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Bob Motley

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Byron Motley

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Ruling Over Monarchs, Giants, and Stars: True Tales of Breaking Barriers, Umpiring Baseball Legends, and Wild Adventures in the Negro Leagues Hardcover – March 8, 2012

by Bob Motley (Author), Byron Motley (Author), Larry Lester (Author),

4.6 42 ratings

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The Kansas City Monarchs, the Chicago American Giants, the St. Louis Stars, the Birmingham Black Barons, the Homestead Grays, and the Indianapolis Clowns; for over fifty years, they were the Yankees, Cardinals, and Red Sox of black baseball in America. And for over a decade beginning in the late 1940s, umpire Bob Motley called balls and strikes for many of their games, working alongside such legends as Satchel Paige, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, and Willie Mays.

Today, Motley is the only living arbiter from the Negro Leagues. His personal account of the Negro Leagues is a revealing, humorous, and unforgettable memoir celebrating a long-lost league and a remarkable group of baseball players. In Ruling Over Monarchs, Giants, and Stars Motley and his son Byron share the characters, adventures, and challenges faced by these amazing men as they enthusiastically embraced America’s pastime and made it their own. Filled with stories of talented heroes, small miracles, and downright fun, this unique memoir is a must-read for any baseball fan.

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Print length

240 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Sports Publishing
Publication date

March 8, 2012
Dimensions

6 x 6.4 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

1613210590
ISBN-13

978-1613210598
See all details

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bob Motley is the only living umpire from the Negro Baseball Leagues. While a combat Marine in World War II, Motley found his life’s passion, umpiring. In addition to his time in the Negro Leagues, he umpired in the Pacific Coast League and the College World Series, and also officiated semi-pro and college basketball and football games. Motley currently serves on the board of directors for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and is a Royal Lancer with the Kansas City Royals. He lives in Kansas City, MO.

Byron Motley is a singer, songwriter, filmmaker, lecturer, and photographer. He was inspired to co-author Ruling Over Monarchs, Giants, and Stars after growing up listening to his father, Bob Motley, recount his adventures umpiring in the Negro Leagues. When he’s not busy performing with such luminaries as Patti LuPone, Barbara Streisand, and Natalie Cole, Motley can be found recording his own music and perfecting his photography. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sports Publishing; 1st edition (March 8, 2012)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1613210590
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1613210598
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.37 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 6.4 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,477,799 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #154 in Teen & Young Adult Baseball & Softball
- #756 in Sports Essays (Books)
- #1,193 in Sports Encyclopedias

Customer Reviews:
4.6 42 ratings

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Byron Motley

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Byron Motley is a modern day Renaissance man. He is an accomplished singer/

songwriter/filmmaker/lecturer/author and photographer.

As a performer Byron has worked on Broadway and performed and recorded with

such luminaries as Natalie Cole, Dionne Warwick, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand,

Barry Manilow, Kelly Clarkson, John Legend and the Boston Pops Orchestra.

With diverse interests and talents, Byron is currently producing a television

documentary about the Negro Baseball League. In a separate film project,

acclaimed Producer/Director Penny Marshall is attached to produce and a direct a

screenplay Byron co-wrote entitled EFFA, a biopic about Negro Baseball League

team owner Effa Manley.

In addition to being the co-author of his father’s memoir "Ruling Over Monarchs,

Giants & Stars..." (SkyHorse/Sports Publishing, 2012), Byron’s photographic works

have shown in galleries and museums in the United States, Europe and his adopted

home of Cuba.

The University Press of Florida will release a coffee-table book of

Byron’s photo’s from Cuba entitled "Embracing Cuba" in the Fall of 2015.

His latest CD “Jazz & Cocktails” is also currently available.

See more on the author's page
Bob Motley

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5

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Memories From Behind The Plate

Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2007

Verified Purchase

With a triple-play of anecdotes, humor and history, former Negro Leagues Baseball umpire Bob Motley and co-author/son Byron Motley present a unique perspective of the game from behind the plate and calling balls & strikes.

Motley, the last living umpire from NLB, worked games for more than ten years, starting in the mid-1940s. He had a flamboyant style which is captured in the photographs.

There are sections on established stars like the legendary Satchel Paige, young players who ultimately reached iconic status in Major League Baseball like Ernie Banks, Willie Mays and Henry Aaron, and trail-blazing females Connie Morgan, Toni Stone and Peanut Johnson.

"Nothing compares to the sound of an oncoming Satchel (Paige) fastball," recalls Bob Motley.

There are diamond gems like NLB players were the first to wear batting helmets. Willie Wells wore an old coal miner's hat to the plate because he was tired of getting hit in the head with errant - or aimed - pitches.

As enjoyable as Ron Luciano's The Umpire Strikes Back, the Motleys show that one of the game's most famous arbiters also oversaw a wealth of great memories that makes for a great read.

4 people found this helpful

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Eric Muncert

Seller is 5 Stars ***** Book is just what I wanted!!

Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2024

Verified Purchase

Seller is 5 Stars ***** Book is just what I wanted!!

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Amazon Customer

An interesting account of Motley's life with particular emphasis on ...

Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2016

Verified Purchase

An interesting account of Motley's life with particular emphasis on his years as an umpire in the Negro League. It was quite readable and difficult to put down.

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Kindle Customer

Incredible story of the men in blue

Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2021

Verified Purchase

Studying the Negro Leagues as I have for the past two years, it was refreshing to hear from an umpires point of view. Extremely well written, and informative. It is sad what people of color were subjected to for way to long. Really enjoyed this story. Highly recommended, as is a visit to the Negro League Museum in Kansas City.

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Beth

Great book!

Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2022

Verified Purchase

Used this book for a presentation in my college class about Bob Motley and his role in the Negroe Leagues. Well written and easy read.

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G Dean

A great, fast paced, inspiring read!

Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2019

Verified Purchase

This book is a must read for any baseball fan. Bob Motley was an incredible person and to persevere the way he did, to become an umpire, is inspiring.

I bought this book after it was recommended to me by the President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

Whether you love baseball, baseball history or the magical time of the Negro Leagues, you will enjoy this book!

Helpful

helen McCreary

A 90 year old umpire's experiences of breaking discriminations in baseball and life.

Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2015

Verified Purchase

Interesting history, great anecotes, and just good reading. Pictures are also great. His challenging experiences of aspiring to be an umpire in the black baseball league showed the ingenuity, strength, and humor he has lived through his baseball career. We called & were able to get Mr. Motley's autograph A real treat for my sons and husband who are avid baseball fans.

One person found this helpful

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PAM CHURCH

I read with enthusiasm and was amazed on how much realism

Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2017

Verified Purchase

I read with enthusiasm and was amazed on how much realism, personality, and history Mr. Motley shared with his readers. I would recommend this book to fans of triumphant stories. The book is family friendly, full of rich historical names and personal events.

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