Ruling Over Monarchs, Giants & Stars: True Tales of Breaking Barriers, Umpiring Baseball Legends, and Wild Adventures in the Negro Leagues

The Kansas City Monarchs, the Chicago American Giants, the St. Louis Stars, the Birmingham Black Barons, the Homestead Grays, and the Indianapolis Clowns; for over fifty years, they were the Yankees, Cardinals, and Red Sox of black baseball in America. And for over a decade beginning in the late 1940s, umpire Bob Motley called balls and strikes for many of their games, working alongside such legends as Satchel Paige, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, and Willie Mays.

Today, Motley is the only living arbiter from the Negro Leagues. His personal account of the Negro Leagues is a revealing, humorous, and unforgettable memoir celebrating a long-lost league and a remarkable group of baseball players. In Ruling Over Monarchs, Giants, and Stars Motley and his son Byron share the characters, adventures, and challenges faced by these amazing men as they enthusiastically embraced America’s pastime and made it their own. Filled with stories of talented heroes, small miracles, and downright fun, this unique memoir is a must-read for any baseball fan.

Bob Motley is the only living umpire from the Negro Baseball Leagues. While a combat Marine in World War II, Motley found his life’s passion, umpiring. In addition to his time in the Negro Leagues, he umpired in the Pacific Coast League and the College World Series, and also officiated semi-pro and college basketball and football games. Motley currently serves on the board of directors for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and is a Royal Lancer with the Kansas City Royals. He lives in Kansas City, MO.

Byron Motley is a singer, songwriter, filmmaker, lecturer, and photographer. He was inspired to co-author Ruling Over Monarchs, Giants, and Stars after growing up listening to his father, Bob Motley, recount his adventures umpiring in the Negro Leagues. When he’s not busy performing with such luminaries as Patti LuPone, Barbara Streisand, and Natalie Cole, Motley can be found recording his own music and perfecting his photography. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.