"The California Winter League was the first to bring together Negro league teams and white professional teams in one league. Operating from October through February from the early part of the century until the late 1940s, it generally consisted of one or more Negro league teams, which included Hall-of-Famers Satchel Paige, Turkey Stearnes, Willie Wells, and Cool Papa Bell on their rosters, and three or more white teams made up of major league players who lived in California as well as minor leaguers from the top-rated Pacific Coast League." "This first complete history provides an overview of the league's early years, detailed summaries for the official seasons of 1920 through 1947 and accounts of the exciting pennant races between the Negro league teams and the white professional teams. Appendices provide extensive statistical information."--Jacket.