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Can You Guess That Grad?

What alumnus was president and general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers when he signed Jackie Robinson, thus breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball?
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Branch Rickey
1945 photo from Alumni Association records, courtesy of the U-M Bentley Historical Library

Throughout his long career as a Major League Baseball executive, BRANCH RICKEY, JD1911, had many accomplishments, including the creation of a feeder farm system to develop new players. But the Baseball Hall of Famer’s most notable accomplishment was signing Jackie Robinson to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers, thus breaking the sport’s racial barrier. This year, the sport celebrates the 75th anniversary of Robinson’s first major league season.

For a list of other notable U-M grads, visit umalumni.com/notable-alumni.

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