After Jackie

Fifteen Pioneers Who Helped Change the Face of Baseball

De: Jeffrey S. Copeland

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

Most people know the story of Jackie Robinson and his courage and struggles when breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball. However, Jackie was the pioneer for only one of the sixteen teams in Major League Baseball at the time. What about the “other fifteen” pioneers? These are their accounts. While they faced many of the same hurdles and roadblocks as Jackie, each had individual twists and turns in his journey pioneering great change in race relations in baseball and American society. Mr. Robinson took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers in April of 1947, but it wasn’t until twelve years later that the last team added a person of color (Pumpsie Green, in 1959, for the Boston Red Sox).

In both baseball history, and American history, Jackie Robinson holds an enduring place of honor and respect. While nothing will ever diminish his standing, it is also true that those who followed him in integrating their respective teams, faced their own versions of the obstacles and racism Robinson encountered. And, like Jackie, they were distinct individuals with personal lives and stories beyond their on-field performances and symbolic significance. With that in mind, After Jackie contains vivid and moving stories. It is also a contribution to the historical record.
—BOB COSTAS, Ford C. Frick Award recipient and member of the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame

Every baseball fan knows Jackie Robinson and all he accomplished. Lesser known are the other players who broke their team’s color barriers. Jeff Copeland takes a look at these men and their place in baseball history, as well as their unique stories. A fun and interesting read for any baseball fan.
—CASSIDY LENT, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum