Right Time: John Henry Pop Lloyd and Black Baseball

by Wes Singletary

Although he never played a day in the white major leagues, John Henry Pop Lloyd was one of the greatest baseball players who ever lived. A shortstop who could take over a game with his glove or his bat, Lloyd dominated early black baseball, drawing comparisons to the most celebrated National Leaguer of his day, Honus Wagner, who declared it a privilege to be mentioned with Lloyd. Beginning his career years before the first Negro National League was established, Lloyd played for a dizzying number of teams, following the money, as he'd put it, throughout the country and sometimes past its borders, doing several stints in Cuba. He was seemingly ageless, winning two batting titles in his 40s and playing at the highest levels of blackball until he was 48. (He would continue to coach and play semi-pro baseball for another ten years.) Admired by teammates and opponents alike for his generosity and quiet strength, Lloyd was also one of the most beloved figures in white or black baseball.

235 pages, ebook

First published April 14, 2011

Reviews

[Tami Montano · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book courtesy of the Early Review Giveaway. I found this to be triumphant story of true courage in character, and how one man still played with respect for others, even when others shunned him for his color, while playing baseball. It shows the struggle of what African Americans faced during that time period.