Crime of the Big Leagues: Lester Rodney (2011)
We know a lot about how major league baseball was strictly segregated before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947. But strangely, few of us know much about the decade-long, fierce, organized efforts to bring that about. Lester Rodney, sports editor and writer for New York’s Communist Party newspaper The Daily Worker, made it his crusade beginning in 1936. This riveting 10-minute film, much of it in Lester Rodney’s own words, tells about the man, his passion for baseball, why he fought for equal treatment of “Negro” ball players, and his perspective on the far reaching impact of baseball’s desegregation. Enjoy this eye-opening mini-documentary about Lester Rodney (1911-2009), the unsung hero who helped desegregate Major League Baseball, narrated by baseball legends Vida Blue and Marty Lurie.
Cast
- Lester Rodney - Self
- Vida Blue - Narrator / Voice of Satchel Paige
- Marty Lurie - Voice of Lester Rodney
- Leroy 'Satchel' Paige - Self
Screenplay
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Crime of the Big Leagues: Lester Rodney about?
- We know a lot about how major league baseball was strictly segregated before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947. But strangely, few of us know much about the decade-long, fierce, organized efforts to bring that about. Lester Rodney, sports editor and writer for New York’s Communist Party newspaper The Daily Worker, made it his crusade beginning in 1936. This riveting 10-minute film, much of it in Lester Rodney’s own words, tells about the man, his passion for baseball, why he fought for equal treatment of “Negro” ball players, and his perspective on the far reaching impact of baseball’s desegregation. Enjoy this eye-opening mini-documentary about Lester Rodney (1911-2009), the unsung hero who helped desegregate Major League Baseball, narrated by baseball legends Vida Blue and Marty Lurie.
- Who directed Crime of the Big Leagues: Lester Rodney?
- Crime of the Big Leagues: Lester Rodney was directed by Randy Field.
- Who stars in Crime of the Big Leagues: Lester Rodney?
- Crime of the Big Leagues: Lester Rodney stars Lester Rodney, Vida Blue, Marty Lurie, Leroy 'Satchel' Paige.
- How long is Crime of the Big Leagues: Lester Rodney?
- Crime of the Big Leagues: Lester Rodney has a runtime of 11m (11 minutes).
- What genre is Crime of the Big Leagues: Lester Rodney?
- Crime of the Big Leagues: Lester Rodney is a Documentary film.
- Where was Crime of the Big Leagues: Lester Rodney produced?
- Crime of the Big Leagues: Lester Rodney was produced in United States of America.