Customer Reviews

The Pittsburgh Pirates (Writing Baseball)

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First published in 1948 as part of Putnam's baseball team history series, Fred Lieb's book is a good summary account of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Pittsburgh fielded professional baseball clubs as early as the 1880s, and became part of what became the National League in 1887. In 1891 they took on the name Pirates after being called "piratical" by the American Association after Pittsburgh signed a non-reserve player from the AA. Lieb's emphasis is on the early years of the organization: the first half of the book brings the team's history only up to 1910, with the second half breezing through the remaining 37 years. Honus Wagner and Fred Clarke receive much attention, as does early owner Barney Dreyfuss. One might wish for more anecdotal information on various players or in-depth coverage, but space limitations hamper such things in a summary history such as this. Regardless, it's a good account of the team and its star players and should delight old-time Bucs fans and baseball enthusiasts alike.

A classic baseball book reprinted about the Pittsburgh Pirates. Fred Lieb gives a great account of the early history of the Pirates up to the late 1940's. With the election of Barney Dreyfuss to the Hall of Fame this year, this book is even more useful with it's in depth profile of the great owner. Each Pennant winning year is chronicled more fully. An extremely interesting read for any Pirate fan.