Herb PennockWhat - ? What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Branch RickeyIt means someday you're gonna meet God, and when he inquires as to why you didn't take the field against Robinson in Philadelphia, and you answer that it's because he was a Negro, it may not be a sufficient reply!
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Ben ChapmanHey, Stanky, what's it like bein' a nigger's nigger?
Eddie StankyI dunno, Chapman, what's it like bein' a redneck piece of shit?
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Jackie RobinsonYou want a player who doesn't have the guts to fight back?
Branch RickeyNo. No. I want a player who's got the guts not to fight back. People aren't gonna like this. They're gonna do anything to get you to react. Echo a curse with a curse and, uh, they'll hear only yours. Follow a blow with a blow and they'll say, "The Negro lost his temper." That "The Negro does not belong." Your enemy will be out in force... and you cannot meet him on his own low ground. We win with hitting, running, fielding. Only that. We win if the world is convinced of two things: That you are a fine gentleman and a great baseball player. Like our Savior... you gotta have the guts... to turn the other cheek. Can you do it?
Jackie RobinsonYou give me a uniform... you give me a, heh, number on my back... and I'll give you the guts.
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reporterWhatcha gonna do if one of these pitchers throws for your head?
Jackie RobinsonI don't care if they like me. I didn't come here to make friends. I don't even care if they respect me. I know who I am. I've got enough respect for myself. I do not want them to beat me.
Branch Rickey[Referring to Jackie Robinson]He's a Methodist, I'm a Methodist... And God's a Methodist; We can't go wrong.
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Jackie RobinsonI don't think it matters what I believe, only what I do.
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Branch RickeyWe had a victory of fascism in Germany. It's time, time we had a victory over racism at home.
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Burt ShottonWhen I took the Cleveland uniform off two years ago I promised the missus I'd never put on another uniform again. So the roses are beautiful and, uh, I sleep better too.
Branch RickeyRoses and sleep are two wonderful things, Burt. But sleep you can get when you're in your casket, and flowers look great on top of it. But, uh, you don't look like a dead man to me, Burt.
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Leo DurocherIf Robinson can help us win, then he is gonna play on this ball club!
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reporterBaseball was proof positive that democracy was real. A baseball box score after all, is a democratic thing. It doesn't say how big you are, or what religion you follow it does not know how you voted, or the color of your skin, it simply states what kind of ballplayer you were on any particular day.
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[last lines]
Wendell Smith[typing his news story]Robinson rounds third, headed for home sweet home.
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Branch RickeyIt's another opening day, Harold. All future, no past.
Wendell SmithA man came by while you was asleep. He said more men were coming. It might have been those fellas. Mr. Rickey said to get you to Daytona Beach ASAP.
Branch RickeyThese men have to live with themselves...
Jackie RobinsonI have to live with myself, too! And right now I'm living a sermon out there.
Branch RickeyYou don't matter right now, Jack. You're in this thing. You don't have the right to pull out from the backing of people who believe in you, respect you and who need you.
Branch RickeyOf course there is! You can stand up and hit! You can get on base and you can score! You can win this game for us! We need you! Everyone needs you.