Only The Ball Was White (2007)

Today, it's hard to imagine professional sports without the African American athletes who have transformed nearly every league. But before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, Major League Baseball was strictly white, and some of the finest players in the country were shut out entirely. They found their home in the Negro Leagues, where they honed their skills, built legendary reputations and played some of the most exciting baseball anywhere. For decades, though, their story went largely untold. It wasn't until Robert Peterson published "Only The Ball Was White" that many readers got a serious look at the stars and journeymen of the Negro Leagues, and it took a new edition in 1992 for the book to receive the acclaim it deserved. This documentary takes Peterson's landmark work as its starting point, with thoughtful narration by actor Paul Winfield. The footage is excellent, featuring standout players like Jimmie Crutchfield alongside Hall of Famers such as Buck Leonard, Roy Campanella and the endlessly fascinating Satchel Paige. Winfield and the players make two things abundantly clear. The Negro Leagues were a living reminder of how deeply unfair segregation was. Yet they were also a showcase for extraordinary talent, and nobody involved was simply settling for second best. The players thrived, the fans packed the stands and the games were thrilling. Greatness found a way to shine even when the doors were closed, and this film honors the people who proved it. It's a delight for sports fans, baseball historians and anyone interested in American cultural history.