When Jackie Robinson became the first African American player in major league baseball in 1947, elbowing aside the league's policies of segregation that had been inviolate for 60 years, he became a symbol of opportunity and acceptance for African American players everywhere. Robinson withstood discrimination to establish himself as a Hall of Fame player, and to lead future generations of black players into the previously all-white world of Major League Baseball. Written for students and general readers alike, this biographical encyclopedia chronicles the history of African American baseball through the life stories of the legends who played a significant role in the integration of the major league. Among the featured: Buck O'Neil, Judy Johnson, Buck Leonard, Cool Papa Bell, Josh Gibson, Roy Campanella, Larry Doby, Satchel Paige, Monte Irvin, Willie McCovey, Ernie Banks, Elston Howard, Minnie Minoso, Frank Robinson, Bob Gibson, Curt Flood, and Hank Aaron.