Clyde when Branch Rickey became the Pirates GM he mandated that the players wear his new invention.
He had experimented with a plastic liner in Brooklyn to protect Jackie Robinson from the anticipated beanings. When he moved to Pittsburgh he made it mandatory for all players. It was a plastic shell that was then flocked to look like a regular cap. Several players resisted but he did not relent and forced the players to use the cap/helmet for several years.
After a severe beaning to Joe Adcock of the Braves most teams made helmets available. Later Adcock said that of all the things Rickey did for baseball that this was the most important.
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