“Mr. Rickey. What's this about?” – Jackie Robinson, 42 ... Movie Quotes Database

Jackie Robinson: Mr. Rickey. What's this about?
Branch Rickey: This is about baseball, Jackie. I see you starting in spring with our affiliate in Montreal. If you make it there, we'll try you down here... with the Dodgers. With the white Brooklyn Dodgers. [scoffs] Hmm.
Branch Rickey: I'll pay you $600 a month. And a $3500 bonus when you sign the contract. That agreeable?
Jackie Robinson: Yes, that's fine but-
Branch Rickey: There's one condition. I know you can hit behind the runner. That you can read a pitch. One question is, can you control your temper?
Jackie Robinson: My temper?
Branch Rickey: Yes, your temper! What are you, deaf? A black man in white baseball, heh, can you imagine the reaction? The vitriol? Dodgers check into a hotel, a, uh, a decent, good hotel. You're worn out from the road. Some clerk won't give you the pen to sign in with. "We got no room for you, boy. Not even down in the coal bin where you belong." Team stops at a restaurant. Waiter won't take your order. "Didn't you see the sign on the door? No **** allowed." What are you gonna do then? Fight him? Ruin all my plans? [Robinson remains silent; Rickey attempts to "intimidate" him] Answer me, you black son of a bitch!
Jackie Robinson: [stands up] You want a player who doesn't have the guts to fight back?
Branch Rickey: No. 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 Robinson: You give me a uniform, you give me a number on my back, I'll give you the guts.

Jackie Robinson : Mr. Rickey. What's this about? Branch Rickey : This is about baseball, Jackie. I see you starting in spring with our affiliate in Montreal. If you make it there, we'll try you down here... with the Dodgers. With the white Brooklyn Dodgers. [scoffs] Hmm. Branch Rickey : I'll pay you $600 a month. And a $3500 bonus when you sign the contract. That agreeable? Jackie Robinson : Yes, that's fine but- Branch Rickey : There's one condition. I know you can hit behind the runner. That you can read a pitch. One question is, can you control your temper? Jackie Robinson : My temper? Branch Rickey : Yes, your temper! What are you, deaf? A black man in white baseball, heh, can you imagine the reaction? The vitriol? Dodgers check into a hotel, a, uh, a decent, good hotel. You're worn out from the road. Some clerk won't give you the pen to sign in with. "We got no room for you, boy. Not even down in the coal bin where you belong." Team stops at a restaurant. Waiter won't take your order. "Didn't you see the sign on the door? No **** allowed." What are you gonna do then? Fight him? Ruin all my plans? [Robinson remains silent; Rickey attempts to "intimidate" him] Answer me, you black son of a bitch! Jackie Robinson : [stands up] You want a player who doesn't have the guts to fight back? Branch Rickey : No. 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 Robinson : You give me a uniform, you give me a number on my back, I'll give you the guts.