Ted Strong Jr.: The Untold Story of an Original Harlem Globetrotter and Negro Leagues All-Star

Ted Strong Jr. (1917-1978) was a two-sport athlete, a major star of the Negro Leagues, and one of the original Harlem Globetrotters. Despite his athletic dominance, he has largely been forgotten in American sports history. Sherman L. Jenkins' book shares the story of this star athlete, including his struggles with integration efforts and the decline of the Negro Leagues after Jackie Robinson's entrance into Major League Baseball.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 204 pages
Publication date: 06 February 2024
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Ted Strong Jr. (1917-1978) was a remarkable two-sport athlete who excelled in both the Negro Leagues and the Harlem Globetrotters. His exceptional skills on the field and on the court made him a major star in both sports. Strong's prominence in the Negro Leagues caught the attention of Branch Rickey, the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, and other white baseball league owners. They considered him as one of the potential players to integrate major league baseball. Strong's influence on the basketball court was equally significant when the Globetrotters defeated the formidable Minneapolis Lakers in 1948. Despite his athletic dominance in the 1930s and 40s, Strong Jr. has largely been forgotten in American sports history. In his book, Ted Strong Jr.: The Untold Story of an Original Harlem Globetrotter and Negro Leagues All-Star, Sherman L. Jenkins seeks to rectify this oversight. Jenkins delves into the life and career of Strong Jr., providing a comprehensive account of his achievements and struggles. Born Theodore Relighn Strong Jr. in South Bend, Indiana, Strong Jr. had a baseball player as his father, which undoubtedly influenced his passion for the sport. He played in seven Negro League Baseball East-West All-Star games, receiving the most votes in Black baseball history in 1939. Strong Jr. was also a key member of the 1940 Harlem Globetrotter basketball team, which won the World Professional Basketball Championship. Jenkins explores the challenges that Strong Jr. faced during his career, including his frustrations with the integration efforts promised by white baseball team owners. He also sheds light on the decline of the Negro Leagues after the entrance of Jackie Robinson into Major League Baseball.

Through extensive interviews with Strong Jr.'s father and with friends and teammates of his brother Othello, as well as a thorough review of newspaper archives, Jenkins has pieced together a compelling biography of an unsung hero in American sports history. Ted Strong Jr.'s story is a testament to his talent, perseverance, and resilience, and his contributions to both the Negro Leagues and the Harlem Globetrotters should not be overlooked. This book is a must-read for baseball and basketball fans of all ages, as it provides a fresh perspective on a remarkable athlete who deserves to be recognized for his achievements.

ISBN-13: 9781538192306