Negro League panelist dies

[jalbright]

Robert Peterson, author of Only the Ball Was White and a member of the 12 person committee to select new Negro League inductees next weekend has died. I haven't seen how they intend to deal with this--go with requiring 9 or 11 votes, drop the standard to 8 of 11, add a new panel member, which might mean a delay could be appropriate at this late date in order to bring the new member up to speed.

Jim Albright

[Brian McKenna]

a pioneer in negro league research - in 1970 the book was the first work on the subject in over 60 years

[Mattingly]

May his soul forever rest peacefully.

Robert Peterson, historian of Negro Leagues Baseball, dies at 80

WASHINGTON -- Robert W. Peterson, author of a pioneering study of baseball history that ushered in an era of belated recognition for the stars of the old Negro leagues, died of lung cancer Feb. 11 at his home in Lower Macungie Township, Pa. He was 80.

In 1970, Peterson published "Only the Ball Was White," the first significant effort to chronicle the glory and bitterness of African American professional baseball in the first half of the 20th century. Greeted with near-universal praise, it was named by Sports Illustrated as one of the century's 100 best sports books.

Prompted by Peterson's touching but measured account, the National Baseball Hall of Fame began to honor Negro leagues players in 1971, with the induction of legendary pitcher Satchel Paige. Since then, 17 other Negro leagues standouts have received Hall of Fame plaques.

[KCGHOST]

What a shame. R.I.P.