Tragedy in Black Baseball

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Tragedy in Black Baseball

Early Deaths of 136 Negro Leaguers, 1871-1950

Social and cultural history History of sport Baseball

Author: Chris Jensen

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Language: English

Published by: McFarland

Published on: 25th February 2026

Format: LCP-protected ePub

Size: 383 pages

ISBN: 9781476657615


Book Content

This book profiles 136 Negro League players, managers, and executives, presenting details of their playing careers and the circumstances surrounding their deaths. It includes Hall of Famers like Josh Gibson and Rube Foster; stars like Rap Dixon, Bill Monroe, Ted Trent, and Frank Warfield; and more obscure players whose stories deserve greater recognition.

Featured are players such as Octavius Catto, one of the greatest civil rights activists of the 19th century and a pioneering baseball player who was assassinated on Election Day in 1871; Fred Goree, who was murdered by a police officer during a traffic stop in 1925; and James Bowens, who was lynched by an angry mob in 1895. Barred from competing in the major leagues because of the color of their skin, these Black baseball players demonstrated a resilient spirit and a love for the game that transcended the adversity they faced.

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