Full Description
Cumberland Posey began his career in 1911 playing outfield for the Homestead Grays, a local black team in his Pennsylvania hometown. He soon became the squad's driving force as they dominated semi-pro ball in the Pittsburgh area. By the late 1930s the Grays were at the top of the Negro Leagues with nine straight pennant wins.
Posey was also a League officer; he served 13 years as the first black member of the Homestead school board; and he wrote an outspoken sports column for the African American weekly, the Pittsburgh Courier. He was regarded as one of the best black basketball players in the East; he was the organizer of a team that held the consensus national black championship five years running. Ten years after his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, he became a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame—one of only two athletes to be honored by two pro sports halls.
Contents
Preface
One. A Son of Old Pittsburgh, with a New Idea
Two. Shooting Baskets, Throwing Elbows, Winning It All
Three. "McGraw of the Sandlots"
Four. Posey: "Fans Love a Winner"
Five. Superb Teams, but a Failed League
Six. Who Owns Pittsburgh?
Seven. Posey in Homestead
Eight. The Championship Years
Nine. Executive Decisions
Ten. "Baseball Has Lost Its Greatest Name—Cum Posey!"
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
