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Wendell Smith: In 1945, America's greatest generation came back from war. (The flags of freedom fly over Europe.) Smith: Nazi Germany had been defeated...and three months later, Imperial Japan surrendered as well. (And there's jubilation around this earth.) Smith: Men returned home. Among them, some of baseball's most beloved names. Musial. DiMaggio. Williams. Life in the United States could return to normal. (TV clip: What's the guy's name? What's on second? Who's on second? Who's on first? I don't know. Third base [audience laughing] Smith: And baseball was proof positive that democracy was real. A baseball box score, after all, is a democratic thing. It doesn't say how big you are or what religion you follow. It does not know how you voted or the color of your skin. It simply states what kind of ballplayer you were on any particular day. (And he did it. It's a home run. They knew he'd do it.) Smith: African Americans had served their country gallantly. They returned home from fighti

42 (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

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. "D

42 (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Jackie Robinson: What the hell, Wendell? Wendell Smith: A man came by while you was asleep. He said more men were coming. It might have been those fellas. Mr. Rickey said to get you to Daytona Beach ASAP. Jackie Robinson: Why didn't you say so? Wendell Smith: Well, Mr. Rickey was afraid you wouldn't want to leave. You'd want to stay there and fight. Wendell Smith: Man, what in the hell are you laughing at? Jackie Robinson: I thought you woke me because, because I was cut from the team.

42 (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Mr. Brock: Well, the wife's inside cookin'. You know what she asked me? She asked me this mornin', "What do you serve when a hero comes to dinner?" Jackie Robinson: Um, Mr. Brock, I'm just a ball player. Mr. Brock: Oh no no, you tell that to the little colored boys playin' baseball in Florida today. To them, you a hero.

42 (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Leo Durocher: [Making noise with metal platter] Wake up, now ladies! Wake up! [To the Dodgers players] It has come to my attention that some of you fellas don't wanna play with Robinson. That you've even got a petition you've drawn up and you're all going to sign. Well boys you know what you can do with your petition you can wipe your asses with it. Dixie Walker: Oh come on, Leo... Leo Durocher: [To Walker] Come on what? Dixie Walker: Ballplayers gotta live together, shower together. It ain't fair to force him on us like this. Besides I got a hardware store back home- Leo Durocher: [To Walker] Screw your hardware store, Dix. And if you don't like it, screw you. Mr. Rickey would be <u>happy</u> to make other arrangements for you. [To the players] Now, I don't care if he is yellow or black or has stripes like a zebra. If Robinson can help us win, and everything I have seen says he can, then he is gonna play ON THIS BALL CLUB. LIKE IT, LUMP IT, MAKE YOUR MINDS UP TO IT, BECAUSE HE'S COMIN

42 (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Jackie Robinson: Taxi! Wendell Smith: Hey, Jack. Jackie Robinson: You again. Wendell Smith: That's right. Me again. There something wrong with that, Jack? Jackie Robinson: Where's the car? Wendell Smith: Right this way. [During the drive] They can't keep you in Montreal for long. After these exhibition games, they're gonna have to bring you up. [Robinson remains silent] You don't have two words to rub together, do you? Wendell Smith: You ever wonder why I sit down behind third base, with my typewriter on my knees? Does that ever cross your mind? It's because Negro reporters aren't allowed in the press box. So guess what? You, Mr. Robinson, are not the only one with something at stake here. Jackie Robinson: I apologize. You've been there for me through this... ...more than anyone besides Rae and Mr. Rickey. But I guess that's what bothers me. Wendell Smith: How do you mean? Jackie Robinson: I don't like needing someone to be there for me. I don't like needing anyone for anything. I neve

42 (film), CC BY-SA 4.0