The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues [Paperback]

James A. Riley (Editor), Monte Irvin (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786709596 | ISBN-13: 978-0786709595 | Publication Date: March 12, 2002

Now available in a handsomely produced oversized paperback—with expanded information and 24 pages of black-and-white photographs—The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues documents more than four thousand players on Negro League teams from 1872 through 1950. Called "one of the best reference books of the year" by Library Journal and named an outstanding academic book of the year by the American Library Association, this is the first book to cover comprehensively the careers of all African Americans who played with a team of major-league quality or whose careers are featured in the history of America’s Pastime. It delivers a wealth of information, from vital statistics and the standard baseball figures of batting averages and pitching records to career data, including years of active play, positions played, team affiliations, and even nicknames. To create this one-of-a-kind reference, baseball authority James A. Riley traveled the country to interview the surviving members of the Negro Leagues about their exploits and the careers of their now-deceased teammates. With this invaluable firsthand information, Riley brings to life the careers of such greats as Satchel Paige, Ray Dandridge, Josh Gibson, and Leon Day. Looking past Jackie Robinson’s breaking of the color barrier in 1947, he profiles all Major League Hall of Fame players who also played in the Negro Leagues such as Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Ernie Banks, and Roy Campanella. “A landmark publication in the fields of baseball history and African-American history … a one-of-a-kind work.”—Booklist

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Editor Riley is an accomplished writer and a recognized authority on the Negro leagues, having published numerous books on the subject (e.g., Too Dark for the Hall , T.K. Pubs., 1991). His comprehensive reference book documents the careers of 4000 players on teams of major league caliber between 1872 and 1950. Notable Hall of Famers included are Hank Aaron, Satchel Paige, Ernie Banks, and Jackie Robinson. Arranged alphabetically, the citations contain a variety of biographical and statistical information. This valuable compilation also provides illustrations, team histories, an appendix on players, plus an exhaustive bibliography detailing books, periodicals, booklets, and newpaper articles. Public libraries should purchase where demand warrants.
- L.R. Little, Penticton P.L., British Columbia
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

This is a landmark publication in the fields of baseball history and African American history. It documents more than 4,000 players on Negro League teams from 1872 through 1950. According to the publisher, this is the first book to comprehensively cover the careers of all African Americans who played with a team of major-league quality or whose careers had some historical significance. It includes all major-league Hall of Fame players who also played in the Negro League.

The author traversed the country, interviewing men who played in the Negro Leagues about their baseball exploits and the careers of their now-deceased teammates. Information was also gathered by analyzing archival resources for contemporary accounts of games and by viewing microfilm reels of black newspapers. Entries include player name and nicknames, media names, etc.; vital statistics, such as height and weight, birth and death dates; and career information, including years of active play, positions played, teams of which the player was a member. Standard baseball statistical data, such as batting averages and pitching records, are given in the body of the text. The length of entries ranges from 20-word footnotelike entries to a 2,000-word essay on the great pitcher Satchel Paige.

Entries include delightful anecdotal material as well. For instance, the entry for pitcher Luis Tiant (father of the 1970s Red Sox pitcher of the same name) notes his wily moves and deceptive screwball with which he held Babe Ruth to a single in a double-header. Other entries chronicle the careers of players generally unknown to the public, many of whom were some of the best men to ever play the game. Such is the case of perhaps the most versatile player, Martin Dihigo, who played virtually every position of the infield (including pitcher) and outfield for 22 years (1923-45) in the Negro League and in Latin America. One year in Mexico he led the league in hitting with a .387 batting average and also in pitching with a 18-2 record and .097 ERA.

Not all entries are biographical: there are many entries on Negro League teams. An appendix provides a bibliography of books, periodicals, newspapers, and special collections and a list of players interviewed. Three inserts of photographs of players are included.

The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues is a one-of-a-kind work that all public libraries should acquire. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 976 pages
• Publisher: Carroll & Graf (March 12, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786709596
• ISBN-13: 978-0786709595
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 1.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,533,253 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If You Love Baseball..., August 7, 2001

By 

MCB (Orange, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues (Hardcover)

...I question that love if you do not have this book. This is the most concise collection of biographies, stats, and information about every human involved with the development, management, and participation in every Negro League that ever existed. Even players whose first name was not known is listed with at least a few words about when they played and for whom. And the players with extensive history is detailed along with stats and other great side stories about them. There is even information on the teams in the Negro Leagues, which I found most interesting. I don't know of any other book that has as much information on the lesser-known players and behind-the-scenes people in the Negro Leagues than this one. If you are a Negro League fan, you probably already have this book. But if you are a baseball fan in general, you MUST have this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most complete stadistical book of the Negro Legues!!!!, November 25, 2010

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues (Paperback)

This book is amanzing!!! have the most complete resourse about the stadistical of the Negro Legue(Players an teams). This is not a historical book like (Only the Ball Was White, We are the Ship, etc), The focus of this work is the historical stadistic of the complete negro legue. I enjoyed read it.

5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Addition To The Bibliography Of The Negro Leagues, January 8, 2007

By 

Jeff C. Dunford (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues (Paperback)

Exactly What It's title advertises - an alphabetical listings of players and personalities associated with the Negro Leagues of Baseball. Ranks with "Only the Ball Was White" and The works of John B.Holway as essntial to a study of the subject. Definitely recommended.