Middle Innings: A Documentary History of Baseball, 1900-1948 [Paperback]

Dean A. Sullivan (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2001

Dean A. Sullivan presents a fascinating array of provocative, unexpected, and illuminating materials revealing the rich history of baseball. The 105 pieces in this work cover such topics as the Merkle Boner, Jim Thorpe, Christy Mathewson, the Black Sox scandal, Lou Gehrig, the death of Ray Chapman, Ty Cobb, Dizzy Dean, and more from the storied major leagues. Lesser-known treasures celebrate semipro teams, boys' baseball fiction, Japanese baseball, college ball, black baseball, the minor leagues, women's teams, and other facets of the wonderful game of baseball.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In the follow-up volume to the superb Early Innings, which documents baseball history in the 19th century, Sullivan has, in essence, compiled a scrapbook that continues the story from the founding of the American League to the debut of Jackie Robinson and the death of Babe Ruth. As with its predecessor, Middle Innings serves up a melange of primary sources--mainly original newspaper and periodical accounts of important events--then adds contextual introductions for each.

The compendium is as breezy as a summer evening at the ballpark, as fascinating as a perfectly executed hit-and-run, and covers the bases impressively. The dazzling line-up includes: the Giants refusal to play the 1903 World Series, Walter Johnson's signing with the Washington Senators, the opening of Ebbetts Field, Babe Ruth's first home run (wonderfully accounted for by Damon Runyon), the first Negro League All-Star Game, the end of Lou Gehrig's consecutive-game streak, the introduction of aluminum bats, and a recap of a season in the All-American Girls' Baseball League. An extensively appealing collection, Middle Innings combines serious research with some marvelous journalism, and is as full of surprises as the game itself. --Jeff Silverman, Sports editor --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"An invaluable reference tool."--Newark Star-Ledger. "[Middle Innings] begins with the formation of the American League and ends with the death of Babe Ruth. In between are some of the greatest baseball stories ever told."-- Chattanooga Times. "A broad array of illuminating and often unexpected materials ... The documents range far beyond the major leagues to recognize events in semipro, college, Japanese and minor league baseball. Negro League baseball receives its due as does the Mexican League, women's teams, boy's baseball fiction and wartime baseball. Every piece meets the highest standard and together [they] offer a rich review of the period."--Sports Collectors Digest. "An enthralling collection of documents that take the reader through a colorful journey of baseball history. A great book."--Ernie Harwell.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Bison Books (February 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080329283X
• ISBN-13: 978-0803292833
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,091,666 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars former minor leaguer gives it a THUMBS UP!, December 10, 2008

By 

Joel Katte "Author of MILWAUKEE BREWERS IQ tr... (Home of the Milwaukee Brewers) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Middle Innings: A Documentary History of Baseball, 1900-1948 (Paperback)

Great resource, especially if you think you might find yourself on Jeopardy the day they have the BASEBALL HISTORY category.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars clarification, December 24, 1999

By 

Mark Twain (Somewhere in the USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Middle Innings: A Documentary History of Baseball, 1900-1948 (Hardcover)

The Giants didn't refuse to play the 1903 World Series - it was the 1904 World Series - the Boston Pilgrims and Pittsburgh Pirates played in the '03 Series (the first WS)...