A history of the baseball, published in conjunction with a PBS documentary, with essays, facts, & over 500 photos. This is an incredible book for the baseball fan & for anyone interested in the social history of America as reflected in a sport. It is filled with wonderful photographs. Students will want to browse through the memorabilia of baseball & read about the evolution of the game. For the most part, the chapters focus on decades & look at every aspect of the game, including the rules, players, owners, facilities, & fans.
General Note
Includes index.
Content Note
Preface: Where memory gathers -- Introduction: Hard lines / Roger Angell -- 1st inning: Our game : beginnings to 1900 ; Why baseball / John Thorn -- 2nd inning: Something like a war : 1900-1910 ; Stats / Bill James -- 3rd inning: The faith of fifty million people : 1910-1920 ; The minors / David Lamb -- 4th inning: That big son of a bitch : 1920-1930 ; The church of baseball / Thomas Boswell -- 5th inning: Shadow ball : 1930-1940 ; Why would you feel sorry for me? / an interview with Buck O'Neil ; Thirties baseball / Robert W. Cramer -- 6th inning: The national pastime : 1940-1950 ; Fan / Doris Kearns Goodwin -- 7th inning: The capital of baseball : 1950-1960 ; Fifties baseball / George F. Will ; 8th inning: A whole new ball game : 1960-1970 ; Baseball and African American life / Gerald Early -- 9th inning: Home : the modern era ; Always right on time / Daniel Okrent.