Tales from the Cubs Dugout [Hardcover]

Pete Cava (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 4, 2000

Have so many ever cheered so much for so little? The Chicago Cubs last won the World Series in 1908 and last appeared in the Fall Classic the year World War II ended.Yet Cubs fans are among the most loyal, most knowledgeable, and most rabid in baseball. The teams they have loved and the players they have cherished have provided some of the game's finest moments, as well as a treasure trove of baseball lore. The Cubs' home park, Wrigley Field, is as much a national landmark as the Empire State Building or the Golden Gate Bridge. A charter member of the National League, the Cubs were born in 1876 -- the same year the Seventh Cavalry fought at Little Big Horn. Cap Anson, baseball's first superstar and possibly the finest player of the 19th century, played for early Cubs squads. In the early years of the 20th century, the fantastic double-play combination of Tinkers to Evers to Chance was immortalized in verse. Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown, Grover Cleveland Alexander, and Fergie Jenkins rank among baseball's greatest pitchers, while hitters Kiki Cuyler, Hack Wilson, Billy Herman, Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, and Sammy Sosa have put up amazing numbers. But the Cubs transcend baseball much the same way that Paris transcends Europe. The story of the Cubs is part legend, part pathos, often heroic, and, on occasion, hilarious.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The lore of two storied franchises that haven't won a championship in the lifetimes of most readers is addressed in these volumes. Both teams have a wide and devoted following. These books make for light and breezy reading as they are basically compilations of anecdotes, some off-color, and odd facts about the greats and lesser-known players. Arranged alphabetically by last name, the anecdotes are separated and bordered by graphics of baseballs. Some illustrations of players also appear throughout. The humor of the books should appeal to young adults as well as their parents. The anecdotes strive to be insightful, though some readers might consider the stories to be bland at best. These books are optional purchases that regional libraries may consider. [The Red Sox's last World Series championship came at the expense of the even more starcrossed Cubs, in 1918.DEd.].DPaul Kaplan, Lake Villa Dist. Lib., I.
-.DPaul Kaplan, Lake Villa Dist. Lib., IL
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Pete Cava is a native of Staten Island, New York. He graduated from Fordham University before beginning his journalism career as a sports reporter for the "Manhattan Mercury" (Kansas) and as a broadcaster for KJCK Radio in Junction City, Kansas. Cava served as media information officer for the AAU for six years before joining USA Track & Field, then known as The Athletic Congress. During a 25-year career in Olympic sports, he was in charge of media services at hundreds of national and international events, including weightlifting, wrestling, and track and field championships. In 1998 Cava left track to field to create International Sports Associates, a writing/research/consulting firm whose clients include the United States Olympic Committee, the Sacramento Sports Commission, Indiana Olympians, and American Sports Nutrition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 275 pages
• Publisher: Sports Masters (August 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583820442
• ISBN-13: 978-1583820445
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,841,782 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed, September 22, 2000

By 

Ed Hartig (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tales from the Cubs Dugout (Hardcover)

I was disappointed. The title says "Tales From the Cubs Dugout" and yet its obvious that the author didn't bother talking with any of the players. Where were the accounts in Ernie Banks' own words? Or Billy Williams? Or Ron Santo's? Or Andy Pafko's? Or Mark Grace? These players are all very accessible and are more than willing to talk about their days in a Cubs uniform.

Instead, the author has chosen to re-tell stories that have been told over and over again. And even that's being generous as most of the tales aren't even tales - but rather more like summaries from old Cubs media guides.

If this book had a different title - such as "Cubs Facts" or "The Players", etc., I would not have been as disappointed - that's why I give it two stars and not one. But when I see "Tales" in the title, I expect to read at least some narrative from the players themselves.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars And I'm Not Even A Baseball Fan, September 20, 2004

By 

K. L. Nappier ""Original and totally addi... - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tales from the Cubs Dugout (Paperback)

My son's the fan of the game, but we BOTH got such a kick out of this book. Pete Cava's easy style makes you feel like your rump's sitting right on the bench with some of baseball's most colorful boys of summer. Lots of human interest, which was what I liked, and lots of game trivia so the hardcore fan can wow his (or her) buddies.

The fact that the author balances the immortals with the amazing and compelling that've been almost lost in history keeps you saying "I didn't know that!" over and over. And if MY son said that so often while reading this, I'll bet there's plenty for other aficianados to discover, too.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reading., August 20, 2000

By 

Michael J Woznicki "Michael J Woznicki" (Holland, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tales from the Cubs Dugout (Hardcover)

Grover Alexander, Cap Anson, Ernie Banks, Lou Brock, Three-Finger Brown, Chuck Connors, Andre Dawson, Mark Grace, Stan Hack, Rogers Hornsby, Fergie Jenkins, Sammy Sosa, Bruce Sutter and Hack Wilson have something in common - they all played for the Chicago Cubs and they are all included in this book.

In fewer than 300 pages, Pete Cava captures the magic of one of baseball's most colorful and storied franchises in the history of the game. Putting together a series of short stories, one liners, quips and anecdotes this is one book that will inform and entertain the reader.

Spanning the decades and covering some of baseball's best, Cava is able to bring to life what sitting on the pine was really like. From Cap Anson's first day, to Rogers Hornsby .380 team record batting average, to Ron Santo's days at third, there is something in here for everyone.

Whether a Cubs fans or a fan of baseball this book is for you and priced to fit every budget. Also stop by Sports Publishing Inc.'s Web site and take a look at so many other books on baseball and other sports.