rickey, branch

The book that inspired Harrison Ford in his portrayal of Branch Rickey in the hit movie ?42? In a brilliant match between author and subject, this latest addition to the Penguin Lives series features the inimitable Jimmy Breslin telling the rags-to-riches tale of Branch Rickey, the legendary manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers who integrated baseball by putting Jackie Robinson into the major leagues. Moving from the dusty Midwest towns where Rickey built baseball's farm system to the Brooklyn streets where he hatched his most famous plan, Breslin brilliantly captures the heady days when baseball became the national pastime. What emerges is the irresistible story of a schemer and redeemer, a great American who remade a sport-and dreamed of remaking a country. See Branch Rickey?s life brought to the screen in the hit movie ?42? in theaters everywhere now.

"A biography of Jackie Robinson, with profiles of two prominent individuals, who are associated through the influences they had on one another, the successes they achieved, or the goals they worked toward. Includes recommended readings and web sites"--Provided by publisher.

Provides a narrative overview of the life and career of Branch Rickey and examines his influence on professional baseball as president and general manager of the Dodgers.