Bury My Heart at Cooperstown: Salacious, Sad, And Surreal Deaths in the History of Baseball [Paperback]

Frank Russo (Author), Gene Racz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2006

Who died too young? Who drowned on a train? Who kept syphilis a secret? Where are baseball’s villains and greats buried?

Bury My Heart at Cooperstown is the rare baseball book that successfully walks the fine line between reverence and humor. A remarkable encyclopedia of information, this book tells the tales of baseball’s characters, its mascots and murderers, those who suffered heroically, and those who joyfully drank themselves into oblivion. Bizarre, tragic, twisted, honorable, and gruesome—their stories are collected here for tribute and trivia.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

If you've ever enjoyed a game of dead-guy baseball (choosing all-star teams made up of players with odd deaths), here is an indispensable reference. When Russo started his Web site (thedeadballera.com), he wasn't thinking dead guys; the "dead-ball era" refers to that period of early baseball history before the ball was juiced, and the home run became the ticket to fortune. Naturally, though, most of the players Russo researched were, well . . . dead, and many of them died outlandish deaths. Suddenly, Russo had a necrology on his hands, and a bizarre one at that. This volume gives in completely to the ghoulish angle, focusing specifically on the deaths of the dead-ballers with chapters on such somber swan songs as syphilis ("Clap for Your Heroes") and suicide ("Suicide Squeeze"). Unfortunately, the majority of the players from the dead-ball era will have faded from the memories of most fans; one can only hope that Russo plans another volume devoted to death in the live-ball era. You won't respect yourself in the morning, but you won't put this one down either. Bill Ott
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From the Publisher

"Baseball devotees will love this book for their own reasons, but so will non-acolytes. Maybe in different sets of hands that would have been impossible to pull off. But in Frank Russo’s and Gene Racz’s hands, what you’re about to read will soon become one of those books where the corners of the pages quickly wear away from overuse." —from the foreword by New York Post sportswriter Mike Vaccaro

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Triumph Books (April 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572438223
• ISBN-13: 978-1572438224
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,181,868 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GRAND SLAM!!!, April 17, 2006

By 

Conan the Librarian (St. Louis) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bury My Heart at Cooperstown: Salacious, Sad, And Surreal Deaths in the History of Baseball (Paperback)

Not your typical baseball book--this book is a must-have for the casual fan and baseball fanatic alike! It is full of interesting tidbits and trivia, not to mention a little scandal! Burial locations are provided, as well as excellent photos of many of the players mentioned and some of their final resting places!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Out of the box ...... Awesome !!, May 19, 2006

By 

Mike Belcheff "Hard Ball" (St Croix , USVI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bury My Heart at Cooperstown: Salacious, Sad, And Surreal Deaths in the History of Baseball (Paperback)

I Love the game and I have never thought of baseball in this way . I highly recommend this book to anyone that thinks they know everything about the game and the people that played it.It has changed me for ever.
I also recommend visiting Mr Russo's web site thats full of info and to continue to keep your interested and captivatived...... Bravo....... I look forward to your next Book ...!!!! Thankyou Mike

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book!!, May 11, 2006

By 

Fred Worth - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bury My Heart at Cooperstown: Salacious, Sad, And Surreal Deaths in the History of Baseball (Paperback)

Frank Russo has put together a very interesting compilation of baseball facts and personalities. He gives insights and information about a number of players I've heard of and introduced me to a number I hadn't heard of. Anyone who likes baseball, particularly those who are interested in the personalities behind the players, will find this book to be well worth the read.