Black Diamond

The ALAN Review - Alan M. McLeod

Until 1947 it was not possible for Blacks to play major league baseball. This book presents some of the stars of the Negro leagues for whom the right to play in the majors came too late-Oscar Charleston, "Cool Papa" Bell, Josh Gibson, and "Buck" Leonard, for instance. It also presents some of the athletes who eventually made it to the major leagues-Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, and Roy Campanella, among others. Through twelve chapters, with ample photographs and anecdotes, the authors provide a glimpse at segregated baseball-its legends, status, tribulations, and drama. This history reminds us how fortunate we are to have seen the Frank Robinsons, Ernie Banks, and Hank Aarons we might not have seen had desegregation not occurred when it did, and what we missed by not being able to see "Satchel" Paige in his prime, or Ray Dandridge or Martin Dihigo.

Children's Literature - Mary Quattlebaum

Excluded from playing major league baseball until 1947, when Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers, African Americans set up their own leagues and followed great players such as Satchel Paige and Cool Papa Bell. A time line in the back sets these baseball accomplishments in a broader historical context and a bibliography points the way to other books on the subject.