Presents a biography of Cool Papa Bell and chronicles the history of African American participation in organized baseball, the formation of the Negro leagues, and racial politics in America.

Rich in context and suffused in myth, this is a treat for fans of baseball history.

James Thomas "Cool Papa" Bell was a National Negro League all-star who was best known for his legendary speed.

Rob Ruck reveals how sandlot, amateur, and professional athletics helped black Pittsburgh realize its potential for self-organization, expression, and creativity.

The foremost historian of the "blackball" era spent nearly 10 years researching this acclaimed oral history, interviewing 17 outstanding players including Cool Papa Bell, Buck Leonard, and Willie Wells. Over 80 vintage photographs.

Honig interviewed former big-league players across the country to compile this nostalgic book packed with statistics, action, revelations, and an extraordinary oral history of the halcyon days of baseball between the world wars.

This memorable narrative, filled with the memories of many surviving Negro League players, pulls the veil off these "invisible men" who were forced into the segregated leagues.

The biography of Oscar Charleston, a Negro Leagues legend and one of baseball’s greatest and most unjustifiably overlooked players.

The result of a study commissioned by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and funded by a grant from Major League Baseball(, this richly illustrated, comprehensive history combines vivid narrative, visual impact, and a unique statistical ...