Rogers Hornsby: A Biography [Paperback]

Charles Alexander (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 1996

A relentless competitor, Roger Hornsby--arguably the finest right-handed hitter in baseball's history--was supremely successful on the baseball field but, in many ways, a failure off it. Alexander turns his skilled eye to this complex individual, weaving the stories of his personal and professional life with a lively history of the sport. Photos.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Hornsby (1896-1963) was ill-educated and taciturn. After playing sandlot and minor league ball, the Texan went to St. Louis in 1915 to play for the Cardinals. Within years he developed from a weak-hitting, error-prone shortstop to a hard-hitting, power-producing second baseman (topping out at .424 in 1924), at his time perhaps the best player in the game after Babe Ruth. The author delves into Hornsby's professional and personal life: his relationship with managers Miller Huggins, Branch Rickey and John McGraw; his scandalous affair and subsequent 20-year marriage to a "flapper"; his personal prohibition on drinking and smoking; his reluctance to watch movies because they might impinge on his eyesight; and his obsession with horse racing-although he never learned to read a racing form. Alexander reviews Hornsby's successful tenure as player-manager of the Cardinals; his subsequent stints with the Giants, Braves, Cubs and Browns; and his career as manager and coach. Alexander (Our Game) has written a thorough if uninspired biography about one of baseball's most talented, yet least recognized, players. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Ready for some more baseball books, since you can't watch the game? Hornsby, whose 1924 batting average of .424 remains the major league record of the century, is here given the once-over by the author of Our Game (LJ 3/1/91).
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Holt Paperbacks (April 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805046976
• ISBN-13: 978-0805046977
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,375,982 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellant narration of one of baseball's true enigmas., June 4, 1999

By 

Daniel J. Wells (Royal Oak, Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rogers Hornsby: A Biography (Paperback)

Charles Alexander, an outstanding baseball historian (see Ty Cobb), attempts to give the reader an insight into one of baseball's all-time greats -- no small feat. Hornsby's career spanned over one-half of this century and the book offers great insights into the game and its stars, warts and all. However, the book's enigmatic subject remains virtually impossible to get to know or even to comprehend -- an man whose aloofness most of his contemporaries probably could attest to. But he was baseball, 100%, and this book is a fine read for fans, despite the unwillingness of its subject to allow the reader to really delve into his heart and mind.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book bats .400!, July 23, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Rogers Hornsby: A Biography (Hardcover)

I have come to expect nothing less from Charles C. Alexander than near perfection. His research is impeccable and thorough, as always. I have always had difficulty capturing the real Rogers Hornsby. Many, decidedly classified him as a wonderful hitter, a lazy fielder, and a difficult man. Alexander pretty well nailed him right on. This book represents a pure and near perfect baseball machine and an absolutely flawed and pathetic human being. If you are at all interested in Rogers Hornsby, this book is a must read. Anthony DeMedeiros, Toronto, Ontario

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Complete on Hornsby, May 2, 2000

By 

"radioactive_lemming" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rogers Hornsby: A Biography (Paperback)

Mr. Alexander extensivly researched the life of Rogers Hornsby. This book represents the fruit of his labor. The book can get dry in places while describing Hornsby's on field achievements-letting the feats speak for themselves; just as Hornsby would have wanted it. This is hardly a flaw for those who want to know the truth and not the myth of the best righthanded hitting machine EVER.

While not hated like Ty Cobb, Hornsby certianly had just as few friends. He was cold, short with people, humorless and offensivly blunt. His personality got him traded, fired, divorced and shunned. Alexander doesn't try to add personality where Hornsby didn't have one. He let Hornsby's baseball tunnel vision be the focus. Blunt- just like Hornsby.