Read the foreword by former MLB Commissioner Fay Vincent HERE
10 REASONS why YOU should read "RUBE FOSTER In His Time . . ."
1. With more than 120 books written in three languages about Babe Ruth, and more than 200 books about barrier breaker Jackie Robinson, why was it important to write a book about Andrew “Rube” Foster? Page 3
2. Did Foster really earn his nickname by defeating the famed Rube Waddell, or did he steal the name of white baseball’s most prolific strikeout king? Pages 22-24
3. What were Foster’s secrets to pitching success? Pages 28-29
4. Who was Frank Leland and why did he file a lawsuit against Foster’s Leland Giants? Pages 42-44
5. Who was the first man to organize an all-black professional league that survived a full season? Page 114
6. Who employed black umpires in league play for the first time? Pages 136-143.
7. Who pitched seven (7) no-hitters from 1901 to 1908? Pages 193-195
8. What was the medical cause of Foster’s insanity and eventual death? Pages 166-68, 226-27, 231
9. If Henry Chadwick is considered the “father of baseball,” why is Rube Foster often considered the “godfather of black baseball?”
10. Who created the 3rd largest black-owned business in America?
In a 1952 poll the fans selected the greatest players and managers of all time in black baseball. The Pittsburgh Courier printed this verdict for the winning manager:
2. Did Foster really earn his nickname by defeating the famed Rube Waddell, or did he steal the name of white baseball’s most prolific strikeout king? Pages 22-24
3. What were Foster’s secrets to pitching success? Pages 28-29
4. Who was Frank Leland and why did he file a lawsuit against Foster’s Leland Giants? Pages 42-44
5. Who was the first man to organize an all-black professional league that survived a full season? Page 114
6. Who employed black umpires in league play for the first time? Pages 136-143.
7. Who pitched seven (7) no-hitters from 1901 to 1908? Pages 193-195
8. What was the medical cause of Foster’s insanity and eventual death? Pages 166-68, 226-27, 231
9. If Henry Chadwick is considered the “father of baseball,” why is Rube Foster often considered the “godfather of black baseball?”
10. Who created the 3rd largest black-owned business in America?
In a 1952 poll the fans selected the greatest players and managers of all time in black baseball. The Pittsburgh Courier printed this verdict for the winning manager:
"Andrew 'Rube' Foster was selected Manager without too much opposition. Called the 'foremost' of 'em all in training a team to its highest efficiency, he got the most of the players' playing skill, directing their talents to his own most effective strategy . . . the most successful in baseball history. He was hailed as one of the managerial geniuses of all times. His teams were always winners!"
Discover more about the man, the myth, & the magnificent manager that developed the up-tempo and creative style of play seen on today's diamond.
The book "In His Time" is right on time!
"In this work, Larry Lester goes beyond what many researchers could expect to find in gleaning the information necessary for this exceptionally well-documented look at the black game’s early years...while Lester tells the story well, it is the research accompanying the narrative that stands out...outstanding...fascinating...recommend"-- SABR Deadball Committee Newsletter.
The book "In His Time" is right on time!
"In this work, Larry Lester goes beyond what many researchers could expect to find in gleaning the information necessary for this exceptionally well-documented look at the black game’s early years...while Lester tells the story well, it is the research accompanying the narrative that stands out...outstanding...fascinating...recommend"-- SABR Deadball Committee Newsletter.
eBook & paperback Available at
"Ode to Big Rube Foster" by R.J. Page
Andrew “Rube” Foster is considered the Father of Black Baseball by those that are familiar with his contributions to the sport. The problem is, Foster has toiled in anonymity for so long that most are unaware of these contributions. Having recently read Negro League historian Larry Lester’s latest book on Rube Foster, it is evident that “Big Rube” stands at the apex of black baseball while few people realize the tremendous impact he had on Major League Baseball as well. On the 94th birthday of Jackie Robinson, I’d like to shine a light on the man who paved the way for number 42. This is Mr. Page's ode to Rube Foster the pitcher, manager, commissioner, and visionary.
- Click HERE to read the complete review by R.J. Page.
- Click HERE to read a review by Wes Singletary, author of "The Right Time: John Henry "Pop" Lloyd and Black Baseball" published in 2011.
- Click HERE to read a review by Todd Peterson, author of "Early Black Baseball in Minnesota."
