Many do not know, but Reese was really the man who integrated baseball.
Robinson was heatedly opposed by other players, but team owner Branch Rickey wanted him. It wasn’t for any social reasons. Rickey simply wanted more paying fans in the stands, and Robinson was the way to attract Blacks.
When Robinson was introduced, team was ready to walk out, but Reese, an backwoods Kentucky boy, and team Captain, got other players to support Robinson. He saw him as a way to fill the stands, and win games.
That changed baseball... and America
Reese integrated baseball:
There were lots of folks involved for sure, Manager Leo Durocher told Dixie Walker and his little group of petitioners where to stick that petition.