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These articles were published in Bittersweet Goodbye: The Black Barons, the Grays, and the 1948 Negro League World Series (2017), edited by Frederick C. Bush and Bill Nowlin. Click here to download the e-book or purchase the paperback edition.

1948 Negro League East-West All-Star Game program (Courtesy of the Center for Negro League Baseball Research)

August 22-24, 1948: The Negro Leagues East-West All-Star Games

A teenage Willie Mays with the Birmingham Black Barons. Mays’ father did not allow him to join the Black Barons full-time in 1948 until school was over at the end of May. (Courtesy of Memphis Public Library)

September 11, 1948: Willie Mays singles home the Game 1 winner for Black Barons in extra innings

A teenage Willie Mays with the Birmingham Black Barons. Mays’ father did not allow him to join the Black Barons full-time in 1948 until school was over at the end of May. (Courtesy of Memphis Public Library)

September 12, 1948: Willie Mays’ two-out double in 9th saves the day for Black Barons

Bittersweet Goodbye: 1948 Negro League World Series

September 26-October 5, 1948: Homestead Grays capture final Negro League World Series in five games

September 30, 1948: Willie Mays leads Black Barons to postseason victory

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