Leroy Satchel Paige was forty-two years old when he became the first African American pitcher in the American League in 1948. Although he was the oldest rookie around, he had already become a legend. For twenty-two years, beginning in 1926, Paige dazzled fans with his performance in the Negro Major Leagues. He outlasted everyone by playing professional baseball, both in and out of the majors, until 1965. Struggle-against early poverty and racial discrimination-is an integral part of Paige's story, as are his fast living and humorous point of view. His immortal advice-one of the most famous quotes in baseball-was, Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you.

Maybe I'll Pitch Forever is Paige's autobiography, as told to David Lipman.