-The careers of 20 athletes, inlcuding Ray Campanella, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron, are highlighted with reference to their contributions to the Negro Leagues and/or major league baseball mid-century, when their impact on the sport was most dramatic. The author's anecdotal style is especially affecting in describing his subjects, their struggles with racism, and their travails. —Curriculum Connections

-Freedman's approach, which includes plenty of quotations and fascinating anecdotes, such as Don Newcombe's daring to get into a public argument with a white man during spring training in Florida, makes the book both an excellent source and a compelling sports history. —American Reference Books Annual

-This excellent and readable book tells the stories of 20 African-American baseball players, both old-timers excluded from the major leagues by segregation....and relatively newer players such as Ernie Banks, Bob, Gibson, and Hank Aaron. The book works at two levels--first, as an account of what it meant to be an African-American baseball player in the United States, and second, as a great read about very good players....There are pictures throughout, and an index, both of which add to the book's quality....This book is both educational and enjoyable, and is highly recommended. —MultiCultural Review