Listen in as Raven Foundation founder Suzanne Ross and baseball historian Peter Morris discuss the historical impact of Branch Rickey’s decision to call up Jackie Robinson to the major leagues and its dramatic interpretation by the Lookingglass Theatre. In emphasizing the egalitarian nature of America’s pastime, Morris highlighted how Robinson’s selection and success started the nation moving along the path of desegregation. 

Called “one of the most prolific living baseball researchers” by the New York Times, Peter Morris has written several books about the history of baseball, including Baseball Fever, A Game of Inches, Level Playing Fields, But Didn’t We Have Fun?, and Catcher: How the Man Behind the Plate Became an American Folk Hero. A presenter at many of the annual conventions of the Society for American Baseball Research, he is one of the initial recipients of their Henry Chadwick Award.

Recorded Saturday, February 11, 2012 at Beane Hall, Loyola University Chicago.