Bright Star in a Shadow Sky: The Story of Indian Bob Johnson

Within the pages of Bright Star in a Shadowy Sky, is the story of Indian Bob Johnson, one-quarter Cherokee, who had the patience to travel the long and circular route to the promised land of baseball stardom in the first half of the twentieth century.

He learned how to avoid the pitfalls that trapped his older brother Roy. After playing well in various industrial and minor leagues, he was taken under the wing of Connie Mack, owner of the Philadelphia Athletics.

In return, Indian Bob was loyal, staying with the Athletics and the man who had given him a chance, even when the team failed to make the first division time and again and Mr. Mack could no longer pay him what he was worth.

Well-researched and interspersed with commentary from other players, fans, and reporters from this era, Patrick J. and Terrence K. McGrath have compiled an impressive work, complete with numerous photographs, which will be thoroughly enjoyed by any fan of baseball, and they are sure to engender support in demanding an answer to their final question: Despite his strong numbers, why isn’t Indian Bob Johnson in the Baseball Hall of Fame?