The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) will host Baseball Booknotes: South of the Color Barrier with John Virtue, presented by the Pasquel Family, on Saturday, November 10, 2007 at 11:00 am on the Field of Legends exhibit.  Virtue has researched the special connections between the Negro Leagues and the Mexican Baseball Leagues in the 1930s-40s.  The book also tells the story of how Mexican multimillionaire businessman Jorge Pasquel and the Mexican League hastened the integration of Major League Baseball. During the decade that preceded Jackie Robinson’s breaking of the color barrier, almost 150 players from the Negro Leagues played in Mexico, most of them recruited by Pasquel.

The author will discuss his new book (McFarland Publishing, 2007) and will be joined in the discussion by some very special guests. 

Also scheduled to attend are:

Jorge Pasquel, Jr., son  Pasquel, Sr.--the entrepreneur responsible for bringing players such as Ray Dandridge to play in Mexico.

James Riley --noted Negro Leagues historian and author (The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues).

Monte Irvin--National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, former Newark Eagles and New York Giants outfielder, and author (The Few & the Chosen: Defining Negro Leagues Greatness). For additional information on Irvin, link to: http://www.coe.ksu.edu/nlbemuseum/history/players/irvin.html

Event is free with paid admission to the NLBM.  Books will be available for sale in the Extra Inning Museum Store.  Author and special guest will be available to sign books after the presentation.  For additional information please contact the NLBM at 816-221-1920.