Minor League Reference Books

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Posted By: Dave Hornish

Can any of you recommend a good minor league reference book or two? I'm looking for something that covers teams and players at least through 1957 and identifies the major league parent club as well for affiliated teams. I don't necessarily need player batting or pitching stats but would want accurate team roster information and player biographical information (real name, height, weight, birthdate and town). I have seen, as I wind my way back through the posts on this board, a couple of you mention some reference books you find useful in researching vintage card sets.

Thanks for the help!

Dave

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Posted By: Bruce Dorskind

Mcfarland Publishing in Jefferson North Carolina
(they also have a London office) has published
more than a dozen books on various minor leagues.

To learn more visit their web site at http://www.mcfarlandpub.com

Should you have a particular interest in the Pacific Coast League,
the classic book to procure is Fred W. Lange's

"History of Baseball in California and the Pacific Coast League
1847-1938.

Whilst modestly priced in the $200-300 range, it is difficult
to obtain a pristine copy. You might want to contact Max
Weder, a Vancourer based bookselller and a Board Member.

Finally, a selected number of Minor Leagues are associated
with small local museums...so Google away and contact
at your leisure.

We hope that this information is of value in your quest
for knowledge about Life On America's Other Farm

Best,


Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want List

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Posted By: barrysloate

Spalding and Reach Guides from the era are loaded with minor league statistics.

Also try "The Story of Minor league Baseball 1901-1952" published by The National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues; The Stoneman Press, 1952. It's not too tough to find and should run you around $50.

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Posted By: Andy Cook

Can anyone confirm whether the 1915-16 Spaulding and/or Reach guides have detailed minor league rosters and stats?
Thanks,
Andy

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Posted By: Frank Wakefield

2 books I find of great assistance....

The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball.

And,

The Minor League Register.

I think the 1915 Spalding Guide does not list detailed information for individual batters and pitchers.

Seems to me that most folks buy the greenish "Guide" books, but I've always liked the red "Record" books better.

Frank.

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

The Spalding/Reach guides are great, but usually do not have the first names of players and do not have team rosters. They are good for League information and league leading statistics.

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Posted By: barrysloate

Andy- I just pulled out my 1915-16 Spalding Guides and they are chock full of information, loads of pictures, and some team and player stats. I don't have a set of Reach Guides but as I recall they tackled the minor leagues in more detail.

Anything you need me to look up for you?

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Posted By: Anonymous

The Spalding Guides for selected years are on-line at the Library of Congress site. It's a great research help.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/spaldinghtml/spaldingbibTitles1.html
The complete editions avaialable are: 1889, 1894, 1895, 1906, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1915, 1917, 1922, 1929, 1930, 1934, 1939.

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Posted By: Joe D.

but if College Baseball falls under the realm of Minor League Baseball -

if anyone in their research stumbles upon information about this team (who they are), please let me know.



larger scan here:
http://www.internetville.com/images/displayimage.php?pid=692&fullsize=1

Thanks.

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Posted By: Patrick

Try the Western Leauge - It has alot of pics' bios, stats. Without this league the Yankees and Red Sox would never of had a rivalry.

For in 1901 the Western told the Nationals to go to hell, and changed their name to Americn.

I may seem bias for I had a hand in the getting the book published.

http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?isbn=0-7864-1003-5

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Posted By: Mike Ellis

For City and Team Name information, a good reference is "Professional Baseball Franchises From Abbeville Athletics to the Zanesville Indians". It was published in 1993 by Facts on File, Inc. 460 Park Avenue South, New York. It has listings by both City name and Team name for all franchises from 1869 to 1993. Also has a listing of leagues. I have a copy and would be happy to look up any information you need.

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Posted By: Dave Hornish

Thanks everyone for all the help-I just purchased the Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball-should be here in a couple of days. I'll see how that is and then take it from there.

Dave

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Posted By: bijoem

I want to thank Patrick for reaching out to me via email - and putting me on a path that solved the mystery. Today in the mail I received photocopies identifying the team in this RPPC, as well as the player names and the team record.



As per the 1912 Spalding's College Baseball Annual -

This team is: Northwestern College, Watertown Wisconsin

1. Springling, Coach; 2. Lueckel; 3. C. Schweppe; 4. Kehrberg; 5. Burk; 6. F. Schweppe; 7. Masch, Mgr.; 8. Berg, Capt.; 9. Mascot; 10, Mahnke; 11, Rosin; 12. Kluender; 13. Koch; 14. Quebl.

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Posted By: Dave Hornish

Got the Minor League Encyclopedia the other day-an impressive work, although the prime focus is on leagues and teams, not individual players.

I have the SABR Minor Lague Stars books and a few other volumes covering specific teams or leagues but wonder if there is a comprehensive listing of "what players played for which teams" that covers matters through the last year of the old classification system (1962)? Probably not.

I did just read a great book called "Dem Little Bums" covering the Dodgers Nashua AA team in the late 40's-a well-done effort. Have a Montreal Royals book coming from Amazon at the moment, looking forward to that as well.

Dave