Caged Champions

Colorful Firsts in U.S. Sports, 1855 - 2023

Who are the game changers in sports? Who are the warriors who laid the pathways for social, cultural and political advancement? Liberate these caged, unheralded and underappreciated icons in sports history. Unshackle their glory! Discover their uncomfortable truths! “Caged Champions” is a snap-shot reference guide for serious fans.
The first 11 chapters cover major sports along with cross references by individual pioneers. Chapter 12 is a catch-all for minor sports and lesser known caged champions other than No. 42, who, along with Larry Doby, et al, dismantled apartheid in America’s most popular sports institution at the time, baseball.
Chapter 13 is an add-on tax. A “Black Tax” that weighs the hardships of every athlete of color. Colored athletes that are criminalized, marginalized or chastened for just walking or driving to their field of dream as they are quarantined from the collective mainstream. This chapter testifies to the monstrosities of white supremacy, while showcasing the resiliency of minority athletes in fighting systemic racism, micro aggressions and implicit bias, as their dreams grow bigger than their fears.
Sports covered: Baseball, Basketball, Billiards, Bowling, Boxing, Car Racing, Cycling, Football, Golf, Hockey, Horse Racing, Olympics, Rodeo, Swimming, Tennis and Track & Field plus rule changes and systemic roadblocks.