Using an "Everyman" player as his narrator, Kadir Nelson tells the story of Negro League baseball from its beginnings in the 1920s through the decline after Jackie Robinson crossed over to the majors in 1947. Illustrations from oil paintings by artist Kadir Nelson.

On June 19, 1846 at the Elysian Fields in Hoboken, New Jersey, a team of well-dressed gentlemen, the Knickerbockers, play the first game of baseball. By 1985, the game is called the "national pastime" or "Our Game."

Baseball is seeing many changes. Free agency, multi-million dollar salaries, designated hitters, a new all-time home run champion, and a Canadian world champion. And yet today we can still look at the game and see something not much different than what our fathers and grandfathers saw.

"Bestselling author Peter Golenbock brings to life baseball greats from the 1940s, '50s, and '60s with Whispers of the Gods. Like the enduring classic The Glory of Their Times, this book is based on hundreds of hours of taped interviews featuring the likes of Roy Campanella, Ted Williams, Phil Rizzuto, Jim Bouton, Stan Musial, and more"--

Baseball is seeing many changes. Free agency, multi-million dollar salaries, designated hitters, a new all-time home run champion, and a Canadian world champion. And yet today we can still look at the game and see something not much different than what our fathers and grandfathers saw.

The 1920s begin with baseball trying to recover from the scandal of the 1919 World Series. America finds relief in George Herman "Babe" Ruth who is one of the best pitchers in baseball. In 1919 he hits 29 homers for the Red Sox, more than any player has ever hit in a single season.

In 1894, sportswriter Byron Bancroft Johnson takes over a struggling Western League and turns it into a financial success. In 1900, he changes its name to the American League and begins talking about challenging the National League. In 1903, the first World Series is played between the American League Boston Pilgrims and the National League Pittsburgh Pirates.

When the night of October 16, 2004 came to a merciful end, the Curse of the Bambino was alive and well. The New York Yankees, led by A-Rod, Jeter, and Sheffield, had just extended their ALCS lead to 3 games to none over the Boston Red Sox, and seemed on course to yet another trip to the World Series. But the cold October winds of change began to blow. Over 4 consecutive days and nights, this determined Red Sox team miraculously won 4 straight games...