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The Bona Fide Legend of Cool Papa Bell: Speed, Grace, and the Negro Leagues

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The Bona Fide Legend of Cool Papa Bell: Speed, Grace, and the Negro Leagues by Lonnie Wheeler delves into the life of James "Cool Papa" Bell, a legendary baseball player known for his exceptional speed and talent in the Negro Leagues. The biography celebrates his remarkable career and influence, portraying him as a symbol of perseverance and sportsmanship during a transformative era in American history.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this captivating biography if you're fascinated by the rich history of baseball, especially the dynamic world of the Negro Leagues. This book vividly brings to life the legendary figure of Cool Papa Bell, exploring his incredible speed and impact on the sport, while also delving into broader themes of race and perseverance in America.

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Documents the life of the Negro League star and Hall of Famer, tracing Bell's sharecropping heritage, his extraordinary switch-hitting talents, and how Major League Baseball's racial barriers impacted his career.

The first full biography of the star Negro Leaguer and Hall of Famer-now in paperback

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

James "Cool Papa" Bell was a legend in Black baseball, a lightning-fast switch hitter elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974. Bell's speed was extraordinary; as Satchel Paige famously quipped, he was so fast he could flip a light switch and be in bed before the room got dark.

In The Bona Fide Legend of Cool Papa Bell, experienced baseball writer and historian Lonnie Wheeler recounts the life of this extraordinary player, a key member of some of the greatest Negro League teams in history. Born to sharecroppers in Mississippi, Bell was part of the Great Migration, and in St. Louis, baseball saved Bell from a life working in slaughterhouses.

Wheeler charts Bell's ups and downs in life and in baseball, in the United States, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, where he went to escape American racism and MLB's colour line. Rich in context and suffused in myth, this is a treat for fans of baseball history.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781419750496

Publisher: Abrams

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 14 April 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: Abrams Press

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 210.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 352

About the Author

Lonnie Wheeler (1952–2020) was the author or coauthor of many books on baseball, including I Had a Hammer with Hank Aaron, Pitch by Pitch with Bob Gibson, Sixty Feet, Six Inches with Bob Gibson and Reggie Jackson, Long Shot with Mike Piazza, Bleachers: A Summer in Wrigley Field, and Intangiball, winner of a 2016 SABR Baseball Research Award.

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  • The Bona Fide Legend of Cool Papa Bell
    The first full biography of the star Negro Leaguer and Hall of Famer James "Cool Papa" Bell (1903-1991) was a legend in black baseball, a lightning-fast switch hitter elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974. Bell's speed was extraordinary; as Satchel Paige famously quipped, he was so fast he could flip a light switch and be in...
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