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Negro Baseball Leagues: Tales of Umpiring Legendary Players, Breaking Barriers, and Making American History
Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Negro Leagues with updates and additions throughout!
The Kansas City Monarchs, the Chicago American Giants, the St. Louis Stars, the Birmingham Black Barons, the Homestead Grays, and the Indianapolis Clowns; for over fifty years, they were the Yankees, Cardinals, and Red Sox of black baseball in America. And for over a decade beginning in the late 1940s, umpire Bob Motley called balls and strikes for many of their games, working alongside such legends as Satchel Paige, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, and Willie Mays.
Today, Motley is the only living arbiter from the Negro Leagues. His personal account of the Negro Leagues is a revealing, humorous, and unforgettable memoir celebrating a long-lost league and a remarkable group of baseball players. In this brand new 100-year anniversary edition of Ruling Over Monarchs, Giants, and Stars, Motley and his son Byron share the characters, adventures, and challenges faced by these amazing men as they enthusiastically embraced America’s pastime and made it their own. Filled with stories of talented heroes, small miracles, and downright fun, this unique memoir is a must-read for any baseball fan.
The Kansas City Monarchs, the Chicago American Giants, the St. Louis Stars, the Birmingham Black Barons, the Homestead Grays, and the Indianapolis Clowns; for over fifty years, they were the Yankees, Cardinals, and Red Sox of black baseball in America. And for over a decade beginning in the late 1940s, umpire Bob Motley called balls and strikes for many of their games, working alongside such legends as Satchel Paige, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, and Willie Mays.
Today, Motley is the only living arbiter from the Negro Leagues. His personal account of the Negro Leagues is a revealing, humorous, and unforgettable memoir celebrating a long-lost league and a remarkable group of baseball players. In this brand new 100-year anniversary edition of Ruling Over Monarchs, Giants, and Stars, Motley and his son Byron share the characters, adventures, and challenges faced by these amazing men as they enthusiastically embraced America’s pastime and made it their own. Filled with stories of talented heroes, small miracles, and downright fun, this unique memoir is a must-read for any baseball fan.
280 pages, Hardcover
Published November 3, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 8, 2021
Awesome story of a truly unique man with a unique life experience. I really enjoyed reading all of the different names of Negro League players I had never heard of before as Bob reminisced on his umpiring career. If you love baseball and want to learn more about its 'forgotten past', this will a great book to read.
July 30, 2026
I enjoyed reading this book very much. I found it engaging, funny in places, and very well written. Bob Motley will pull you into his life of a Negro League umpire with all his successes and disappointments. I highly recommend you read this book, especially if you are a baseball fan. Then continue learning by visiting the Negro League Museum on 18th & Vine in Kansas City, Missouri. He was a part of putting it together.
December 31, 2021
Great read
This is a wonderful story of a legend. Larry Doby was my favorite player when I was a kid. I saw some of these great guys play. I saw the Jim crow south in 1961. I still feel the pain if what I saw but Bob lived it and never gave up his dreams and hopes. This is a wonderful record of baseball and American history
This is a wonderful story of a legend. Larry Doby was my favorite player when I was a kid. I saw some of these great guys play. I saw the Jim crow south in 1961. I still feel the pain if what I saw but Bob lived it and never gave up his dreams and hopes. This is a wonderful record of baseball and American history
December 12, 2022
Such an inspiration!
Such an inspiration! So persistent and passionate in the face of racism. And so accomplished. The Marines and baseball community were blessed to call him one of their own.
Such an inspiration! So persistent and passionate in the face of racism. And so accomplished. The Marines and baseball community were blessed to call him one of their own.
January 4, 2024
loved this book
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews