Author Mike Mitchell talks about his comprehensive book about the early years of the St. Louis Cardinals.  He explains the tremendous impact that baseball executive Branch Rickey had on the game.  The discusses Rickey's early years and how he first got into baseball.  Mitchell covers the mediocre baseball playing career of Branch Rickey and his service in the Chemical branch of the Army during WWI.  The discussion includes how Rickey first got to the Cardinals and his move to the front office.  Mitchell describes the minor league system that Rickey developed that lasted 100 years.  He discusses the several pennants and World Series titles during his tenure.  He used the farm system to produce amazing talent from Dizzy Dean to Stan Musial.  Rickey's move to the Dodgers is covered including breaking baseball's color barrier.  The talk concludes with Rickey's return to the Cardinals in 1962 and his final days.

HOST:  Rob Mellon

FEATURED BREW:  Urban Underdog American Lager, Urban Chestnut Brewing Company, St. Louis, MO

BOOK:  Branch Rickey's Redbirds: Baseball, Beer, Scandals & Celebrations in St. Louis
https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Rickeys-Redbirds-Baseball-Celebrations/dp/0578693879/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=branch+rickey&qid=1615349110&s=books&sr=1-2

MUSIC:  Bones Fork
https://bonesfork.com/

CLIPS:  Baseball's Best Moments (MLB.com), Stan Musial Biography, St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame, Wabash Cannonball