Satchel Paige [Hardcover]

Lesa Cline-Ransome (Author), James E. Ransome (Illustrator)

Book Description

Some say Leroy Paige was born with his right fist curled around a baseball. By the age of ten he could outthrow anyone, small or grown. When he wasn't toting baggage at the depot (that's how he earned money and the nickname "Satchel"), he was pitching. His coach at school told him, "You concentrate on baseball, and you might make something of yourself."

And that he did. Satchel Paige developed his own pitches (he even named them!) and a unique pitching style, complete with a grin he flashed as he released the ball. Fans packed the stands to see how many batters he could strike out in one game. They loved his confidence, his fast-talking, and the way he followed his own rules.

After just one year in the semi-pros Satch was playing in the Negro major leagues. He went on to become the first African American to pitch in a major league World Series, and the first black to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. By the time he died in 1982, he had enjoyed one of the longest and brightest careers in baseball history.

Lesa Cline-Ransome's spirited, folksy narrative and James Ransome's boldly colored, exciting paintings capture the challenges, rewards and, most of all, the unique brand of showmanship in the life of the tall, lean legend named Satchel Paige.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This first collaboration between a husband-and-wife team offers an informal, anecdotal profile of Leroy "Satchel" Paige, one of the all-time great baseball players of the Negro League, the first black pitcher to play in the major leagues and the first black inductee to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The author's style is conversational and flavorful: after explaining that Paige, the seventh of 12 children, earned money for his family by toting travelers' luggage at the train depot, she writes, "When dimes weren't enough, Leroy took to stealing. And when he could no longer run fast enough, it was stealing that caught him." Sent to reform school at age 12, Paige joined its baseball team and was thrilled to encounter "real leather balls (not the ones your mama made with a rock and a rag) and real wooden bats, too." Kids will enjoy her occasional hyperbole: "[When he stood on the mound], his foot looked to be about a mile long, and when he shot [the ball] into the air, it seemed to block out the sun. Satch's arm seemed to stretch on forever, winding, bending, twisting." Ransome's (Let My People Go) tightly edited, boldly hued oil paintings capture the on-field prowess as well as the personality of the quick-witted, feisty Paige. More sculptural than kinetic, they express the qualities of a man who often seemed larger than life. This vivid book is a fitting tribute to a baseball hero. Ages 6-10. (Jan.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-"Some say Leroy Paige was born six feet three and a half inches tall, 180 pounds, wearing a size fourteen shoe. Not a bit of truth to it." So begins this unaffected biography of the first African-American pitcher to play major league baseball and the first black Baseball Hall of Fame inductee. Written with a storyteller's sense of rhythm and pacing, Paige's history will be best appreciated as a read-aloud. For example, describing life on the road, "From the first breath of spring till the cool rush of fall he would ride. Sometimes he joined his teammates on rickety old buses, bumping along on back roads studded with potholes so deep, players would have to hold on to their seats (and stomachs) just to keep from spilling into the aisles." Paige's frustration and anger with the limitations imposed on black players are mentioned, but emphasis is placed on his talents, popularity, and success. Ransome's rich oil illustrations establish a sense of time and place, reflecting the determination and excitement the man brought to the game. An obvious choice as a biography for younger readers and definitely of interest to baseball fans of all ages, this book is a worthy addition for any collection.
Alicia Eames, New York City Public Schools
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689811519
• ISBN-13: 978-0689811517
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #938,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ransomes hit a homer with this one, March 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Satchel Paige (Hardcover)

We thoroughly enjoyed reading Satchel Paige, and feel it is a terrific book for folks of all ages, not just the younger set. Lesa Cline-Ransome truly captures the time period in describing the hardships the league players had to endure for their love of the game.In addition to being a good biography, as well as a reference book, James Ransome's beautiful illustrations put this work in the category of coffee table book, to be on display for those who visit to peruse. It's a perfect combination: a good read, and compelling illustrations!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A True Baseball Legend, August 29, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Satchel Paige (Paperback)

I really enjoyed reading about Satchel Paige in this story. Here is some information on this terrific book about Satchel Paige. Leroy or, Satchel Paige was one of the greatest pitchers of all time. He once pitched three innings for Oakland A's when he was 64 years old, which is a world record. When he was little he grew his strong arm by throwing rocks at chickens. Satchel was sometimes a trouble-maker also. Once he got into trouble the police because he tried to rob a store. When Satchel was older he played in the Negro Leagues. A little later he had arm trouble and became a coach of a team. Then suddenly his came back and he could pitch again. Even though Paige was such a good pitcher he never made it to the majors until he was in his 50's because he was black and blacks weren't aloud to play at the time. Then he met someone who was with the Cleveland Organization and he then singed with the Indians. He retired at age 64 after he pitched for the A's. Lesa Cline-Ransome tells a great life story about Leroy Paige. This book is a great book for kids who like baseball or just for anyone.

5.0 out of 5 stars interesting pitches about sathcel paige, October 7, 2009

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Satchel Paige (Paperback)

I enjoy reading about Satchel Paige.Here is some information about him.Did you know that Satchel Paige earned his name by his slow walking and fast talking pitches?He once pitched 3 innings when he was 64.In the semi-pros satchel developed his pitching style.One of his greatest pitches is when he struck out Josh Gibson the black Babe Ruth.He played for the Kanas City Monarchs in 1939.He was number 29 while playing for them.In the time satchel couldnt play with whites. That's the conflict. This book has some fasinating facts about Satchel, do you think the same?