950’s Autographs
You never know what you’ll find stuck inside an old desk. For Reggie Grant of Springfield, MA, it was a piece of baseball history. The 66-year-old was cleaning out a very old desk drawer at his home when he says he found something that looked like a report card. He almost crumpled it up but took another look and found photos of some baseball legends from decades ago. Not … [Read more...]
Holy Mystery: Branch Rickey’s 1953 Pirates Signed Bible Falls into Library Group’s Hands
An autographed Bible? It may sound odd, but 60 years ago, 31 members of the hapless 1953 Pittsburgh Pirates apparently put their names in ink inside a Catholic Bible and presented it to general manager Branch Rickey. The unusual signed piece was donated to the Friends of the Sacramento (CA) Public Library where it sat for months, waiting to be repaired. Ralph Kiner, Joe … [Read more...]
Editor’s Blog: Early Rickey, Hollywood Casting Call
Everyone associates Branch Rickey with the 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers and Jackie Robinson. Actually, that was just the fulfillment of a promise Rickey made as a very young collegiate baseball coach. Robert Edward Auctions has a 1904 Ohio Wesleyan team photo in its upcoming auction. It's rare--both for what it is--and what it represents. A poignant tale, indeed. Well worth … [Read more...]