New Book is out about the 1929-31 Philadelphia Athletics

[leftygrove10]

I just wanted to let you Philadelphia Athletic fans know that there is a new book out about the 1929-31 Philadelphia Athletics. The book is named "Simply the Best: The Story of the 1929-31 Philadelphia Athletics". The author is Brett Topel. I have ordered the book from Amazon, but haven't received it yet. Hopefully it will be a good read.

In honor of this new book, feel free to show cards of your favorite 1929-31 Philadelphia Athletics players.

[HRBAKER]

[Jay Wolt]

Eddie Collins played his last 2 years in the bigs w/ the A's in that span, he retired after the 1930 season.

[Brian Van Horn]

.

[Brian Van Horn]

..

[leftygrove10]

I picked this one up earlier this year....

[leftygrove10]

[Robextend]

[leftygrove10]

[ls7plus]

Please let us know how the book is once you've received and read it, Brad. Foxx, Simmons, Cochrane and Grove are some of my favorite players.

Jeff, love that '23-'24 Exhibit Simmons--so tough to come by!

Regards,

Larry

[leftygrove10]

We'll do, Larry..... Although I wasn't there, Brett actually started his book tour a few weeks ago in the library in Lonaconing, MD.... The library has Lefty's 1931 MVP trophy on display.... Lefty was born in Lonaconing....

[milkit1]

Dykes, Grove and Cochrane

33 goudey dykes.JPG

1933 goudey grove signed.jpg

1933 goudey #73-81.jpg

[tedzan]

Thanks for informing us about this new book, I will check it out at my near-by Borders. I enjoy reading books on Connie Mack and his A's.




TED Z

[Leon]

A few theater type cards (blank backed Simmons is no longer mine)

[leftygrove10]

Originally Posted by milkit1

Attachment 38702

I love the autgraphed Grove Goudey.... Very nice!!!!

[leftygrove10]

[Kawika]

Howard Ehmke, 7-2 in 1929 and Game 1 winner in the WS, while with Syracuse in 1916.

[Jaybird]

Just picked this up yesterday from a fellow board member. Looking forward to the book. Thanks,

[HRBAKER]

[leftygrove10]

Nice cards, Jeff.... Those 1933 4/1's are hard to find....

[Ladder7]

[baseballart]

[leftygrove10]

Here are the rosters for these 3 years:

1929
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/team...p?y=1929&t=PHA

1930
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/team...p?y=1930&t=PHA

1931
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/team...p?y=1931&t=PHA

[leftygrove10]

[leftygrove10]

[jerseygary]

Has anyone read the book yet? I bought it from Amazon.com. It was a pretty inexpensive book and to tell you the truth, you get what you pay for. Now I understand that it is self-published so I can overlook all the spelling and grammar mistakes (heck, when I publish my first book despite 20 years in the design business I still let numerous mistakes slip through!). My big disappointment with the book was there was no description of what the players were like as a team- did they like one another, what did the players think of Grove and his tantrums, did Joe Boley and Al Simmons talk Polish and relate to one another because of their shared background, etc, etc. For me it was just a retelling of the 3 seasons they were great but with no depth to it. I didn't feel like I got to know any of the players better than from what I read casually already. I really was hoping the book would reveal how the team interacted on and off the field as I am always interested in the little things like chemistry that gives a team that edge.

That said, what the book does do is make available a much needed simple guide to what might be one of the top 3 teams in MLB history. Perhaps I was hoping for the impossible here. Siince there are no other books on this team from what I can find, maybe this is the much needed spark that will be the basis for further in-depth looks at this semi-forgotten team. I think I will have to buy separate bios on Simmons, Cochrane and Foxx to see if those books give any hint as to what the dynamics were on those 29-31 A's teams.

I'm really interested to see what anyone else thought about the book, and if there are any recommendations for other books on the 29-31 A's.