“He (Carl Voyles) has been signed as director of football for the Ebbetts-McKeever Exhibition Company. He is more than a coach. I had no desire for a consuming identification with the football club for very long.” ~ Legendary Brooklyn Dodgers baseball General Manager Branch Rickey, Feb 10, 1948.
Journal and Courier Wed, Feb 11, 1948 ·Page 10 courtesy of Newspapers.com
Major League Baseball executive en:Branch Rickey
St. Louis Cardinals – 1941 Team Issue
Often remembered for his seismic impact on baseball, Branch Rickey was a visionary executive who fundamentally reshaped American sports. Most famously, as president of the Brooklyn Dodgers, he broke the color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson in 1945.
Beyond integration, Rickey revolutionized the game’s infrastructure by inventing the modern minor league farm system. A man of deep conviction and intellect, he also pioneered the use of statistical analysis and specialized coaching, forever changing how talent is developed and evaluated across all professional sports.
Dodgers Baseball
Founded in 1883, the Brooklyn Dodgers became a beloved cultural fixture at Ebbets Field. They made history in 1947 by breaking the color barrier with Jackie Robinson. Despite their “Boys of Summer” success and a 1955 World Series title, owner Walter O’Malley moved the franchise to California in 1958. They became the Los Angeles Dodgers, leaving a permanent void in New York’s sporting heart.
Brooklyn Dodgers Football
The NFL’s Brooklyn Dodgers (1930–1944) were a staple of Ebbets Field during the league’s early era. Originally the Dayton Triangles, the team was purchased and rebranded by Bill Dwyer in 1930.
The franchise found success under coach Jock Sutherland, led by Hall of Fame stars like Paddy Driscoll and Benny Friedman. Notably, in 1939, they played in the first-ever televised NFL game. Facing financial strain and player shortages during WWII, they merged with the Boston Yanks in 1944 before eventually dissolving into the AAFC.
