Branch Rickey

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Breslin provides a brief and entertaining portrait of pioneering baseball executive Branch Rickey, focusing on his efforts in 1947 to bring Jackie Robinson, the first black player in the major leagues, to the Brooklyn Dodgers team he managed. In his acerbically witty style, Breslin offers anecdotal insight into Rickey's highly principled character, work ethic, and dogged determination to integrate baseball racially. But he leaves gaping holes in Rickey's life story, especially his early and later years, and skims over his many other baseball innovations, including creating the modern farm team system, building the first full-time spring training facility, and using statistical analysis to assess on-field performance. That said, three-time Audie Award winner Dick Hill's smooth voice brings Breslin's profanity-laced text to life with an engaging, pitch-perfect narration that evokes a 1940s radio broadcast. Recommended for all adult baseball history fans. [The Viking hc received a starred review, LJ 2/1/11.—Ed.]—Douglas King, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia