Customer Reviews

Baseball Memories 1950-1959: An Illustrated Scrapbook of Baseball's Fabulous 50's : All the Players, Managers, Cities & Ballparks

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4 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

All the old ballparks, color "postcards" from the cities, all the players, umpires, managers, uniforms, writers, broadcasters and even the nameplates from the local newspapers in each major league city. If you grew up with a transistor radio under the bedcovers listening to Bob Prince or Red Barber, Okkonen's books are better (and cheaper!) than a Jackie Robinson baseball card. A unique combination of nostalgia and factual information that is guaranteed to awaken memories dormant for years. His volumes on the thirties and "oughts" are similarly unique and wonderful.

I have to admit to being biased because it was in the year 1951 that I became a baseball fan and this book brought back some great memories. The first part of the book provides a brief history of the 1950s followed by what baseball was like during the 1950s. Included are each of the cities, ballparks, photos of team players during the decade followed by a brief wrap-up of each individual season. A nice addition was an inclusion of the top ten songs of each year during the 1950s. The individual photos are small and in black and white with the year and position the player played with the listed team. Several obscure players are listed as well. Being a fan of the Detroit Tigers I did notice the omission of players such as Lou Sleater, Jack Crimian, Rufus "Jake" Crawford, and Charles "Chick" King. Gene Freese is listed with the Pirates, but his brother George is not. The photo listed as Chico Fernandez as a Brooklyn Dodger does not look like him at all, whereas the one with the Phillies is the Chico Fernandez I remember. I didn't realize that Keith Thomas of the old Philadelphia Athletics was nicknamed "Kite". That is how he is referred to in the book, and checking the back of his 1953 Topps baseball card, his nickname is listed there.
If you grew up during the 1950's this book will be a walk down memory lane. This book was originally priced at $24.95.

the book was just what my brother wanted.he was so happy to get it inthe good condition it is in.we will order books again ty

I am married to Humberto "Chico" Fernandez who played in 1956 for the Brooklyn Dodgers. This book has my husband's name and the year 1956 with a photo of the WRONG Chico Fernandez. The photo is of the Chico Fernandez who only played one year for the Baltimore Orioles! This is a blatant error for a book published in 1993 that should have been caught before it went to print! My husband's photo should have been on the page with the 56 Dodgers! What a disappointment for him to see when he opened his gift book. WHERE is this author I would like to know! Mrs. Humberto "Chico" Fernandez

if you baseball.like i do buy i