{"product_id":"black-baseball-in-alabama-rough-diamonds-of-dixie-9781467170338","title":"Black Baseball in Alabama: Rough Diamonds of Dixie","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWelcome to the wild, true history of Black baseball in Alabama.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom the gritty fields of Birmingham and Montgomery to the national stage of Cooperstown, \u003cem\u003eBlack Baseball in Alabama\u003c\/em\u003e uncovers the real-life drama, danger, and determination that built one of America's most important sports legacies. Author Shane Earnest explores how Black players, managers, and entrepreneurs navigated racism, segregation, and economic hardship. They transformed baseball into a thriving entertainment business alongside politicians, musicians, gamblers, gangsters, and bootleggers. These men and women took baseball from Alabama's cotton fields and coal mines all the way to Cooperstown. Whether you're a \u003cstrong\u003eNegro Leagues historian\u003c\/strong\u003e, a \u003cstrong\u003eBlack sports history buff\u003c\/strong\u003e, or a fan of \u003cstrong\u003eAlabama baseball heritage\u003c\/strong\u003e, this book is packed with powerful, rarely told stories that shaped the soul of American baseball, complete with many rare photos of a historic era in baseball.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eShane Earnest, creator of the award-winning \u003cem\u003eMontgomery Baseball Blog\u003c\/em\u003e, has built a reputation for revealing the hidden stories of Alabama baseball. Telling the tale of baseball in Alabama is his lifelong passion. For nearly two decades, he has covered a variety of baseball action, working as an on-field photographer and researching the origins of the game. A lifelong resident of Montgomery, Alabama, he has interviewed hundreds of current and former players, officials and front office executives dating back to the 1920s, including MLB All-Stars and Hall of Famers. Recognized as the leading source of Alabama baseball history on the web, Shane combines gonzo-style journalism and a love of local lore to cast new light on stories long buried. Shane Earnest works as a freelance photographer and musician, as well as lecturing on baseball history and writing his popular blog. He lives in Montgomery with his wife and a few happy cats.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"History Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51967111921938,"sku":"9781467170338","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_1dd54fe2-297e-4e9a-94e0-503db69af0ae.jpg?v=1768926113","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/black-baseball-in-alabama-rough-diamonds-of-dixie-9781467170338","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}