Product Description
Highlights the key personalities and memorable games in the history of the team that began major league play in 1876 under the name White Stockings. ... Read more

Product Description
The panorama of baseball is unfolded in this book's sprightly words and lively photos many published for the first time against a background of historical turning points. From primitive stickball games played in village squares during the American Revolution to the refined professional sport of the mid-1980s, baseball has continually mirrored the American scene.

Baseball's triumphant moments are featured here: the high spots of every season from the 1858 contest between the New York Knickerbockers and the Brooklyn Atlantics, to the 1985 world championship campaign of the Kansas City Royals; the constant setting of new records, including Hank Aaron's overtaking of Babe Ruth and Pete Rose's outnumbering of Ty Cobb; and the brilliant leadership of the game's statesmen such as Ban Johnson and Branch Rickey. But baseball's headaches and coping strategies, successful or unsuccessful, get due attention. The game has weathered wars, depressions, and such social changes as immigration, urbanization, unionization, and integration that have called for agonizing but finally effective adjustments. Technological changes like floodlighting and astroturf have required even tougher adjustments by players, and the staggering riches brought by television are a bonanza that players, managers, and owners are still learning to live with.

Unlike some pessimistic observers, Voigt remains convinced that organized baseball will meet its current challenges with its historic fortitude. In this book he offers entertainment and food for thought to both new and seasoned fans. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent for fan and scholar
During the past 30 years, Voigt has established himself as perhaps the most prolific authority on the evolution of baseball.In addition to his seminal three volume history, Voigt has penned nearly a score of other books and articles for scholarly journals.

When published originally in 1987, this book was the best single-volume history of the National Pastime.Baseball: An Illustrated History is a wonderful, if slightly dated, history of the Summer Game.

Voigt, a sociology professor at Albright College, traces the sport from the stick-and-ball games played by Englishmen and American colonists, to the multi-billion dollar commercial enterprise of modern major league baseball.More than 400 black-and-white photographs, many seldom-seen, help illuminate Voigt's text.Some of the singular pictures include a turn-of-the-century photograph from the files of the U.S. Surgeon General's Office displaying a ball player's disfigured hands, and one of lighting engineers placing "measuring targets" in the Polo Grounds to prepare for the installation of 836 lights and night baseball.In sum, the book is balanced and concise, yet still comprehensive in its treatment of the significance of the game in American society.

The major disappointment with the book is that there is nothing new.This paperback volume was published 7 years after the original edition, and it suffers for not being made current.At the conclusion of the book Voigt identifies player drug-abuse as the most visible issue facing the game; today, few fans would agree with that assessment.Consider all that has transpired since Mookie Wilson's nubber went through Bill Buckner's wickets: the dismissal of Commissioner Fay Vincent, the rebirth of minor league baseball, Pete Rose, the construction of classic-revival ballparks, the 1994-1995 player's strike, Cal Ripkin, and three divisions with expanded playoffs. At best, the lack of new material is frustrating.At worst, not updating the book impinges the credibility of its conclusions.In the book's first sentence Voigt proclaims "America's passion for baseball has endured [for 140 years], and there are no signs of diminishing ardor."In the wake of the game's recent troubles, ominous doubt's about major league baseball's future persist.

Make no mistake, however; this remains a wonderful book.Baseball: An Illustrated History remains an invaluable starting place for baseball history novices, and is equally satisfying for experienced scholars. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (11)

Couldn't put it down! Sequel, please, Mr. McGee...
"An excellent book which provides a most entertaining recap of the 2008 June College World Series held in Omaha, Nebraska. Author, Ryan McGee, addresses not only detailed narratives of the actual games, but also provides amusing tales related to the colorful characters on the participating teams. McGee includes descriptive anecdotes related to the whole "phenomena" that are integral elements of the annual pilgrimage to Rosenblatt Stadium made by the enthusiastic players, along with the fans who travel from all over the country to attend this exciting event. Mr. McGee makes one feel as if they are actually in Omaha, participating in the festivities with the residents of "The Neighborhood", as he focuses on the rich history, and amusing traditions of this amazing event. I couldn't put it down and am hoping for a sequel focusing on the series that was held at Rosenblatt in June 2010!"

Great overview of CWS
"The Road to Omaha" provides a wonderful overview of, and insight into, the baseball College World Series: the players and coaches, the City of Omaha, and the unique ambience of the CWS, which, regrettably, will be moved from the 'Blatt to a new venue in 2011.It was especially interesting for me, as the 2008 CWS, which is the primary subject of the book, is the only Series I have missed in the last six. After 30 years of unfulfilled desire to attend the CWS, I attended my first in 2004.I won't miss another by choice.Reserved seats are extremely hard to obtain ---unless you are willing to pay exhorbitant mark-ups (and you can always stand in long lines for the bleacher seats) --- but the experience is priceless.Attending an Omaha CWS should be on the "bucket list" of every serious baseball fan, and the book successfully captures the essence and special flavor of Omaha and the dedication of its civic leaders and residents to showcasing and maintaining this exceptional tournament, notwithstanding the overbearing attitude of the NCAA, which has shaken down the City of Omaha at every opportunity with threats to move the CWS elsewhere unless Omaha capitulated to its demands.For baseball fans, and especially college baseball fans, this book is the next best thing to being there, as they say. Highly recommended!

It takes you there
This is a wonderful read that truly captures the flavor of Omaha and the College World Series. The up close narrative of the incredible underdog run of the 2008 Fresno State team is just the icing on the cake in this book. McGee chronicles the history of the CWS in Omaha, as well as the history of the city as well. From the behind-the-scenes heroes who make this unique event tick, to some of the major baseball protagonists who have etched their names in Rosenblatt Stadium history, Road to Omaha covers them all with a style that draws you in and makes you feel like you're living the magic yourself. This book is definitely worth your time!

Thanks for the ride ...
Early in "The Road to Omaha," McGee introduces readers to the long-standing tradition of Omaha civic organizations acting as "hosts" for teams participating in the College World Series -- indivudals who as he puts it, "Once the Series began, anything a team desired -- Gatorade, donuts, dinner reservations, Band-Aids, whatever -- they only had to ask their designated hosts and it would materialize." Reading through this wonderful collection of stories, McGee serves as the readers "host." Once the book began, anything the reader desired -- familiar names, road trip ramblings, superstars, underdogs, local color, whatever -- they only had to ask and it would materialize.

What a fun read for any fan of baseball at any level, but a true treasure for anyone who at least partially defines their life by their exeperiences in and around the sport. My 11-year-old loves baseball of any kind, whether we cheer the local minor league teams, catch a college game or, on the rare occasion, step into a Major League stadium. And while we will never get to experience the wooden-framed ballpark known as Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium, "The Road to Omaha" gives us a wonderful glimpse. Thanks Ryan for the heart you put into this effort.

Tales of the College World Series
I have never been to the College World Series and likely never will. I also normally do not have a true rooting interest in any of the teams. However, I do enjoy watching the games on television and I have always thought that Rosenblatt Stadium must be an extremely interesting place to watch a ballgame. Now Mr. McGee's book makes me feel that I really do know something about the place.

The book gives the reader an excellent feel for the eight teams that participated in 2008. We become familiar with many of the current players, plus we learn about the history of the teams that have a tradition of going to the CWS. The book is not a play-by-play account of the games from 2008, but it does cover the main events during the games. More importantly, it gives the reader some interesting insight into the managerial decisions that were made and a good look at the emotions of the players, win or lose.

The baseball in the book is good. However, I found the background information about Omaha, the World Series, the field, the activities of the citizens living near Rosenblatt, and the good spirits of the fans coming in from out of town to support their teams to be of particular interest. Where else can you learn of a street side game where you toss hot dogs into the road, put money into a hat, and then pass the hat to the other people playing with you so they can put their money in. Whoever is holding the hat when a car runs over one of the hot dogs wins the money. Then you do it all over again. What a great way to pass the time waiting for the start of the next ball game. The back is packed with tidbits of that nature that I found extremely interesting and great fun to read.

If you are a baseball fan and particularly a fan of the College World Series, you need to read The Road to Omaha.
... Read more

Product Description
This new volume is the first book establishing arelationship between Brassey’s, Inc. and the premier researchorganization in all of sports, the Society for American BaseballResearch. This initial release allows you to return to one of the mostcolorful, popular, important, and distinct periods of baseballhistory. With the Society for American Baseball Research to guide you,you’ll learn about the stars, the regulars, and the people behind thescenes—who were all the leading lights of the seniorcircuit. Through them, follow the great game’s opening decades as theoriginal eight National League franchises combated the AmericanLeague, only to strike up a partnership with it and start the WorldSeries in 1903, launching the major leagues as we know themtoday. Lavishly illustrated, featuring photographs and autographs ofevery player or person profiled, Deadball Stars of the National Leaguegives fans a unique window into the game of "inside baseball," atime !when the stolen base and the sacrifice were a manager’s keyweapons, when pitchers finished what they started, and when thebaseball itself was a sodden, misshapen, tobacco-stainedmenace. Edited by Tom Simon and written and assembled by his fellowmembers of SABR’s Deadball Era Committee, the unique resource DeadballStars of the National League reflects a defining era of baseballhistory. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

A Very Good Read - Anytime
This is the kind of book you pick up, read a few stories (biographies) and then put down and kind of let them digest in your mind. Then, another day....and another and so-on....you keep doing the same. I have found I've read several of these bios multiple times but found them so interesting each time I didn't mind if I'd read them before.

The short bios of these Deadball Era players each have a couple of interesting things about the men who played this great game about 100 years ago. Some of the tales are sad, some are funny. To me, itnoteworthy to discover how few truly big men played the game and how the Irish took to this sport.

After reading about all of the bios by now, I have a better picture of Deadball Era baseball and find that time period utterly fascinating.The same, of course, goes for the companion book detailing players from the American League. Both of these books are essential for anyone who loves baseball history.

Early Baseball History
An informative and sometimes personal look at the early stars of baseball in the National League. As so often happens, these pioneers are too frequently forgotten and their accomplishments lost to histoy and memory. Today we tend to measure things and remember things in terms of immediate memory, last week, last year and what was last on ESPN.What have you done for me lately? This volume helps restore some perspective.

NL Deadball Stars
The product was shipped and received as promised. I enjoyed reading the biographies of the these players.

Baseball History in a nutshell
I bought this along with the American League version. I like to pick it up and read about an older player or two each week. Interesting stuff. My friends who like baseball like to browse through it as well.

Excellent Book On The First Two Decades of N.L. Baseball
The Society for American Baseball Research rarely turns out a bad book, and "Deadball Stars of the National League" continues that trend.It is an excellent book, with short biographies of the major stars for each of the franchises active between 1901 and 1919, complete with photos rare and common.The book was an enormous undertaking, with a huge amount of people on the "Deadball" Committee of the organization taking part in the writing, editing and fact checking.It's a wonderful book for those wanting a feel of the game in the first decades of the 20th century, and of the players of that time, and I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Product Description
Remembering Japanese Baseball: An Oral History of the Game transports us onto diamonds and into dugouts on the other side of the globe, where the vigorous sportsmanship of the game and the impassioned devotion of its fans transcend cultural and geographic borders and prove that baseball is fast becoming an international pastime.

Called Yakyu, baseball has been played in Japan since the 1890s but has only recently gained a substantial global following. Robert K. Fitts chronicles the nation’s distinctive version of the sport as recounted by twenty-five of its players. Fitts’s careful choice of subjects represents the experiences of a mix of American and Japanese players—including stars, titleholders, and members of the Japanese Hall of Fame. Informal, candid, and remarkably specific, these recollections describe teammates and opponents, corporate owners and loyal fans, triumphs and frustrations, collectively capturing all the spirit and emotion engendered by the game from decidedly personal vantage points. Throughout, readers glimpse the unique traits ofbaseball in Japan and discern how the game has evolved since its inception as well as how it differs from its American counterpart.

An unparalleled introduction for an American audience, Remembering Japanese Baseball is augmented by photos of its twenty-five interviewees and a timeline demarking milestone moments in the game’s Japanese history. Robert Whiting, author of You Gotta Have Wa! and The Meaning of Ichiro, provides the foreword.

"Through these narratives Fitts grants us unrivaled firsthand knowledge of Japanese baseball from old- and new-timers alike."—Jerry Klinkowitz, author of Owning a Piece of the Minors and Basepaths ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Hideki Matsui MVP No Surprise after Insightful read!
I had the pleasure of reading Robert Fitts book a few years back. To see Hideki Matsui in 2009 show such discipline at the plate and to watch him perform under pressure so well with each plate appearance is to see and appreciate the novel Remembering Japanese Baseball in living color. A must read for all who truly love baseball and for a insight of how japanese players of today are truly inspired by the great japanese and american players from yesteryear.

Skillfully done
I had the pleasure of hearing Rob Fitts give a presentation on his book recently, and it helps answer Brian Maitland's question about the relative lack of Japanese players. Why are there fewer? It's just plain hard to make the connections over such a long distance and then surmount the language barrier.

We should be glad there are as many players represented as there are. The breadth of decades is impressive, and the material is woven together very smoothly from the interviews. This is no easy task, and the individual personalities do shine through to a great extent. There are plenty of historical nuggets and cultural insights too. I most certainly was not disappointed.

Both entertaining and educational.Very well done.
"As a longtime fan of Japanese baseball, I eagerly anticipated the arrival of Rob Fitts's new book and was not disappointed.The accounts of these great and often colorful players are fascinating to read.The fact that the accounts are presented in the player's own words add tremendously to the book's validity and substance. Though any reader will appreciate the breadth and depth of this book, those of us who are particularly interested in the subject are very grateful for this contribution that expands on a chapter of baseball of which too little has been written.Well planned and well executed."

been done better
Not to bemoan a point but where are the Japanese ballplayers' perspective since about the 1960s? I mean, how about some of the more post-'60s players like Furuta, Akiyama, Fukudome, Kuwata, Kiyohara...even Ishige, Nakahata, etc.Even the Japanese MLBers like Nomo, Ichiro et al takes on J-ball would be great to throw in there.

Sure these are all interesting snapshots BUT why the focus so much on the import players from the '60s onwards? It skews the book way too much towards the same-old tired "gaikokujin (foreigner)" viewpoint. Frankly, if you are going to do a book about Japanese baseball and the import quota in their leagues is so low, why not have a better balance between the J-view and the "foreigners' " view?

Very disappointing, if you follow J-ball at all. I'll wait for Volume 2 and hope we get a big more updated version.

EXTREMELY ENTERTAINING, DELIGHTFUL INTERVIEWS!!!
Bought two books, gave one to friend and we enjoyed it so much that we laughed and talked about the contents for Hours. Great book, buy two to share with a friend! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Yearbook of The Natural
If you liked "The Natural," this is the book that will make that era come alive. If you are simply a fan of baseball history, this will show you what a lot of guys looked like that you may have only read about, like Mule Haas or Chief Hogsett. Organized by teams, then chronologically for each team, it gives a feeling for the flow of talent on teams: how the Browns didn't have much, or were unable to hold on to much, and how the Cardinals had more than they needed. It also shows how players moved around a lot, even back then. Al Simmons and Lyn Lary seem to be everywhere. Thanks Mark, for a fun ride that I can take again and again. ... Read more

Product Description
Chronicles the history of the baseball business, from the creation of a multimillion-dollar industry, to the despotic owners and the rise of the union, to the relationship of baseball and television. 75,000 first printing. $75,000 ad/promo. Tour.Amazon.com Review
Wall Street Journal sports reporter (and Barbarians atthe Gate co-author) John Helyar has produced an entertaining andconcise look at the real reasons that Major League Baseball has becomethe big business that it is today--and a definitive glimpse at whereAmerica's erstwhile national pastime is likely to head in the comingyears. With vividly painted portraits of significant players from TyCobb to Bud Selig, it offers both a current picture and an historicalperspective that will prove invaluable to fans of the game as well asto students of business as the lords of the game continue to strugglewith business problems that have forever altered their sport. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

I knew it would notbe new, but ancient?
I knew the book would be old, but it was in worse condition than I expected. In all fairness, I didn't pay much for it.But I've bought other used books through Amazon.com for less than $5.00.This was the worse.I've not yet tried to read it but in leafing through it there are many pages folded to half the page size.I'm going to try and get the book through our local library.

Best Baseball Book I Ever Read
This is the best baseball book I ever read. For a book mostly about "supposed" history, it kept me hooked to the very end. Great for any baseball fan.

Simply Great!
Sports economics fascinates me, and MLB economics is especially fascinating.The most powerful trade union in the world for the past two decades as been the MLPA, and this book explains why.After getting my initial wake up call about the stupidity of baseball's ownership through Bouton's Ball Four lo those many years ago, Lords merely cements my opinion.A more venal, greedy group would be hard to find in any other industry.Big on detail, impecably researched and tightly written, this is a must read for all baseball fans, especially for those of you in a city which is being brow beaten into building a stadium with public funds.

Readable, Informative, Educational
This book does a superb job describing the business of baseball.Author John Helyar gives readers a strong historical perspective, explaining how and why the game got to be the way it is today (well, as of 1994).The author devotes considerable attention to labor issues.We learn about the days of reserve clause "slavery," the success of union chief Marvin Miller at winning gains for the players, and of owner attempts to cheat the players via collusion.Readers see that the game's overseers (team owners) are often driven by greed and desire for power.We also see why disparate, unshared local broadcast revenues give advantages to teams in large markets (New York, Los Angeles, etc.) and make it tough for small market teams like Kansas City and Milwaukee to compete.The author also refutes that repeated owner lament that they are losing money.Yes, a few teams (Montreal Expos) have bad years financially, but if most teams lost money - and they don't - then player paychecks would bounce, the price of franchises would stop rising, and owners would stop holding bidding wars for top free agents.

At this writing, baseball is enjoying both ups and downs.Last season (2005) saw another attendance record (74 million fans), but that means higher ticket prices, and one sees far fewer kids today playing the game in the sandlots.Still, as the late Bill Veeck said, owners haven't been able to ruin baseball despite their best efforts.Readers that like this book might consider similar books by Marvin Miller and announcer Bob Costas.

An excellent read for baseball fans

This is a rare book about the history of baseball owners.That wouldn't seem like a subject that's nearly as interesting as the feats of the players (and it's not), but it's a fascinating story all the same.There's great stories about eccentric owners like Charlie Finley, Walter O'Malley, Ted Turner, and George Steinbrenner.It shows their consistent ineptitude at dealing with issues like arbitration, free agency, revenue issues and fan relations.And yet the game of baseball goes on no matter how they try to screw it up.And why is major league baseball the nation's only legal cartel?Helyar explains it for you. ... Read more

Product Description
Batter up to understand baseball as you never have before with The Visual Dictionary of Baseball.

Here is an entirely new kind of dictionary -- one that is packed with superb, full-color photographs, plus hundreds of terms and historical facts about the sport of baseball. The Visual Dictionary of Baseball gives you instant access to the vocabulary of baseball players, coaches, and fans in a way that is clear, informative, and easy to understand. If you know what a particular piece of baseball equipment or memorabilia looks like but don't know its name, simply look at the labels around the illustrations and photographs. And if you know a term from the sport but don't know exactly what it refers to, the comprehensive Index, Appendix, and Glossary direct you to the illustrations that show you just what you are looking for. Dorling Kindersley Visual Dictionaries are the ultimate finder's guides to what things are called. See, learn, discover, and identify all the parts of all the things in the world around you. From the parts of the baseball diamond to the materials inside the baseball to creating a winning lineup, the intricate workings of baseball are revealed in full-color clarity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Really Nice...! Excellent !
It's a book that every baseball fan must have in your library. It's a MUST ! Nice pictures.

Comprehensive Overview!
My husband loves this book and I actually started to get more interested in baseball. If I had to choose one sport to watch, it would be baseball or tennis. While I would rather be watching a romantic movie, this book was to say the least, entertaining.

When I showed this book to my husband, he was intrigued. I also immediately noticed the "inside of the baseball" picture and never realized how many layers there were. There is also a picture of the "type of hits" which was a bit enlightening for me, being I am a baseball newbie.

So, come and explore baseball in pictures. The equipment, history, teams, techniques, rules and personalities of America's National Pastime are all included. Do you want to know the secrets of the success of Major League players? Discover why baseball has been a important part of American life for more than 150 years? Well the concise text and carefully researched definitions are user-friendly for people of all ages. This is a source for the specialized vocabulary of baseball and I would recommend it to all wives who's husbands are baseball addicts, to young players and to all baseball fans.

I am in love with visual dictionaries at the moment. This one is packed with full-color photographs and hundreds of terms and historical facts. The comprehensive Index, Appendix and Glossary also direct you to the illustrations you are looking for.

In this book you will learn about the origins of the game, the Diamond, the rules, bats and balls, baseball gloves, uniforms, catcher's gear, fielding positions and techniques, batting, pitching, baserunning, managers and coaches, umpires, ballparks, keeping score, statistics, The American League, The National League, The World Series, The Baseball Hall of Fame, Baseball Cards (very important), youth baseball, softball games and baseball around the world.

Author James Buckley, Jr., is a veteran sportswriter. He has worked for Sports Illustrated and other national magazines for both adults and children. As a former youth baseball coach, he has also written many articles on baseball and other sports. He brings a wealth of knowledge to this book and is also the author of Super Shortstops, Strikeout Kings and Home Run Heroes.

My husband enjoyed adding this to his baseball book collection. He also collects baseball cards and I am starting to realize why they are so important to him.

~The Rebecca Review

Beauty!
The quality and beauty of this book are first-rate.As a long-time baseball fan myself, it is a pleasure to peruse this book's wealth of photographs and trivia that give baseball its unique richness.Even better, this book appears to be a useful tool in developing an appreciation of the game by my wife and children, who are actually fighting over who gets to read the book each night!Now we're ready for the season to begin! Play ball! Go Dodgers!

A picture is worth....
I was with my kids at a friends house recently and came across a copy of this book.My kids and I spent an hour with it and they couldn't put it down.Being an avid baseball fan myself, I was intrigued with this new perspective of the game.My kids loved the pictures...it's bluntly true that a picture is worth a 1000 words (which happens to be the maximum length of this review!).They wanted to go out and play baseball right away.We liked it so much that we're buying a copy for our own house! ... Read more

Product Description
Focusing on the years 1903 to 1930, Dr. Seymour discusses the emergence of the two major leagues and the World Series, the bitter trade struggles and pennant rivalries, and such legendary figures as Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Much more readable and "in the trenches" than Volume One
After spending a volume dwelling on all the events that took place to at last produce the American and National Leagues as we know them today, Seymour uses the second volume to at focus on the players, profiling the great ones (Cobb, Walter Johnson, etc.) as well as giving interesting factoids about pennant races, teams, managers and players.I'm about half way through and it's been a much faster read than Volume One.

Keep in mind, though, that while these are rightfully acclaimed histories of The Game, if you are looking for detailed recollections on a particular pennant race, team, etc., you will need to look elsewhere.This volume covers 1903-1930 in 492 pages.In addition, if you're hoping to use footnotes or endnotes to do deeper research or just to check the source material, you're out of luck.There are none.

Like An Old Friend.
I had first read this book during the early 70's when I was Still in my teens,because nostilgia has a way of destorting things this book was not quite as great as I remembered it to be. Nevertheless it is still great a book, for those of us who understand that in History while Wars,Summit Meetings and the like have (and should ) thier place, so should the more ordinary aspects, of our cultural life. The portions of this book that deal with Ty Cobb's insanity and racism Hal Chase's corruption, "Judge Landis's" overated qualties, and the fact that the 1919 World Series scandal was merely a means to an end, rather than the actual cause of the overthrow of The National Commission, for me anyway make for great reading, I would urge anyone intrested in American culture, or just loves baseball/nostilgia to purchase this book here. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Shameful Allegations of Bigotry
Shameful Allegations of Bigotry

Glenn Stout's book is chock-full of unsubstantiated allegations of bigotry against key Dodger personnel.While dealing justly with the prohibition of blacks from the majors and the regrettable Campanis episode, he goes too far in accusing others of racism and anti-Semitism in the following instances:

1. Mr. O'Malley supposedly bought the Dodgers, in part, to prevent a Jew from owning a major league team.This is stated without any supporting evidence.It is particularly outlandish, because Mr. O'Malley later moved the team and his entire family across the country, built a stadium from scratch and ran the team for decades.It is not likely he would have done all this just so he could (in part) prevent a Jew from owning the team.
2. Alston supposedly wouldn't pitch Koufax early in his career because Koufax was Jewish.Again, this is stated with no evidence to back it up.The only evidence available actually contradicts this supposition, as a few years later, Alston practically worked Koufax to death over the course of several seasons.
3. While attacking white racism again blacks (sometimes justly) he repeatedly uses the phrase "lily-white" to describe certain teams.Would he ever describe a basketball team, for example, as being "jet black?"Why couldn't he write that these teams were "all-white?"No insults there.Just a factual description.
4. He accused the commissioner of being racist for declaring that Maury Wills (who was black) should have an asterisk after his record for most stolen bases in a season, because he had more games in which to get those steals, than did the old record holder Ty Cobb (who was white).Again, there is no supporting evidence.And in fact, a year or two earlier, the commissioner made the exact same ruling about the homerun record regarding Maris and Ruth, who were both white.
5. Stout also claims, again without any evidence, that the Dodgers kept switching Pedro Guerrero's field position, because they didn't know how to play an Hispanic player.

Stout also made a factual error about the famous comment by Guerrero that he hoped the other team wouldn't hit the ball to him or Steve Sax, because of their poor fielding.One of the great Dodger stories, yet Guerrero made that comment to Lasorda during a team meeting, not to a sportswriter, like Stout writes.

He also often portrays Mr. O'Malley, Alston and Lasorda as being doofuses.This is strange considering all these men accomplished.For starters, take all of the pennants and world championships they won.

But there is much good here, too.All of the above amounts to about five pages out of about 400.The rest of the book is superbly written.All eras of team history are covered, as are all of the key personnel, from the front office all the way down to us fans.Stout's writing style is entertaining:very engaging with many clever turns of phrase.If you are a true Dodger, and if you can stomach the stuff mentioned above, you will love this book.I wish I could give it 5 stars, but I will go with three.

Dodger History Primer
Clearly 120 years of baseball seasons gives you a lot to write about.Like most LA Dodgers fans my understanding of Dodger history comes almost entirely from listening to Vin Scully announcing games.This book helps fill in the gaps.

The book is an easy read and covers all of the main events and people in Dodger history.This book is for people who want to know the Dodger history basics (and there are a lot of basics to read about).The author really hasn't uncovered anything new to write about, but he does tell a good story.

The aspects that I most enjoyed in this book are the sections covering the early Dodgers (their uniform was originally green?, Babe Ruth was a Dodgers coach for a year?), the 50s, and the Koufax/Drysdale era.The pictures chosen are good, and the essay inserts from writers who covered the Dodgers are interesting.

On the other hand, I felt some years were completely skipped over.Not much may have happened in those years, but only a couple paragraphs?The tables of stats are interesting but would have preferred them in their own section.A bibliography would have been nice.Also, there is a section at the back listing what I guess is the author's All-Time Dodgers Teams, but there are several on the list that I didn't recognize from reading the text (Tom Daly, Al Lopez?)

Overall, if you are looking for that Dodger history primer, this fits the bill.It easily could have been longer, but would not have been as good of a read. ... Read more

Product Description
The book, Let There Be Light: A History of Night Baseball 1880 - 2008 will show the evolutionary process that took 50 years ( 1880 to 1930 ) before minor league baseball adopted the idea of playing baseball at night. After breaking into the minors, it only took five years before the Majors, grudgingly accepted the idea proposed by Leland "Larry" MacPhail and Powel Crosley to light up Crosley Field in Cincinnati, Ohio. The book will have 70 photographs, 17 documents, diagrams, charts, and letters and over 90 pages of history, stories, and events. The end result is a history of modern day lighted baseball fields which provide healthy entertainment to millions of people every year. This is not a book of statistics, but is one which reveals how civilization and culture develops through hard work and visionary leaders. The first World Series night game was played in 1971. But, by 1985 every World Series game is played at night. Night baseball is an event and is just as exciting as a day game, but much cooler, unless you have an air conditioned stadium. 75 years ago in May 1935 the Cincinnati Reds started a new era in baseball. Now working men and women could see a professional baseball game Monday to Friday after the day shift. By 1948 thirteen ballfields were illuminated, leaving Wrigley Field as the one ballpark where only day games were played.  Lights arrived in Wrigley in 1988.   Let's go see a baseball game tonight after work. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

wonderful book
This was a gift for my son, and he has readthe book three times!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let There Be Light - History of Night Baseball - Robert Payne
This was a very enjoyable read!! The pictures and illustrations helped me to realize just what went into something we take for granted in this era; watching games at night.This book was very well written and would make a great gift for any baseball enthusiast!!It is apparent that a great deal of research was done for this book and would be enjoyed by people of all ages; it is a very easy read. ... Read more

Product Description
On September 27, 1865, gambler Kane McLoughlin paid William Wansley $100 to ensure that the Brooklyn Eckfords would beat the Mutuals of New York. Wansley bribed Mutuals shortstop Tom Devyr and third baseman Ed Duffy to join the plot. The result was a 23-11 win by the Eckfords in a game marked by "passed balls and...muffed easy flys." Baseball was faced with its first gambling scandal.

This is a comprehensive account of gambling and game fixing scandals that have gripped the nation. Attention is rightly focused on the best known incidents (e.g., the Black Sox scandal and the Pete Rose case), but the lesser known scandals are covered in-depth as well. Included are two chapters on game fixing scandals in the minor leagues. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Why Pete Rose is not in the Hall of Fame
To understand fully why Pete Rose is not in the Hall of Fame, one should read this book and understand how Gambling nearly destroyed the national past time.This is not a book you can scan you must read this to fully to understand the gambling evil and how the owners and powers of baseball at the turn of the 20th Century ignored the problem which later gave us the 1919 Black Sox Scandal. Mr Ginsburg does a great job in researching all the scandals.This book should be a must read for all who express the injustice to Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson. ... Read more

Product Description
The most striking, compelling and comprehensive single volume ever devoted to America's pastime. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A baseball fan's dream
This is a wonderful book for baseball fans who like detail, context, and statistics.

One of the greatest features of this volume is the year-by-year starting lineups for all major league teams since their origin.What about Altoona's starting lineup in 1884?Baltimore's lineup in 1893?John McGraw at 3rd base.Chicago Cubs in1876?Cal McVey at 1st base; Cap Anson at 3rd base; Al Spalding as pitcher.Chicago White Sox in1987?Greg Walker at 1st base; Carlton Fisk at catcher; Harold Baines at DH.What a resource!This may be my favorite part of the book.

Of course, the statistics for every player who has ever stepped onto the diamond during a game is presented.Bill Leinhauser played one game during Ty Cobb's suspension in 1912; his statistics are here.So, too, Eddie Gaedel's stats from his one game as a pinch hitter for Bill Veeck in 1951.

This massive (over 2500 extremely thin pages long) book contains data on the game's history (including team histories), the players (including such gems as members of families who played, such as the Alous, the Boones, the DiMaggios, the Mathewsons, et al.), great streaks (such as hitting and pitching streaks), All-Star Game data, postseason records, a roster of coaches and managers from Day One of major leaguer baseball, a listing of all umpires, an enumeration of owners (e.g., the eccentric Chis Von der Ahe of the St. Louis Cardinals from the 1890s) and executives , even a listing of baseball announcers, great quotations (e.g., Frank Robinson on his role as manager saying that: "I had no trouble communicating.The players just didn't like what I had to say"; or Willie Stargell speaking of Steve Carlton: "Sometimes I hit him like I used to hit Koufax, and that's like drinking coffee with a fork"), and so on.A treasure trove of data on baseball, from its origins to the present.

If you don't like numbers, don't look at this book.For baseball fans, this is a must acquire volume. . . .You can spend hours with fellow fans just rifling through the pages and sharing trivia and minutiae that are fodder for Hot Stove League discussion.

Where did dome of the data go?
Love this book. I read it most every day. Here are some things in past editions I would like to see come back:

1. Playoff stats under the player's regular season stats verses a seperate section in the cack.
2. Pinch hit at-bats and hits return
3. Blown saves added back to the pitchers stats
4. Family connections. Used to have at least an "F" for family. Past additions also had "Brother of, Father of etc". Always found that interesting.

Little stuff but that is what makes the book fun. All the little things you can uncover in every read!

Most Complete Stat Resource Available
This is the best statistical resource I have seen.It is comprehensive; you will find just about anything you're looking for in here.All of the traditional statistics plus many of the analytical stats developed by the Society of American Baseball Research to determine more accurate measures of a players actual impact on winning games.It also includes a number of interesting articles on the evolution of the game, which anyone with an interest in baseball history will find invaluable.This reference tool is well worth the price.

THE Baseball Reference Book
I have read two previous editions of Total Baseball and this 8th edition is the very best.For all TB readers out there the 8th edition still has complete statisical player guide with the standard statisticsbaseball historian tend to expect.The newest stat added is the Win Shares for each season and carrier.Anyone would has read Bill James' Historical Baseball abstract is familiar with this stat.
What makes the 8th ed of TB a better book than all that have come before are the essays on both the historical progession of the game and on hot botton issues.Essays take onhot button subjects as the greatest team of all time(not the '27 Yanks)and whether Bonds is the greatest ever. Also included are essays from contemorary SPORT magizines on player profiles.
In short this book is simply the greatest as far as historical reference and as always is the greatest stat guide ever produced.5 stars + ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

With locator maps, a trivia quiz, a timeline and an index
Compiled and deftly organized by baseball enthusiast Russell Roberts, 100 Baseball Legends Who Shaped Sports History is a simple compilation of one hundred major figures from the sport of baseball. Each one-page biography features a photograph of the baseball personality, along with a brief summary of his life and professional career. Enhanced with locator maps, a trivia quiz, a timeline and an index, 100 Baseball Legends Who Shaped Sports History is an engaging and "reader friendly" resource for baseball fans to page through for quick reference and simple fun. ... Read more

Product Description

Back in the 1940s and 1950s, almost every small town in America had a baseball team. Most players were simply local heroes with a local following, but a few teams achieved fame far beyond their region. The Alpine Cowboys--despite being based in Texas's remote, sparsely populated Big Bend country--became a star in the firmament of semi-pro baseball. Lavishly underwritten by a wealthy rancher with a passion not only for baseball but even more for helping young men get a good start in life, the Cowboys played on a "field of dreams" whose facilities rivaled those of professional ballparks. Many Cowboys went on to play in the big leagues, and several pro teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, and St. Louis Browns, came to play exhibition games at Kokernot Field.

The story of Herbert Kokernot Jr. and his Alpine Cowboys is a legend among baseball aficionados, but until now it has never been the subject of a book. DJ Stout, son of former Cowboys player Doyle Stout, presents a hall-of-fame-worthy collection of photographs, memorabilia, and reminiscences from Alpine Cowboys players, family members, and fans to capture fifteen years (1946-1961) of baseball at its finest. Nicholas Dawidoff's introduction, originally published in Sports Illustrated, tells the fascinating tale of "Mr. Herbert" and his determination to build a baseball team and ballpark that deserved to carry his ranch's 06 brand.

One of the most heartwarming episodes in the annals of the game, The Amazing Tale of Mr. Herbert and His Fabulous Alpine Cowboys is a fitting tribute to a man, a team, and a ballpark.

Customer Reviews (1)

fantastic
This book brings back a lot of good memories of growing up in Alpine.Pictures are very good quality and the story line and history is excellent.A must buy for Alpine Cowboy baseball fans. ... Read more

Product Description
One of the Most Important Teams in the History of SportsIn 1947, major league baseball experienced its first measure of integration in the modern era when the Brooklyn Dodgers brought Jackie Robinson to the National League. While Robinson’s breakthrough opened the gates of opportunity for African Americans and other minority players, the process of integration proved slow and uneven. It was not until the 1960s that a handful of major league teams began to boast more than a few Black and Latino players. But the 1971 World Championship team enjoyed a full and complete level of integration, with half of its twenty-five-man roster comprised of players of African American and Latino descent. That team was the Pittsburgh Pirates, managed by an old-time Irishman.

In The Team That Changed Baseball: Roberto Clemente and the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates, veteran baseball writer Bruce Markusen tells the story of one of the most likable and significant teams in the history of professional sports. In addition to the fact that they fielded the first all-minority lineup in major league history, the 1971 Pirates are noteworthy for the team’s inspiring individual performances, including those of future Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, and Bill Mazeroski, and their remarkable World Series victory over the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles. But perhaps their greatest legacy is the team’s influence on the future of baseball, debunking the myth that a multicultural clubhouse could not win and inspiring later championship teams such as the New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics to open their doors fully to all talented players, regardless of race, particularly in the new era of free agency. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Pirates Fan
If you are a Pirates fan and/or a fan of Roberto Clemente then this book is a must read.Interesting insight into the 1971 Pirates.

the team that changed baseball- r.clemente & 1971 pirates
Fantastic read! I wanted to know more about this team. Clemente is one on my favorites. Also. my father-in-law was a Brig. Gen. & Commander of recruiting for the Air Force at that time. He was made an honorary member of the 1971 Pirates team and sat in the dug out during the series. He was presented with a Pirate game hat, game ball signed by every player on the Pittsburg team and and LP (remember 1971) of the event with him speaking at a dinner to the team. He game me the ball on my 30th birthday. What a treat.
Stoney Coppage

An important team in baseball history
The 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates were "a product of an aggressive search for winning talent of any color and the willingness to play that talent at any position--even if it meant a lineup of blacks, whites, Asians, Latinos or any combination," according to author Bruce Markusen.

The 1971 Pirates, in fact, fielded the first all-black lineup on Sept. 1.The lineup was not a token lineup or an attempt to be the first team to do so.The Pirates were in the midst of a tight pennant race.The lineup that day consisted of: Rennie Stennett, 2B; Gene Clines, CF; Roberto Clemente, RF; Willie Stargell, LF; Manny Sanguillen, C; Dave Cash, 3B; Al Oliver, 1B; Jackie Hernandez, SS; and Dock Ellis, P.

Manager Danny Murtaugh said, "Once a Pirate puts on a uniform, I don't notice the color of his skin.When it comes to making out the lineup, I'm colorblind and my players know that."

Nearly 25 years after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, major league teams still had unwritten quotas about the number of black players they carried on their roster.The Pirates showed that being colorblind was not only the right philosophical approach, but also a winning one.

According to Markusen, there was no racism and little or no dissension on the 1971 Pirates.The teammates were very close and there was a healthy clubhouse atmosphere.

Markusen chronicles the 1971 season in a month-by-month approach, which grows tedious after a while.But, he manages to hit the highlights without a game-by-game description.

Even though I remember the 1971 World Series, I had forgotten all the surprising moves Murtaugh made as the Pirates upset the powerful Baltimore Orioles.Murtaugh's gut feelings concerning starting pitchers and lineup choices paid off as the Bucs came back from being down two games to none.The Orioles were hurt by nine errors in the first five games.

Markusen concludes with interesting thumbnail sketches of what happened to each of the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates.

You'll Feel Like You're Reliving the 1971 Season!
The subtitle of Bruce Markusen's The Team that Changed Baseball is "Roberto Clemente and the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates."I was born and raised in Pittsburgh and the '71 World Series is one I'll never forget.On top of all that, Roberto Clemente has always been a hero of mine, so I simply had to read this book.

One of the things that makes this title so special is the difference between media coverage of a World Series back then vs. one today.Every aspect of the game and players lives is covered today.It's hard to miss even the smallest detail.Back then you had the game itself and a couple of local sports columnists.No ESPN.No Internet.No DVR-ing all the pre-game hype on every single channel.Even though I read every article I could back in 1971, I learned a lot of new tidbits thanks to this great book.

Markusen does a fantastic job of taking you back to the entire 1971 season.His extensive interviews with many of the players and coaches make this book a treasure for any Pirates fan of the 1970's.Month-by-month regular season assessments of the team's performance, roster changes, etc., lead up to almost 40 pages of coverage dedicated to the '71 World Series...yet another one the Pirates were supposed to lose, this time, to the extremely talented Baltimore Orioles.

My favorite part of this book is the "Where Are They Now" chapter he closes with.It was fun to read what some of these guys are up to now, especially the ones I hadn't even thought about since the early '70's.Any baseball fan will enjoy this book, but if you're a Pirates fan and you followed the team in 1971, you definitely need to add The Team that Changed Baseball to your library.

Not exactly what I expected
Those that love baseball or the Pittsburgh Pirates will love this book. The author has written a very engaging and easy read concerning the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates.Therein lies my problem. This book is essentially a chronological history of one year of one baseball team. I was expecting far more regarding integration and racial and social conflicts than what was included. There are whole chapters devoid of any discussion of race, integration, and other aspects one would associate with these issues. When the author does discuss the issue of integration in baseball, the coverage remains very limited and leaves the reader asking far more questions. One would think there would be far more coverage and debate of this issue given the title of the book and the supposed focus of the effort. However, this work is essentially a view of one year in a professional baseball team. Those that love baseball will find it a very good work whereas those who were hoping for a deeper study of professional baseball's struggle with integration, may want to look elsewhere. ... Read more

Product Description
From its nascent beginnings in the mid-19th century totoday's league that draws top pro prospects, major league scouts andmedia coverage from around the country, Cape Cod summer baseballboasts one of the sport's most colorful and captivatinghistories. Featuring vintage photographs, thrilling game accounts,rare team records and insightful analysis, Christopher Price presentsa compelling close-up of a treasured tradition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

A good read even for non-baseball fanatics
While I enjoy an afternoon at the game as much as anyone, I've never considered myself a baseball fan. I read this on the recommendation of a friend, however, and found it to be enjoyable on several levels. On one level, while it's quite clear where the NFL and NBA get their talent, MLB's methods aren't quite as visible for the non-fan; Price's book shed some light on how pro hopefuls work their way into the big leagues.

But more importantly, "Baseball by the Beach," shows why baseball is truly America's favorite pasttime. While recent events involving pro players have soured our memories of what makes baseball so magical, the history of the Cape Cod league as presented by Price reminds us of a time when the game was pure -- and the accounts of the league's present-day incarnation give us hope that this sense of magic might yet make a comeback. It's enough to renew this fan's faith in the game.

inaccuracies and vital information omitted
I've read the book Baseball by The Beach by Christopher Price.I found many inaccuracies and vital information omitted.

For instance, on page 50, Manny Robello was not the manager of Sagamore or umpire-in-chief.The manager and umpire-in-chief was Manny Pena. On page 54, concerning a big meeting, that meeting was about Manny Pena bringing in college ballplayers. You see the managers at first did not want to bring any out-siders in to play for the League. When they finally agreeed they only limited each team to bring in 3 players per team. The Next year Manny brought in 6. Manny Pena also attended that meeting because he was the General Manager for Sagamore. On page 49, 3rd paragraph talks about Sagamore, without mention of Manny Pena. On page 87, last paragraph discusses the umpires and the major league. Manny Pena was the umpire-in-chief. And he was interviewed by the FBI about his umpires doing the games while they had the umpires strike. George Scott of the Boston Red Soxs was married to Lucky Pena.

I have tried to reach out to Chistoper Price but I have not yet been able to get in contact with him. I will be writing the publisher of the book in the very near future.

Brings Back A Lot Of Memories
I think the book is great but, just too short. It took quite a while to find it, but I finally did.
I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in the game of baseball, because it gives a great history of the best collegiate baseball league in the country.
I played 3 summers in the Cape League, Wareham 1975, and Harwich 1976 and 1977, and they were truly 3 of the best summers I have ever spent. The jobs weren't the greatest, but the baseball sure was. If any college player ever gets the opportunity to play in this league, they should jump at it.
Reading this book and seeing the names of ballplayers I was fortunate enough to play with, sure brought back a lot of memories.
When does the sequel come out?

Wonderful
Have owned this book since it first came out and my husbnd and I (and now my son) often refer to it upon attending different CCBL ganmes! We love the Gatemn....they are the best in our "book"

This book is wonderful...full of history and insight...it brings you back to the true hereos of basbeall.A must read!Chris Price does a remarkable job of catching just enough info and history and stats. We are looking forward to an updated edition to catch all the wonderful games and plays that followed this edition.

GO GATEMEN!

The daughter of an umpire
My father was one of the Cape Cod Baseball Leagues prestigious umpires.Curly Clement umpired in the Cape League for 35 years and the stories that he tells about the "kids" who played baseball during theirsummers from school can be read within the covers of this book.It is amust book to read if you love the game of baseball. ... Read more

Product Description
At least as far back as 1842 through about the late 1930s and mid–1940s, before baseball became commercialized and teams were able to hire one man to manage the entire team, it was not uncommon for one person to fill the roles of player and manager simultaneously. Often, the strongest, brightest, or best player—or sometimes the person who owned the playing equipment—directed his teammates.

Forty-two of those men who were both players and managers at the same time are profiled in this work. The book leads off with chapters describing what it was like to fill the dual role and how it came about. Then, chapters are devoted to such men as Cap Anson, Connie Mack, Charles Comiskey, John McGraw, Mickey Cochrane, Dave Bancroft, Ty Cobb, Mel Ott, Joe Cronin, and Pete Rose, just to name a few. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Well researched, well written
Fred Stein has written a superb book on the player-managers, an interesting aspect of baseball when the economics of the game were different. As a younger fan watching today's busy managers, I find it fascinating to imagine what it was like when managers had to do double duty -- playing the game while running it. ... Read more