A Forgotten Negro League Star: A Personal Look at Al Burrows

The book tells Al Burrows' story--the same story for many of the Negro League players--playing black baseball, while ultimately being denied the opportunity to join a white Major League organization, because of the color line drawn by segregation. Al Burrows' baseball career included playing a short time for the New York Black Yankees and several years playing for the Indianapolis Clowns. The many in-depth interviews with the Negro League baseball players and fans tells a story often unheard in African American history. The mere fact that Negro League teams played white teams and won more games than they lost began to be a threat to white baseball players. They felt that their positions were in jeopardy if blacks were allowed to play with them. White players and fans often yelled racial epithets at any "colored" player within listening range. This was a time of heated emotions and white players were often extremely hostile towards black players. Then, there is the dispute of whether black baseball players during the late 1940's and early 1950's are actual Negro League players or barnstorming players. The book tells about the missed opportunities, and the many trials and tribulations of the players, but also provides Negro League history, baseball trivia, black baseball facts, myths and rumors, as well as providing 26 black and white photographs, most unseen. It took me a year and a half to research most of the information. I wanted to provide educational and invaluable information about black baseball. The book includes a list of Negro League Teams by state, a list of surviving Negro League players and many black baseball facts that are not so well known. This book is loaded with historical facts about black baseball and is an easy read for adults as well as children. I enjoyed writing the book and I'm an avid New York Yankees fan!

This book is an insightful, thoughtful and occasionally touching account of the career of Al Burrows, one of the many long-overlooked stars of the old Negro Leagues. An extremely well-written book, A FORGOTTEN NEGRO LEAGUE STAR describes the struggles and triumphs of a man who played baseball for the love of the game. Historically, it certainly gives a perspective on a way of life which is almost incomprehensible to those of us who can only imagine what life must have been like in America--and in sports, particularly--in the pre-Jackie Robinson days of baseball.

I truly enjoyed reading CHERYL ROBINSON's "A Forgotten Negro League Star." My favorite spectator sports are Karate, Boxing, and Basketball. Some of the last sports books I read were about Ali and Bruce Lee. But this book was by far the best book I've read about a sports star like Al Burrows since those two. I applaude Ms Robinson on making it easy to read and interesting to this man (who's not really a big baseball fan). But I found it exciting to read about Al and the others who made American History playing a game they truly loved tho the LOVE, FAME, AND FINANCES weren't always returned to negroes like whites. It made me wish he'd gotten his major league chance. I look forward to reading more from CHERYL ROBINSON.