SABR Digital Library: When the Monarchs Reigned: Kansas City’s 1942 Negro League Champions
When the Monarchs Reigned: Kansas City’s 1942 Negro League Champions
Edited by Frederick C. Bush and Bill Nowlin
Associate editors: Carl Riechers and Len Levin
Publication Date: August 2, 2021
ISBN (ebook): 978-1-9701-5952-3, $9.99
ISBN (paperback): 978-1-9701-5953-0, $29.95
8.5″ x 11″, 268 pages
The Kansas City Monarchs are arguably the best-known of all Negro League teams, thanks in part to the inimitable Satchel Paige’s association with the team and longtime Monarch Buck O’Neil’s role as an ambassador of Black baseball history.
The Monarchs won the first-ever Negro League World Series against the Hilldale club in 1924. Black World Series play went on a 15-year hiatus after 1927, but when it returned, so did the Monarchs. That time, 1942, the team faced the perennial Negro National League champions, the Homestead Grays. In the clash between the two powerhouse squads, the Kansas Citians made mincemeat of the mighty Grays and turned 1942 into the year When the Monarchs Reigned.
This SABR Digital Library book — the result of a collaborative effort by 32 SABR members — features biographies of Hall of Famers Satchel Paige, Hilton Smith, and Willard Brown; stalwarts such as Newt Allen and Buck O’Neil; and many other players. Also included are biographies of principal owner and Hall of Famer J.L. Wilkinson and other front-office personnel, Ruppert Stadium (which was renamed several times over the course of its existence), and groundbreaking Kansas City Call reporter Willa Bea Harmon. Feature articles focus on topics such as the Call’s coverage of the Monarchs, Wilkinson’s role in helping to resuscitate Paige’s career, and the fate of the Monarchs during the World War II years. In addition to an extensive season timeline, game articles highlight a contest against Dizzy Dean’s All-Stars, Satchel Paige Day at Wrigley Field, the two East-West All-Star Games, and the grand finale to the season — the World Series triumph over the Homestead Grays.
SABR members, get this e-book for FREE!
- E-book: Click here to download the e-book version of When the Monarchs Reigned for FREE from the SABR Store. Available in PDF, MOBI, and EPUB/Kindle formats.
- Paperback: Get a 50% discount on the When the Monarchs Reigned paperback edition from the SABR Store ($17.95 includes shipping/tax; delivery via Kindle Direct Publishing can take up to 4-6 weeks.)
Buy the book
- E-book: Click here to download the e-book version of When the Monarchs Reigned for $9.99 from the SABR Store. Available in PDF, MOBI, and EPUB/Kindle formats.
- Paperback: Get the paperback edition of When the Monarchs Reigned from the SABR Store ($34.95 includes shipping/tax; delivery via Kindle Direct Publishing can take up to 4-6 weeks.)
Biographies
Game Stories
Essays
Contributors include: Richard Bogovich, Dr. Milbert O. Brown Jr., Frederick C. Bush, Alan Cohen, Rory Costello, Charles F. Faber, Steven Greenes, Margaret M. “Peggy” Gripshover, Tim Hagerty, Donna L. Halper, Leslie Heaphy, Chris Hicks, Jay Hurd, Kirk C. Jenkins, William H. Johnson, Thomas E. Kern, Bill Lamberty, Bob LeMoine, Larry Lester, Len Levin, Bill Nowlin, Tony S. Oliver, Richard J. Puerzer, Carl Riechers, Glen Sparks, Mark S. Sternman, Jeb Stewart, Tim Tassler, Larry Tye, Bob Webster, Dave Wilkie, and William A. Young.