John C. Chalberg. Ricky & Robinson, the Preacher, the Player, and America’s Game. Harlan Davidson, Inc. Wheeling, Illinois.

John C. Chalberg argues that Branch Ricky was a conservative man who was moralistic, and at the other end of the spectrum, Jackie Robinson was a hot headed ball player who had a chip on his shoulder. In 1947, the two men went against their characters to integrate baseball and bring on the entire civil rights movement.
Branch Ricky was born near Stockdale, Ohio on December 20, 1881. He was raised on a farm in a Christian atmosphere. Ricky recalled when he was little and got in trouble, instead of being punished, his mother took him into his room and she prayed for his behavior and for her to be a better mother. This Christian upbringing stuck with Ricky throughout his life. He followed his older brother, Orla’s dream of playing baseball for a Major League team and played for the St. Louis Browns. Ricky refused to play on Sunday for that was God’s day. He went from being Manager of the Cardinals to Vice President. After his contract expired with the Cardinals, he took o...