The Prospects

Al Duncan has been a legendary Negro League pitcher for twenty-five years.

It’s 1946, World War II has ended and Jackie Robinson is about to cross the color line.

Al can finally prove he’s not just been the best Black pitcher but the best American pitcher of any color. But Al is past his prime and finds the opportunity insulting. Why bother?

Tom Anderson, a young white ballplayer, comes back from the battlefields of Germany and asks for Al’s help to make it to the majors.

The Prospects is a story about baseball, Al and Tom’s lives and loves, and a reluctant friendship in Jim Crow America.


“The Prospects is a powerful story about the unlikely relationship of two men from opposite sides of the racial divide in post-World War II America. Jedding weaves a tapestry of emotional and historical richness that does not shy away from personal and social conflict. Whether you are into baseball, race relations, or just interested in a fascinating life drama, this story will touch you deeply and make you think.” Kelvin Chin, author of Marcus Aurelius Updated: 21st Century Meditations on Living Life.