baseball books

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

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