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 author's father's 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 author's life, his law practice, and his family. Selzer was given the honor of being the opening speaker at Joe Black's Memorial Celebration on June 1, 2002.
Many of Joe's friends, acquaintances, and former colleagues contributed stories for this book; among them are Bill Cosby, Sandy Koufax, Bob Costas, Joe Garagiola, and many others.

Steven Michael Selzer was a student of Joe Black's when he taught at Hubbard Junior High School after his Major League baseball career ended. A graduate of George Washington University Law School, he practices law in Maryland. He lives in Rockville, Maryland with his wife, Adrianne; they have two grown children.