<P> Wesley Branch Rickey ( December 20 , 1881 -- December 9 , 1965 ) was an American sports executive . He was perhaps best known for breaking Major League Baseball 's color barrier by signing African American player Jackie Robinson , for drafting the first Hispanic superstar , Roberto Clemente , for creating the framework for the modern minor league farm system , for encouraging the Major Leagues to add new teams through his involvement in the proposed Continental League , and for introducing the batting helmet . He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967 . </P>
<P> Wesley Branch Rickey ( December 20 , 1881 -- December 9 , 1965 ) was an American sports executive . He was perhaps best known for breaking Major League Baseball 's color barrier by signing African American player Jackie Robinson , for drafting the first Hispanic superstar , Roberto Clemente , for creating the framework for the modern minor league farm system , for encouraging the Major Leagues to add new teams through his involvement in the proposed Continental League , and for introducing the batting helmet . He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967 . </P>
who was the owner of the dodgers when jackie robinson played
who was the owner of the dodgers when jackie robinson played
Wesley Branch Rickey
Wesley Branch Rickey