baseball books

[Bicem]

Just got done reading The Glory of Their Times, which I thought was amazing. Can anyone recommend any other good vintage baseball books, preferably about the 1900-1920 era?

[matty6]

I enjoyed Al Stump's Cobb.

[Peter_Spaeth]

The Celebrant.

[ullmandds]

I just started reading Fred Lieb's book...baseball as I have known it... he grew up in the late 1890's and became a prominent writer in the early 20th c and he knew all of the greats...wagner, cobb, ruth and especially gehrig...and supposedly he had total recall...it's been great so far...never knew the babe was such a whore and was so blatant about it!!!!! His recall of the early World Series matches is amazing as well!!!!

[FrankWakefield]

I agree with the previous 3 suggestions. The Celebrant is an amazing novel...

Not to put above, but to accompany, there's a book by a fellow named Fleming about the 1908 pennant race and season. He did a book about the 1934 season about the Gashouse Gang. I think it's The Unforgettable Season.

And there's a big coffee table sized book, Baseball, by Patten and McSpadden. It covers 1910 baseball amazingly well.

[deebro041]

If you are looking for previous 1900 anything by Peter Morris is fabulous!

[irishdenny]

Bicem,

I Truly Loved this book! I was just thinking that, "I Wish they would make a Movie out of it."

Somebody Needs to make a Matty Movie!!!

http://www.amazon.com/The-Old-Ball-Game-Mathewson/dp/0871138859

If you want it? PM me you address and I'll get it off to you... You might have to wait a few... We moved last July and I haven't unpacked all of my books as of yet... But it's your's if you want it!?!?

Just LMK...

[cdn_collector]

One book that I really enjoyed was 'When Boston Won the World Series', by Bob Ryan. And I will second Denny's suggestion, 'The Old Ball Game' was a great read.

And thanks for the other suggestions everyone. The last thing I needed to do today was add more books to my reading list, but it appears I'll be doing just that ;)

Regards,

Richard.

Edited to add: A book that recently appeared on my radar, but that I have not yet purchased: 'The First Fall Classic' by Mike Vaccaro

[daves_resale_shop]

1-The Player: Phil Sieb
2-walter Johnson: henry Thomas
3-Ty and the Babe: Tom Stanton (little outside of the era-but a good read)
4-Rube Waddell: Howard Levy
5-Baseball's First indian: ed rice

this should keep you busy for awhile...

[frankbmd]

Crazy '08: How a Cast of Cranks, Rogues, Boneheads, and Magnates Created the Greatest Year in Baseball History

Not yet mentioned but worthwhile

[Hankphenom]

Shameless plug: If you enjoyed reading "Glory," you must get the CD set taken from the original interview tapes. You'll listen to them over and over, I still do.

[Runscott]

Shameless plug: If you enjoyed reading "Glory," you must get the CD set taken from the original interview tapes. You'll listen to them over and over, I still do.

If I had to hit the road with nothing but a backpack, this would be in it.

[Tomman1961]

Being a Cobb fan, I agree with Matty6.
I recommend reading both books that were written by Al Stump, and in the order they were published: The first book, Cobb was alive and had complete editorial control over Stump. So Cobb comes off as the mis-understood. Stump had no choice but to write it the way Cobb TOLD HIM TO. The next Cobb book by Stump, 30 years later(Cobb is dead), literally mirrors the first. Stump will tell you what Cobb said actually happened(mainly fights), but what Cobb TOLD Stump to say in the first book.
Again, I recommend that you get both and read them in order.
The books are titled My Life in Baseball: The True Record, and, Cobb: A Biography.

My Life in Baseball was ghostwritten by Stump. Cobb: A Biography was a follow up piece written after Cobb died. It was a reflection by Stump on his time with Cobb.

The Stump autobiography came out a few months after Cobb's death. Thirty years later, Stump wrote his own biography of Cobb.
Please read both - one right after the other-in the order they were published.
Also get your hands on the movie "Cobb". Which is a great start before you read the books. The movie is not as Cobb in his playing years, but Stump following Cobb during the months before the first book. I bet if you watch the movie, then read the books will really be the way to go.

[Runscott]

Interesting take. I read the Stump book and thoroughly enjoyed it. Then saw the movie and enjoyed that.

Still have not read the ghost-written Cobb bio, but a friend who has NOT read the ghostwritten one, read the bio and loved it. Him and I are visiting Royston in August for the first time.

[deadballera]

Currently reading..

More than Merkle: A History of the Best and Most Exciting Baseball Season in Human History by David Anderson.

Good read so far...

[sportscardpete]

Crazy '08: How a Cast of Cranks, Rogues, Boneheads, and Magnates Created the Greatest Year in Baseball History

Not yet mentioned but worthwhile

Very good book.

[drumback]

First, the Harold Seymour books are FANTASTIC ! If your goal is to learn as much as you can about the deadball era, that's the way to go.

If you want to learn as much as possible about the individual players of the time, I recommend Deadball Stars of the American League and, of course, Deadball Stars of the National League. Both were published by SABR, with various writers contributing.

One of my favorites is The First Fall Classic (Mike Vaccaro) about the World Series of 1912. Also, Where They Ain't, which sounds like a bio of Wilie Keeler, but is actually about the Baltimore Orioles of the 1890's. It's wonderful, and you will discover many interesting stories about McGraw and Jennings.

Finally, I have to mention Wrigleyville. Yes, it covers many years beyond the deadball era, but the account of the events leading up to the Merkle game and its aftermath, is fascinating. I don't read much of anything more than once, but I have read those few chapters from Wrigleyville several times. You will love it! The author is Peter Golenbock.

Mark

[Jaybird]

Veracruz Blues

[TheBig6]

July 2. 1903
The Mysterious Death of Hall-of-Famer Big Ed Delahanty
by Mike Sowell
I enjoyed it.

[FrankWakefield]

Jerry, I'm in agreement with you on Sowell's book. VERY well written. He provides a great setting and explanation as to why and how the two leagues exist; realistically it explains the transition from what baseball was in the late 1800's to what it is today. All while telling about Ed D.

[Jayworld]

Sleeper Cars and Flannel Uniforms: A Lifetime of Memories from Striking Out the Babe to Teeing It up with the President by Elden Auker. Wonderful book from this pre-war pitcher. Although I did not get my book signed before his death, he did sign my 1940 Playball card. Very nice man.