3-page letter dated July 1, 1945 contains fabulous content by Dodgers President, Branch Rickey. In this letter addressed to “Mel”, he discusses several different points regarding the Dodgers and baseball in general. Trying to fill the wartime roster, Rickey was forced to reach deep into his bag. He mentions getting Babe Herman to pinch-hit for the 1945 season. Important Negro League content: “The Negro baseball situation is alive, backed largely by political interests and will surely have development within the next year… I was much interested in the formation of a new Negro league, the United States League and we had a team – the Brooklyn Brown Dodgers, but they didn’t work out… The man who owned the franchise, Joe Hall, has no idea of promotional work and they did not draw at all”. Later that year (Oct. 23) Branch Rickey would announce the signing of Jackie Robinson. Black fountain pen signature is perfect except for a tiny rip interrupting the “e” from pressing too hard on the paper. Typed on Dodgers letterhead (8.5x11”), original mailing folds & staple holes, EX.