Brings attention to the accomplishments of the transitional generation of African American players - made up of men like Luscious Luke Easter, Sam ""The Jet"" Jethroe, and Sad Sam Jones - many of whom spent years in the minors, the Negro leagues, or both before getting their chance to play major league ball.

Table of Contents Introduction      1. Prelude to Integration      2. 1947—When All Hell Broke Loose      Jackie Robinson      3. 1948—The Bill Veeck Show      Larry Doby      Satchel Paige      4. 1949—The Dodgers Rule and the Giants Join In      Roy Campanella      Don Newcombe      Hank Thompson      5. 1950—The Boston Braves Get in the Act      Sam Jethroe      Luke Easter      Dan Bankhead      Monte Irvin      6. 1951—“Go-Go!” and “Say Hey!”      Minnie Minoso      Willie Mays      7. 1952—A Lull in the Action      Joe Black      Dave Hoskins      8. 1953—The Cubs Make It a Majority      Ernie Banks      Gene Baker      9. 1954—Another Banner Year      Hank Aaron      Vic Power      10. 1955—The Yankees Finally Give In      Elston Howard      Bob Thurman      11. 1956—The American League Lags Behind      Brooks Lawrence      12. 1957—Jackie Retires and the Phils Integrate      Bob Boyd      Connie Johnson      13. 1958—The Tigers Succumb and It's Down to One      George Crowe      14. 1959—The Last Holdout Folds      Sam Jones      15. The 1960s—The National League Rises to Dominance      16. Other Black Pioneers      17. These Guys Never Had a Chance      Appendix A. Roster of Black Major Leaguers (1947–1959)      Appendix B. Population of Black Players in Majors by Year      Appendix C. Black Player Firsts      Appendix D. Honors and Awards      Bibliography      Index     

“meticulous...with great detail and precision, Swaine notes the incredible persistence and remarkable achievements of these black ballplayers...brings the feats of black ballplayers to new generations of fans...accomplishes an admirable task...a remarkable read”—Nine; “superb...valuable”—ARBA; “this is the book to read”—The Courier; (SABR Negro Leagues Committee Newsletter).