Synopses & Reviews
He was told that the color of his skin would keep him out of the big leagues, but Joe Black worked his way up through the Negro Leagues and the Cuban Winter League. He burst into the Majors in 1952 when he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers. In the face of segregation, verbal harassment, and even death threats, Joe Black rose to the top of his game; he earned National League Rookie of the Year and became the first African American pitcher to win a World Series game. With the same tenacity he showed in his baseball career, Black became the first African American vice president of a transportation corporation when he went to work for Greyhound. In this first-ever biography of Joe Black, his daughter Martha Jo Black tells the story not only of a baseball great who broke through the color line, but also of the father she knew and loved.
Review
“An intriguing work. Fans of baseball history will enjoy this glimpse of a lesser-known figure who holds a special place in the sport’s record books.” —Library Journal
Review
“A sentimental tribute. But Martha Jo Black, along with longtime sportswriter Chuck Schoffner, blends family memories and good research to provide a balanced portrait.” —Tampa Tribune
Review
“[An] intricate look at Black's life. If you like baseball, the Dodgers, looks into the Civil Rights era, or even just vivid collections of stories, you'll enjoy this book.” —Gaper's Block
Synopsis
He was told that the color of his skin would keep him out of the big leagues, but Joe Black worked his way up through the Negro Leagues and the Cuban Winter League. He burst into the Majors in 1952 when he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers. In the face of segregation, verbal harassment, and even death threats, Joe Black rose to the top of his game; he earned National League Rookie of the Year and became the first African American pitcher to win a World Series game. With the same tenacity he showed in his baseball career, Black became the first African American vice president of a transportation corporation when he went to work for Greyhound. In this first-ever biography of Joe Black, his daughter Martha Jo Black tells the story not only of a baseball great who broke through the color line, but also of the father she knew and loved.
About the Author
Martha Jo Black is the daughter of Joe Black and the coordinator of fan experiences for the Chicago White Sox. She lives in Chicago. Chuck Schoffner is a freelance writer and a veteran college sports writer who worked for United Press International and the Associated Press for 33 years. He lives in Des Moines, Iowa.