Baseball's First Indian, Louis Sockalexis: Penobscot Legend, Cleveland Indian [Hardcover]

Ed Rice (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2003

Born in 1871 on Maine's Penobscot Indian reservation and nephew of a chief, Louis Sockalexis became professional baseball's first American Indian player. Ultimately, his prowess on the diamond inspired the nickname Cleveland's baseball team carries today. Baseball's First Indian explores the brilliant but too-brief major league career of the 'Deerfoot of the Diamond' at the end of the 1890s, describes his fall to New England's minor leagues, and watches his final return to the reservation in Maine where he continued as a baseball coach and umpire. Author Ed Rice's fascinating study of the life of Louis Sockalexis is filled with game-by-game action and leavened by the flamboyant and colourful stories of nineteenth-century sportswriters who frequently invented what the truth would not supply. Every student of baseball history will treasure Baseball's First Indian.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

In addition to teaching journalism and communication studies at the college level, Ed Rice has written theater criticism and arts commentary for the Portland (Maine) Press Herald, Maine Sunday Telegram, Maine Times, and Maine Public Broadcasting System’s "Maine Things Considered." In February 2000, he wrote the biographical profile of Louis Sockalexis that appears annually in the Cleveland Indians Media Guide and on the team’s web site. He also spearheaded the nomination drive that led to the induction of both Louis and Andrew Sockalexis into the national American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame in Lawrence, Kansas in April 2000. His nomination led to the induction of Andrew Sockalexis into the Maine Running Hall of Fame in 1990.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Tide-Mark Press; 1ST edition (July 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559497386
• ISBN-13: 978-1559497381
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,903,268 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take This One Home!, September 18, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Baseball's First Indian, Louis Sockalexis: Penobscot Legend, Cleveland Indian (Hardcover)

This new book by Ed Rice has everything--stats, rare photos of Louis Sockalexis and Hall-of-Famers such as "Cy" Young and Jesse Burkett, and game-by-game summaries. We learn about "Sock's" short, brilliant career as an outfielder with an arm like a rifle and the fastest feet in the league. But too much drinking and an ankle injury ruined Louis's speed and fielding. He was let go after 3 seasons and drifted around the minor leagues. Occasionally he played well but he never regained his former brilliance.

Sockalexis went home to Maine and worked as a logger and ferry operator. He also stopped drinking, and earned respect as an umpire for the rough Maine leagues. "Coach Sockalexis" taught young Penobscots the game and proudly sent five of them to the New England League.

Ed Rice gives us a nice glimpse into "Sock's" later years when he was much admired by friends and colleagues. His fellow tribesmen honor him to this day as a great athlete. Enjoy this interesting bio as you count the days to spring training!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book's a Home Run!, September 1, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Baseball's First Indian, Louis Sockalexis: Penobscot Legend, Cleveland Indian (Hardcover)

This is the story of Louis Sockalexis, the first Indian ballplayer who had a great college career but fizzled out in the majors. Maine author Ed Rice tells us all about this player who became a national sensation in one short season. This exciting bio is crammed with baseball lore and play-by plays of Sockalexis's games with Holy Cross and the early Cleveland Indians. Without TV or radio, the fans had to imagine Sock's sizzling throws to the plate from deep right field and hot line drives. He was so fast he could steal bases at will. He had to face war whoops and taunting crowds, but like Jackie Robinson, he just quietly played the game. Sadly, drinking cut his career short but he holds a special place in baseball history as a pioneer and great player who could have become a champion if he'd lasted long enough. This book makes great reading during baseball season!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Angel in the Outfield, August 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Baseball's First Indian, Louis Sockalexis: Penobscot Legend, Cleveland Indian (Hardcover)

For part of one magical season in 1897, Louis Sockalexis, "Baseball's First Indian," had wings on his feet in the outfield. The fastest runner in the country, he ran down line drives and made spectacular diving catches followed by bullet-like throws to the plate. He went on a hot hitting streak that seemed unstoppable. Though he was showered with racial abuse at first, he soon won over the crowds with his calm demeanor and easy smile. It helped that he was rugged and handsome. If only the magic had lasted!

Louis had an alcohol addiction that soon made itself known. It wrecked his career when he injured himself and lost his lightning-quick speed and reflexes. The Cleveland Spiders (now Indians) gave him several chances to shape up, but he couldn't stop drinking. Finally they let him go in 1899. He drank himself off several minor league teams as well but occasionally showed flashes of his former brilliance. He played one complete season with the Lowell Tigers, posting a .288 average. In 1902 he went home to Indian Island for good. He quit drinking and won respect as an umpire and coach for Penobscot youths who were proud to learn from the best.

Of the three new books on Sockalexis, this one by Ed Rice is the most complete, covering each game of "Sock's" career and giving us a close look at his last years among his tribesmen, who honor his memory to this day. Mr. Rice grew up in Maine with the legend of Sockalexis close by, and decided many years ago his story was worth telling. This book is a remarkable portrait of a gifted ballplayer who's finally getting the attention he deserves.