The Bona Fide Legend of Cool Papa Bell: Speed, Grace, and the Negro Leagues

James "Cool Papa" Bell, a Negro Leaguer and Hall of Famer, was a legendary switch hitter with extraordinary speed. Lonnie Wheeler's The Bona Fide Legend of Cool Papa Bell chronicles his life, from his birth in Mississippi to his escape from American racism and MLB's color line in Mexico.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 14 April 2022
Publisher: Abrams

James "Cool Papa" Bell, a legendary figure in Black baseball, was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974. Renowned for his exceptional speed, Satchel Paige famously remarked that Bell was so fast that he could turn off a light switch and be in bed before the room became dark. In his captivating book, "The Bona Fide Legend of Cool Papa Bell," seasoned baseball writer and historian Lonnie Wheeler delves into the remarkable life of this extraordinary player. Born into a sharecropping family in Mississippi, Bell was a part of the Great Migration and found solace in baseball in St. Louis, diverting him from a life in slaughterhouses. Wheeler meticulously charts Bell's journey, encompassing his successes and challenges, both on and off the baseball field. Spanning the United States, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, Bell sought refuge from American racism and MLB's color barrier. This captivating biography is rich in historical context and infused with mythological elements, making it a must-read for baseball enthusiasts.

James "Cool Papa" Bell, a legendary figure in Black baseball, was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974. Renowned for his exceptional speed, Satchel Paige famously remarked that Bell was so fast that he could turn off a light switch and be in bed before the room became dark. In his captivating book, "The Bona Fide Legend of Cool Papa Bell," seasoned baseball writer and historian Lonnie Wheeler delves into the remarkable life of this extraordinary player. Born into a sharecropping family in Mississippi, Bell was a part of the Great Migration and found solace in baseball in St. Louis, diverting him from a life in slaughterhouses. Wheeler meticulously charts Bell's journey, encompassing his successes and challenges, both on and off the baseball field. Spanning the United States, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, Bell sought refuge from American racism and MLB's color barrier. This captivating biography is rich in historical context and infused with mythological elements, making it a must-read for baseball enthusiasts.

Weight: 416g
Dimension: 144 x 222 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781419750496