Using an "Everyman" player as his narrator, Kadir Nelson tells the story of Negro League baseball from its beginnings in the 1920s through the decline after Jackie Robinson crossed over to the majors in 1947. Illustrations from oil paintings by artist Kadir Nelson.

Highlights the life and accomplishments of the shortstop and captain of the New York Yankees.

In 1931, seventeen-year-old Jackie Mitchell pitches against Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in an exhibition game, becoming the first professional female pitcher in baseball history.

Nearly two dozen professional baseball players, such as Pedro Martinez and Derek Jeter, provide insights into how they prepare for and play the game.

"A picture book biography about Lizzie Murphy, the first woman to play in a major league exhibition game and the first person to play on both the New England and American leagues' all-star teams"--

Able to Play shares the inspiring stories of four baseball players. Mordecai (Three Finger) Brown, Ron Santo, Jim Abbott, and Curtis Pride faced physical challenges other players did not have. With determination and guts, they didn't just overcome; they excelled. This book is a game-changing celebration of overcoming odds.

"Before Pedro Martínez pitched the Red Sox to a World Series championship, before he was named to the All-Star team eight times, before he won the Cy Young Award three times, he was a kid from a place called Manoguayabo in the Dominican Republic. Pedro loved baseball more than anything, and his older brother Ramón was the best pitcher he'd ever seen. He dreamed of the day he and his brother could play together in the major leagues. This is the story...

Introduces the Negro Leagues of baseball, highlighting the players, coaches, owners, and teams that dominated the leagues during the 1930s and 1940s.