Final answer:
Branch Rickey was the Brooklyn Dodgers president who signed Jackie Robinson, breaking the color line in Major League Baseball and making a profound impact on racial equality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Branch Rickey was a significant figure in baseball history and the fight for racial equality. As the president of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Rickey made a historic decision by signing Jackie Robinson in 1947. This action broke the color line in Major League Baseball, as Robinson became the first African American to play in the major leagues in over 50 years. Despite not offering compensation to Robinson's former team, the Kansas City Monarchs, Rickey's choice was a deliberate move towards integration, embracing the diversity of New York City to improve his team and the league. Robinson's successful rookie year with the Dodgers and his impact on and off the field not only helped to win the pennant but also inspired change across the sports world.