The Negro Leagues might not be as well-known as the MLB, but their impact on the sport of baseball is still felt today. In this enthralling debut, Perron, along with journalist Chiles, discusses several outstanding Negro League ballplayers and how the league came to be. Starting in 2007, Perron wrote letters to former players, asking them for their autographs; what he received in return was much more. After writing the letters, he started receiving phone calls from players, which eventually turned into friendships. Players like Bob Mitchell and Mudcat Grant shared their stories of playing baseball and the racism they experienced in the sport. This inspired Perron to organize a reunion while helping to create a Negro League museum in Birmingham, AL. The players’ stories shine throughout, and even readers who aren’t familiar with the league will enjoy hearing stories of Cool Papa Bell, Randolph Bowe, and Joe Elliot, among others, and how they fought for recognition. VERDICT Baseball fans will thoroughly enjoy this captivating look into a side of the sport they might not know about. This heartfelt book, with a foreword by Hank Aaron, is a must-read, and Perron’s personable writing succeeds in giving often overlooked players a voice.