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FEBRUARY 17-19 2015
KINDLE EDITION DON'T MISS IT!!
Monday, February 16, 2015
Saturday, February 7, 2015
SOUTHERN AUTHORS book spotlight
Book Spotlight on A Legend Among Us: The Story of William “Youngblood” McCrary
A Legend Among Us: The Story of William "Youngblood" McCrary
Biography, Historical Non-Fiction
This book tells the compelling story of a seventeen year old
young man who entered the Negro Baseball League, before graduating high
school, with great aspirations of playing in the Major League. Nicknamed
"Youngblood" by Satchel Paige, William McCrary is a legend in himself
and one of the few remaining figures of the acclaimed Negro Baseball
League.
Book Excerpt
When asked about the most memorable men of baseball from his time and from his standpoint, Bill replied, “There were so many great players I can’t name them all.”
Quoted from the book, When the Game was Black and White, Satchel Paige said, “I liked playing against Negro League teams, but I loved barnstorming. It gave us a chance to play everybody and go everywhere and let millions of people see what we could do. I just loved it. I’d have played every day of the year if I could.”
I had great respect for Satchel Paige because he took care of me when I left home. Remember, I was just a young boy, fresh out of high school, and I’d never been away from my family. Every morning, he would come get me for breakfast. He made sure I ate, and didn’t get too homesick. He was my mentor, and father away from home. We kept busy. I remember when we were barnstorming (traveling from place-to-place) with The Satchel Paige All-Stars. Satchel was flying in, and it was getting late (time wasn’t a factor for Satchel). Sometimes, he didn’t even show up for games, if he got a better offer for another. He arrived at the last minute, warmed up with three pitches, and said, “I’m ready to play.‟
I didn’t know any pitcher who could warm up with three pitches, and be ready for a game. Satchel was extraordinary, to say the least. He went out there and pitched seven innings of no hits; no runs baseball. The seventh inning, he called us all in, except the catcher and said, “Sit down.” We thought he had lost his mind; nobody on the field, but him and the catcher! He struck out the side and waved at the crowd. He knew what he was doing. This game was with the West League All-Stars, and Ernie Banks was on that team. Satchel brought people out to see us. He was a drawing card. He knew how to make money, and he made it. I’d say he was a negotiator, and he could do that because everybody wanted him. His skills were unmatched. Satchel did things no one else could do.
That’s why he was always busy. He’d leave one game, and be right on another field. That’s also why he often made it to a game right at the nick of time. Satchel had a hesitation pitch that they wouldn’t let him use in the majors. I tell you he was something else, and in 1971, he was the first Black man to be named to the hall of fame for his career in the Negro Baseball League alone.
The Buzz
Linda Black did a masterful job recounting the life of baseball great, Bill “Youngblood” McCrary. First, she chronicled some baseball history of various black players like Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson and others. You’ll learn that Bill McCrary had a difficult childhood because his mom died giving birth to him and his dad couldn’t manage caring for a baby, along with Bill’s older siblings.
Even though Bill’s biological father wasn’t doing actual parenting, he always attended Bill’s ball games and other activities. In this story, you’ll be introduced to people who mentored Bill, like Reverend Hadley Edwards an “Buck” O’Neill. This book is educational, interesting and informative. Not only will you learn about the baseball prowess of Mr. McCrary, but you’ll also find out about the characteristics that make him an extraordinary person. This is another wonderful book by Linda Black. Congratulations, Linda.
Reviewed by children’s author, Deanie Humphrys-Dunne
How To Purchase
A Legend Among Us: The Story of William “Youngblood” McCrary can be purchased through our bookstore.
About The Author
Learn more about Linda Pennington Black through her interview and author page.
When asked about the most memorable men of baseball from his time and from his standpoint, Bill replied, “There were so many great players I can’t name them all.”
Quoted from the book, When the Game was Black and White, Satchel Paige said, “I liked playing against Negro League teams, but I loved barnstorming. It gave us a chance to play everybody and go everywhere and let millions of people see what we could do. I just loved it. I’d have played every day of the year if I could.”
I had great respect for Satchel Paige because he took care of me when I left home. Remember, I was just a young boy, fresh out of high school, and I’d never been away from my family. Every morning, he would come get me for breakfast. He made sure I ate, and didn’t get too homesick. He was my mentor, and father away from home. We kept busy. I remember when we were barnstorming (traveling from place-to-place) with The Satchel Paige All-Stars. Satchel was flying in, and it was getting late (time wasn’t a factor for Satchel). Sometimes, he didn’t even show up for games, if he got a better offer for another. He arrived at the last minute, warmed up with three pitches, and said, “I’m ready to play.‟
I didn’t know any pitcher who could warm up with three pitches, and be ready for a game. Satchel was extraordinary, to say the least. He went out there and pitched seven innings of no hits; no runs baseball. The seventh inning, he called us all in, except the catcher and said, “Sit down.” We thought he had lost his mind; nobody on the field, but him and the catcher! He struck out the side and waved at the crowd. He knew what he was doing. This game was with the West League All-Stars, and Ernie Banks was on that team. Satchel brought people out to see us. He was a drawing card. He knew how to make money, and he made it. I’d say he was a negotiator, and he could do that because everybody wanted him. His skills were unmatched. Satchel did things no one else could do.
That’s why he was always busy. He’d leave one game, and be right on another field. That’s also why he often made it to a game right at the nick of time. Satchel had a hesitation pitch that they wouldn’t let him use in the majors. I tell you he was something else, and in 1971, he was the first Black man to be named to the hall of fame for his career in the Negro Baseball League alone.
The Buzz
Linda Black did a masterful job recounting the life of baseball great, Bill “Youngblood” McCrary. First, she chronicled some baseball history of various black players like Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson and others. You’ll learn that Bill McCrary had a difficult childhood because his mom died giving birth to him and his dad couldn’t manage caring for a baby, along with Bill’s older siblings.
Even though Bill’s biological father wasn’t doing actual parenting, he always attended Bill’s ball games and other activities. In this story, you’ll be introduced to people who mentored Bill, like Reverend Hadley Edwards an “Buck” O’Neill. This book is educational, interesting and informative. Not only will you learn about the baseball prowess of Mr. McCrary, but you’ll also find out about the characteristics that make him an extraordinary person. This is another wonderful book by Linda Black. Congratulations, Linda.
Reviewed by children’s author, Deanie Humphrys-Dunne
How To Purchase
A Legend Among Us: The Story of William “Youngblood” McCrary can be purchased through our bookstore.
About The Author
Learn more about Linda Pennington Black through her interview and author page.
SOUTHERN AUTHORS INTERVIEW
Interview with Linda Pennington Black
When did you start writing and what inspired you to start?
From the time I was a small child I’ve been writing. I was an avid reader and would read almost anything. Always toying with writing poetry and quotations, I loved Edgar Allan Poe, Robert Frost, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Ralph Waldo Emerson just to name a few. They were my inspirations.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I’ve written five published books so far and have a few more lying in the dark corners waiting to be dusted and polished. They are (1) The Adventures of Boots: The Giant Snowball, (2) A Porpoise for Cara, (3) S.T.O.P. Bullying, (4) My Daddy is a Star, and (5) A Legend Among Us: The Story of William “Youngblood” McCrary.
I’d say the first one, is my baby because it’s the one that had me in utter shock from the moment I submitted it to the publisher until the day it was published. If I’d known about the book, Writing for Dummies, I would’ve purchased it. That is how much or how little (literally) I knew about writing.
“Sell” your latest book in 120 characters – Tweet style
Are you an avid reader who loves baseball? Then this is one for your bookshelf,
The current trend in publishing is toward series novels as opposed to stand-alone books. Is your most recent release part of a series? If so, where do you see the story going (ie how many books in the series)? If not, do you have a series you’ve written or plan to write, and if so, what is it?
The first one was supposed to be a series, the publisher approved the second one but never published it. The most recent one will be a series of sort, but not the ordinary traditional series. The next two, at least, will be on subjects of the Negro Baseball League and I’m hoping for a movie.
When your latest title is adapted to film, and the producers ask for your dream cast, what will you say?
My dream cast is the best actors for the parts. Please help me and we’ll screen the diverse dream cast together.
Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?
My books are written to convey true humanitarianism and my true belief in God. I would like all my readers to see the pure quality and vulnerability of anyone as depicted in the innocence of a child.
Do you have a new book coming out soon?
Within the next year, yes.
Who are some of the authors you particularly admire or who’ve had some influence on your own writing?
Alice Walker, Maya Angelou, J.D. Salinger, James Baldwin, Mark Twain, Paul Dunbar, Danielle Steele, Ernest Hemingway, David Morrell, Richard Wright, John Steinbeck, and Zora Neale Hurston are in addition to the ones listed above.
List your favorite quotation or words you live by.
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, “I used everything you gave me.” Erma Bombeck
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Thank you, each and every one of you, and don’t give up on me as I’ll never give up on you. Although I’ll always try to write for your interest, if a book is not completely to your liking or out of your ball field, do come back, because the next one will be. Again I appreciate your support. Without you, there would be no me.
You can purchase A Legend Among Us through our bookstore and connect with her through her author page.
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