Branch Rickey Signed AUTO Historic Letter to Baseball HOFer Joe Medwick JSA LOA

Branch Rickey (D. 1965) was an innovative Major League Baseball (MLB) executive elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967. He was perhaps best known for breaking Major League Baseball's color barrier by signing African American player Jackie Robinson, for drafting the first Afro-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.

Joe Medwick (1911–1975) was a Hall of Fame left fielder and star of the St. Louis Cardinals’ Gashouse Gang. He won the 1937 National League Triple Crown and MVP, hit .324 lifetime, drove in 1,383 runs, and helped win the 1934 World Series.

Offered is an 8.5” x 11” typed letter signed on Brooklyn Dodgers letterhead dated October 9, 1946.  Rickey writes and then signs his name in black steel tipped fountain pen.

“Dear Joe:

I am under the pressure of reducing our player limit at the earliest possible date as I wish to have our club in position to make selections at the coming draft meeting. Accordingly I am enclosing formal notice of your unconditional release.

You have been of very real help to us and it was a very real pleasure to me to have you with our team. I think the connection proved likewise pleasant and I hope profitable to you, and I wish for you in the future every good thing.

Sincerely yours,

Branch Rickey”
Branch Rickey, President.

Medwick wrote his response beneath (in his wife’s hand)

Dear Mr. Rickey:

Thanks so much for your nice and felicitous letter which accompanied my notification of unconditional release. A fellow is never ready for such a release and it all takes it ultimately, and future has to unfold. Let me assure you that my association with the Brooklyn club was pleasant and I thank all concerned for the chances given me. If you have the opening in your organization at any time and into which you feel I would fit, I would appreciate your giving me a chance.

Thanks again,

Yours sincerely,
Joe M. Medwick

Letter comes with the original mailing envelope from the Brooklyn Dodgers.

(see our separate offering of Medwick’s unconditional release)

Full JSA LOA