Only the Ball Was White

Story

Synopsis

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.

Director

Ken Solarz

Writers

Ken Solarz

Language

English

Country

United States of America

Release date

21 February 1980

Ensemble

Cast

• 

  Paul Winfield

  Narrator

• Effa Manley

  Self

• Don Newcombe

  Self

• Leroy 'Satchel' Paige

  Self

• Buck Leonard

  Self

• Jimmie Crutchfield

  Self

• Roy Campanella

  Self

• Sam Hairston

  Self

• Quincy Trouppe

  Self

• Branch Rickey Jr

  Self