African American Pioneers of Baseball

A Biographical Encyclopedia

Lew Freedman

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
• Year: 2007
• eBook ISBN: 9780313082269
• Edition: 0
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Popular Culture
• Index: Social Sciences

When Jackie Robinson became the first African American player in major league baseball in 1947, elbowing aside the league's policies of segregation that had been inviolate for 60 years, he became a symbol of opportunity and acceptance for African American players everywhere. Robinson withstood discrimination to establish himself as a Hall of Fame player, and to lead future generations of black players into the previously all-white world of Major League Baseball. Written for students and general readers alike, this biographical encyclopedia chronicles the history of African American baseball through the life stories of the game's greatest players, the legends who played a significant role in the integration of the major league. From Negro League stars Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson, to color line shatterer Jackie Robinson, and those who followed them in the limelight, such as Hank Aaron and Willie Mays, readers will learn how the inclusion of African American players in Major League Baseball improved the sport and race relations in the United States during this critical period in history. Providing detailed accounts of each player's amazing professional achievements, this insightful reference describes how the spectacular talents of African American players elevated Major League Baseball forever. Features include a timeline of important events, numerous photographs, and a bibliography of print and electronic sources for further reading.

Table of contents

• CONTENTS
• Preface
• Introduction
• Timeline
• Buck O'Neil (November 13, 1911–October 6, 2006)
• Judy Johnson (October 26, 1899–June 15, 1989)
• Buck Leonard (September 8, 1907–November 27, 1997)
• Cool Papa Bell (May 17, 1903–March 7, 1991)
• Josh Gibson (December 21, 1911–January 20, 1947)
• Jackie Robinson (January 31, 1919–October 24, 1972)
• Roy Campanella (November 19, 1921–June 26, 1993)
• Don Newcombe (June 14, 1926– )
• Larry Doby (December 13, 1923–June 18, 2003)
• Satchel Paige (July 7, 1906–June 8, 1982)
• Monte Irvin (February 25, 1919– )
• Willie Mays (May 6, 1931– )
• Willie McCovey (January 10, 1938– )
• Ernie Banks (January 31, 1931– )
• Elston Howard (February 23, 1929–December 14, 1980)
• Minnie Minoso (November 29, 1922– )
• Frank Robinson (August 31, 1935– )
• Bob Gibson (November 9, 1935– )
• Curt Flood (January 18, 1938–January 20, 1997)
• Hank Aaron (February 5, 1934– )
• Bibliography
• Index