Sol White's Official Baseball Guide

Book excerpt: Sol White was a standout player and manager in the early years of professional African American baseball. In 1907, he wrote and published the first and only account of the stars, teams, and great feats of the era. For more than 60 years the Sol White Guide remained the only work devoted to black baseball history. Without White's vision, much of the information and images in the book would be lost forever. From the 57 rare photographs, to the game accounts and box scores, to the early 20th century diamond lingo, Sol White's Official Base Ball Guide is an irreplaceable time capsule of a critical yet nearly forgotten chapter in baseball history. The Summer Game Books edition includes an introduction by historian Gary Ashwill, tracing the origins and development of the African American game, recounting White's life both on and off the field, and documenting the tremendous impact the Guide has had on baseball scholarship. The richly annotated text provides fascinating details and sidebars to the narrative, and includes a 14-page Who's Who section filled with career highlights and colorful stories about all the major figures in the book. Few individuals belong in the company of Jackie Robinson for the impact they had on the advancement of African Americans in baseball. "King Solomon" White is one who does, and Sol White's Official Base Ball Guide is his greatest contribution.