cover image Leagues Apart: The Men and Times of the Negro Baseball Leagues

Leagues Apart: The Men and Times of the Negro Baseball Leagues

Lawrence S. Ritter. HarperCollins, $15 (1pp) ISBN 978-0-688-13316-0

At the start of his concise yet conversational chronicle, Ritter (The Glory of Their Times) bluntly explains the need for the Negro Leagues, founded in 1920: ""Prejudiced team owners, encouraged by bigoted players, established racist rules that prevented black athletes from playing in the major leagues, regardless of their skills."" Into his story of the different Leagues' history, Ritter weaves brief biographical sketches of such key players as Josh Gibson and Satchel Paige. Helping to flesh out these athletes and offering a stylized view of the era are handsome, vibrantly hued oil pastel portraits by New Yorker artist Merkin. As Ritter's account of what he terms an ""ugly and shameful chapter in American history"" draws to a close, readers will cheer the decision of Branch Rickey, president of the Brooklyn Dodgers, to desegregate his team in 1945. (Rickey immediately hired the now-legendary Jackie Robinson.) This respectful tribute makes a worthwhile addition to any young ballplayer's library. All ages. (Feb.)