Satchel Paige
1 Hardcover/1 CD

Starred Review"Graham's casual naturalness is a good match with this delightful story of Leroy "Satchel" Paige, from his days at the Mount Meigs Industrial School for Negro Children to his long-standing career as a standout pitcher in the Negro Leagues. In 1971, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, the first Negro League player to be honored. Graham transforms the text, reflecting genuine feelings, from sympathetic admiration and frank affection to comic whimsy. His reading matches Lesa Cline-Ransome's conversational text and James E. Ransome's beautiful oil paintings, a winning combination that vividly captures Paige's baseball accomplishments and vibrant personality. Well-placed, never overwhelming background sounds (cracking bats, whiffing balls, roaring crowds, pealing church bells) echo the images and descriptions, creating atmosphere and excitement. Ragtime piano riffs lend a honky-tonk air and underscore the era. Graham hits a grand slam with his silky-smooth, evocative reading, perfectly pitched to the narrative and illustrations of the winning picture book, which is included in the price. As he did in 2010 Odyssey Award Honor Audiobook We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball (Brilliance Audio), Graham impeccably reads this heartfelt homage to an unconventional baseball hero, who is also remembered as the first African American to pitch in a major-league World Series game." - Mary Burkey

"This biography chronicles the life of Leroy Paige from his elementary school pitching days to his signature slow ball in the Negro Leagues and for the Cleveland Indians and, finally, his inclusion the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971. Dion Graham narrates at a clip that projects enthusiasm, whether it be for Leroy's early pitching attempts, his satchel-toting services (that nickname "just stuck"), or his pitching and batting duel with his friend Josh Gibson. Graham slows when the tone of Leroy's life becomes serious such as when he went to reform school, learned the difference between throwing and pitching, and bristled at the differences between the two baseball leagues of the 1920s. Vital statistics complete the recording."

"Leroy Paige was born into a poor family in Mobile, Alabama, around 1906. He earned the nickname "Satchel," while working at Mobile's train depot, carrying satchels for travelers. In his family of 12 children, money was always tight. A talented pitcher, he never considered baseball as a career until he landed in reform school for stealing. A coach suggested he focus on baseball; after that, there was no stopping him. His blend of talent and showmanship propelled him from semi-pro ball to stardom in the Negro Leagues to pitch in the newly integrated Major Leagues, earning a spot in Cooperstown's Baseball Hall of Fame. Baseball's greatest anecdotes usually have an air of tall-tale about them, and Satchel's winning ways and personality make for a biography that is as entertaining as fiction. Imagine facing his famous "bee ball," which would always "be" where he wanted it to be. Lesa Cline-Ransome writes in a folksy manner, and Dion Graham's relaxed Southern voice is a perfect complement, enhanced with sound effects and music. Though long on text, the book's large size and Graham's narration combine to offer children a chance to pore over visual details. Playing in the Negro Leagues was not always a bed of roses, but James Ransome's oil paintings highlight Paige's joi de vivre and joi de baseball. Page-turn signals are optional."