Meet the Real Joe Black: An Inspiring Life - Baseball Teaching Business Giving

Joe Black was a baseball pioneer the first black pitcher ever to win a World Series game. He then became the only Major Leaguer to become a full-time public school teacher after his baseball career ended. The Black family lived in a very modest house right next to the authors fathers auto body shop near the railroad tracks in the poorest part of Plainfield New Jersey and they knew his late father Nathan. The author first met Mr. Black when he came to Hubbard Junior High School as a teacher and baseball coach and their forty-five year friendship continued until his death in 2002. As his teacher coach and mentor until the end of his life Mr. Black became a trusted friend. He greatly influenced the authors life his law practice and his family. Selzer was given the honor of being the opening speaker at Joe Blacks Memorial Celebration on June 1 2002. Many of Joes friends acquaintances and former colleagues contributed stories for this book; among them are Bill Cosby Sandy Koufax Bob Costas Joe Garagiola and many others.