Black Baseball in New York City: An Illustrated History, 1885 - 1959
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The hidden baseball empire that ruled Gotham's diamonds comes to life. Decades before the modern New York sports landscape took shape, pioneering franchises like the Lincoln Giants, the Brooklyn Royal Giants, and the New York Black Yankees dominated the diamonds of Harlem, Brooklyn, and northern New Jersey. Operating alongside the Harlem Renaissance, these teams were vital community institutions during an era of profound cultural upheaval.
In this exceptional pictorial history, Larry Lester uncovers the deeply rich, often neglected world of metropolitan Black baseball. Tracking the lineage from 19th-century sandlot clubs to sold-out exhibitions at Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds, this work captures the unique grit, elegance, and societal impact of New York's independent ballplayers. Enhance your understanding of the city's sports heritage with this essential visual and historical record. The book include vintage images of Willie Wells, Smokey Joe Williams, Satchel Paige, Minnie Minoso, Monte Irvin, Martin Dihigo, Pete Hill, Rap Dixon and Cannonball Dick Redding, among many others. |
