Only the Ball Was White

Only the Ball Was White

An Inspirational Documentary About the Forgotten Athletes of Baseball's Negro League

Throughout the 1900's, before Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier in 1946, black baseball talent blossomed in the Negro Leagues. Baseball buffs still sing the praises of Josh Gibson who could be counted on to hit 70 homeruns in a season, and Satchel Paige who pitched over 100 no-hitters in his career. Only the Ball Was White pays tribute to the many topflight players from the Negro Leagues. Narrated by actor Paul Winfield, the program documents a bygone bittersweet era in baseball and the men who were denied stardom by the color line. Ballplayers throughout the country were interviewed for this program, all of them quick to tell tales of the life, the competition, and the camaraderie. These include: Satchel Paige, Roy Campanella, Buck Leonard, Jimmy Crutchfield, David Malarcher, Effa Manley, and Quincy Trouppe.

US

Made in US

9/10

1980

Documentary
WTTW/Chicago

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Cast

Paul Winfield

Paul Winfield

As Narrator

Effa Manley

Effa Manley

As Self

Don Newcombe

Don Newcombe

As Self

Leroy 'Satchel' Paige

Leroy 'Satchel' Paige

As Self

Buck Leonard

Buck Leonard

As Self

Jimmie Crutchfield

Jimmie Crutchfield

As Self

Roy Campanella

Roy Campanella

As Self

Sam Hairston

Sam Hairston

As Self

Quincy Trouppe

Quincy Trouppe

As Self

Branch Rickey Jr

Branch Rickey Jr

As Self

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