kyle mcnary

"Double Duty" Radcliffe is the biography of one of the most unique baseball stars in history. Nicknamed "Double Duty" because he was an all-star pitcher and catcher, Radcliffe played from 1919-1954 in the Negro Leagues with teams such as the Chicago American Giants, Homestead Grays, Kansas City Monarchs, Birmingham Black Barons, New York Black Yankees and Memphis Red Sox. In this book, called "amazing" by Sports Illustrated, Radcliffe's own words are intertwined with background information and interviews with more than 30 ex-teammates. Radcliffe won more than 300 games on the mound, belted more than 300 homers, pitched and caught multiple no-hitters, was named league MVP at age 41, threw a complete game shutout past age 50, and played with and against every black and white player you can think of, including Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Jackie Robinson, Honus Wagner, Jimmie Foxx and Bob Feller! The braggadocious Radcliffe was known almost as much for his talking as for his playing, but, his opponents said, "he could back his words up." Radcliffe was a wonderful baseball player, but may have made more contributions to the game after retirement as he lived to age 103 and helped educated the public on the Negro Leagues and its players.