"I wanted a man of exceptional intelligence, a man who was able to grasp and control the responsibilities of himself to his race and could carry that load." - Branch Rickey, One Hundred Percent Wrong Club speech, January 20, 1956
Branch Rickey
Branch Rickey, Baseball Hall of Fame
Branch Rickey Plaque, Baseball Hall of Fame, 1967
"Some day I'm going to have to stand before God, and if He asks me why I didn't let that Robinson fellow play ball, I don't think saying 'because of the color of his skin' would be a good enough answer." - Branch Rickey
Branch Rickey and Jackie's collaboration was vital to the success of the experiment.
“I worked for a great guy. I don’t think anyone could have done the job if not for Mr. Rickey. He was constantly advising and guiding, and I had so much confidence in him I would have jumped off the bridge if he told me to do it, that's how much I believed in him." - Jackie Robinson, Interview with Dick Cavette, January 26, 1972
Jackie Robinson Jr. and Branch Rickey, University of Massachusetts
"Jackie, we've got no army. There's virtually nobody on our side. No owners, no umpires, very few newspapermen. And I'm afraid that many fans will be hostile. We'll be in a tough position. We can win only if we can convince the world that I'm doing this because you're a great ballplayer, a fine gentleman."-Branch Rickey in Jackie Robinson's I Never Had It Made, 1972