"The integration of baseball did not guarantee equality or solve the games racial struggles. It sometimes even caused more problems for African American players and their white teammates. This was the case in Philadelphia, where, for instance, Phillies manager Ben Chapman instructed his players to verbally abuse Jackie Robinson." "This work examines how Philadelphia acquired a reputation as a rough place for black ballplayers. It follows the slow and difficult progress of integration of the Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Athletics. Attempts to integrate baseball began as early as the 1860s in the city, all of them futile until 1953."

"The book provides biographical and statistical information on some of the African American players who were confronted with discrimination, and also looks at the white players, managers, coaches, and front office personnel who had a hard time accepting black players on their teams."--Jacket.