Branch Rickey

Wesley Branch Rickey (1881–1965) was an American baseball executive whose innovations reshaped Major League Baseball. After careers as a player and manager, he became a leading front-office figure, most notably with the St. Louis Cardinals and Brooklyn Dodgers. Rickey helped pioneer the modern farm system, emphasizing scouting and player development. His most enduring legacy came in 1945, when, as Dodgers president and general manager, he signed Jackie Robinson to the organization, a decisive step toward integrating MLB. Robinson debuted with Brooklyn in 1947, breaking the color barrier and accelerating change across American sports and society.