Baseball and the Color Line

New York: Franklin Watts. Fine. (c.1995). 1st printing. Softcover. [brand-new, perfect condition]. (The African-American Experience) Series Trade PB (B&W photographs) An examination of race relations in the world of baseball, beginning in the mid-1800's, when "many talented African American excelled within the ranks of amateur baseball." Subsequently, however, "team owners, who once welcomed the addition of fine African-American players, began to exclude them from their leagues, to give the game a more 'gentlemanly' image" -- which ultimately led to the complete segregation of baseball, with black players relegated exclusively to the Negro Leagues until Jackie Robinson was called up by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1946, beginning what was essentially the "re-integration" of the sport. The book, for young readers, also examines the exploits of a number of notable 19th century players, including Bud Fowler, Fleet Walker and Frank Grant. .