Title: Branch Rickey's little blue book : wit and strategy from baseball's last wise man /
Authors: Rickey, Branch, 1881-1965.; Monteleone, John J.
Publisher: Macmillan USA,
Year: 1995
Subjects: Rickey, Branch, Miscellanea.; Baseball United States History Miscellanea.
Abstract: "Branch Rickey was a man of many words and many accomplishments. One of the architects of modern baseball, he built the farm club system of producing major league players and pioneered the application of technology (e.g., the batting machine) in instruction. Rickey's finest moment came in 1947 when he brought up Jackie Robinson to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers, thereby breaking the color barrier in major league baseball." "In Branch Rickey's Little Blue Book, Rickey (primarily in his own words and in the words of those who knew him) shares his secrets for success both on and off the diamond. Culled from Rickey's writings, letters, scouting reports, and lectures, this collection reveals Rickey's peerless understanding of the game, his motivational techniques, and his respect for the rules and people that drive our national pastime."--Jacket.
Contents: Character matters. -Luck is the residue of design. -Baseball 101. Hitting: power at the plate. Hitting: three basics. Drills and coaches. Pitching: poise, control, and stuff. -The little things. On basestealing. On the bunt. Team defense. On the balk. Scouting and the tryout camp: many are called but few are chosen. Build it and they will come: the farm system. The pitching machine. -Here's to you Jackie Robinson. -A man of many facets. Executive, manager, and player. PARTIAL APPENDICES: Branch Rickey's playing and managing records.