Shades of Glory Book

A comprehensive objective and well-researched narrative on the history of African-American baseball "Shades of Glory" brings to life the players owners and fans who made the Negro leagues a vibrant cultural pastime as well as sport. With never-before-published statistics biographical essays thrilling game accounts rare photographs and newly uncovered primary sources this book allows baseball fans and history lovers alike a way to assess the lasting contribution Negro league players have made to baseball. Read about the heartbreaking disappointments and the exhilarating highs of Negro leaguers such as Satchel Paige Josh Gibson Oscar Charleston Martin Dihigo Judy Johnson and Cool Papa Bell. Follow the changing fortunes of the league's most famous teams the storied Kansas City Monarchs Homestead Grays Cuban Giants and Hilldale Daisies as they battle for supremacy on the diamond while trying to keep their business enterprises afloat. They're all here brought to life with insider stories rare archival photos and newsclippings and interviews with the league's surviving players.Offering a front row seat to the tragic story of race relations in American history the book traces black baseball from slavery days to the somewhat integrated teams of the 19th century to Jim Crow segregation during the early 20th century to dissolution of the league after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947. The book's newly discovered statistics help shed light on the achievements of Negro league greats. Under a mandate to include only league-sanctioned games reported with box scores the authors offer a new understanding of players whose exploits have previously been the stuff of legend. While the authors could not verify for example the 800 home runs credited to the mighty Josh Gibson they could prove that his At-Bat ratio earns him a slot as one of the 10 best hitters in the history of the sport. The statistics presented in the book played a key role in the Hall of Fame's recent induction of Negro leaguers. With its compelling stories humorous anecdotes groundbreaking statistics and insights into how baseball both reflected and changed the times "Shades of Glory" presents a full-blooded portrait of African American baseball.Read More