Stockton to Welcome Author, Support Literacy
The Ports and Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce are hosting this appearance in support of the Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library Summer Reading Program, The Library & Literacy Foundation for San Joaquin County, and The Friends of the Stockton Public Library.
Tye will discuss his book in a pre-game speech, and will be available to sign copies of the book on the concourse. Through the generous donations of several organizations in Stockton, the first 350 families to enter the gates for the 7:05 p.m. game against San Jose will receive a free copy of the book.
"We are very proud to be able to work with the Mayor, Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, and so many other groups to present this event," said Ports President and General Manager Pat Filippone. "Satchel Paige and the Negro Leagues are an important part of baseball history, and we are excited to be able to share such a well-researched book with so many children.
"The Ports are dedicated to supporting child literacy, and our Baseball by the Books program has been highly successful. We are excited to add to our literacy efforts by hosting Larry Tye and introducing students to the history of the Negro Leagues and its stars like Satchel Paige."
The Random House book, which goes on sale on June 9, is a carefully researched story about one of the most dominating pitchers in baseball history. Paige, who spent more than 20 years in the Negro Leagues, is credited with winning approximately 2,000 games, pitching in about 2,500 games, and tossing 50 shutouts. Paige made his major league debut on July 9, 1948 with the Cleveland Indians, at the age of 42. He helped lead them to a pennant that season.
Paige played in the Major Leagues from 1948 until 1965, having a professional baseball career spanning nearly forty years. Paige represented the St. Louis Browns in the All-Star Game in 1952 and 1953. In his long career, Paige played with and against athletes such as Jackie Robinson, Buck O'Neill, Joe DiMaggio, Bob Feller, Josh Gibson, and Cool Papa Bell. Paige barnstormed across the country, and played in other countries such as Cuba and Mexico.
"Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend" reveals how Paige employed a "shuffling" stereotype to disarm critics and racists, and comically invented facts-including his own age-to deflect inquiry and remain elusive to help build his own myth. By examining Paige's role in baseball, Tye reveals how much Paige shaped the integration of Major League Baseball.
Larry Tye was a prize-winning journalist at the Boston Globe and a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University. An avid baseball fan, Tye now runs a Boston-based training program for medical journalists. He is the author of The Father of Spin, Home Lands, and Rising from the Rails, and co-author, with Kitty Dukakis, of Shock. He resides in Lexington, Massachusetts.
For more information, please contact the Stockton Ports at (209) 644-1900 or visit www.larrytye.com.