17 used & new from $13.88

Have one to sell? Sell yours here

Tell the Publisher! I�d like to read this book on Kindle Don�t have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here.

Cy Young: A Baseball Life (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "ON MARCH 29, 1867, near the hamlet of Gilmore, Ohio, Denton True Young howled his way into the world..." (more)
Key Phrases: young file, foul strike rule, lowest opponents, National League, American League, New York (more...)

4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.

2 new from $30.00 15 used from $13.88

Formats		Amazon Price	New from	Used from
Hardcover Available from these sellers. Published May 31, 2000	Hardcover	--	$30.00	$13.88
Paperback $24.95 In Stock. Published April 30, 2003	Paperback	$24.95	$19.47	$8.87
Unknown Binding	Unknown Binding	--	--	--

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Walter Johnson: Baseball's Big Train

by Henry W. Thomas

4.4 out of 5 stars (21) $18.21

John McGraw

by Charles C. Alexander

4.1 out of 5 stars (7) $29.95

Ty Cobb (Sport in American Life)

by Charles C. Alexander

4.9 out of 5 stars (10) $10.89

The Player: Christy Mathewson, Baseball, and the American Century

by Philip Seib

3.8 out of 5 stars (8) $12.60

Tris Speaker: The Rough-and-Tumble Life of a Baseball Legend

by Timothy M. Gay

4.5 out of 5 stars (19) $13.22

› Explore similar items

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Cy Young, baseball's greatest pitcher, owns one record that will never be broken: 511 career victories. Unfortunately, Young didn't also possess the larger-than-life personality of a Babe Ruth or a Ty Cobb (whose signature records have both been surpassed). Consequently, his life has largely been forgotten. History professor Browning hopes to revive Young with this chronicle of a career that straddled the centuries and saw the birth of the modern game. The problem is that his subject won't cooperate. What few pieces of correspondence the semiliterate pitcher left behind "are almost silent about his thoughts." In addition, "Young was a quiet man" with an "aversion to interviews" and a reluctance to talk about himself. That's why, from a baseball writer's point of view, "[he] was not good copy"; from a reader's point of view, the same holds true. Young's private life must remain undecipherableAthe simple life of a humble man. As for his career, Browning tries his spirited best to bring countless games to life, but with little incisive commentary from Young himself, Browning's efforts are frustrated, and the book eventually grows wearisome. Nonetheless, the author has also packed in many colorful anecdotes: for example, on the evolution of the pitcher's mound, the origins of the American League (especially the Red Sox), the history of baseball in Cleveland and the first World Series. Ultimately, even if the book doesn't post a W, it isn't a bad game to watch. 24 illustrations. (June)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A carefully researched book written in a straight-forward reporter's style that should satisfy baseball buffs." -- (Cleveland) Plain Dealer

"A superb Young reader, documentary, [and] biography." -- Grandstand Baseball Annual

"A wonderfully nuanced and researched biography." -- Sports Collectors Digest

"An unusually readable book. . . . This biography is exemplary." -- SABR Book Reviews

"Browning produces an entertaining portrait of an exciting baseball season." -- The Historian

"It is difficult to imagine a more definitive biography of Young ever being done." -- Judge Paul Herbert, Casey Award selection committee --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

Hardcover: 283 pages
Publisher: University of Massachusetts Press (June 2000)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1558492623
ISBN-13: 978-1558492622
Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds

Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,681,060 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

› Visit Amazon's Reed Browning Page

Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
ON MARCH 29, 1867, near the hamlet of Gilmore, Ohio, Denton True Young howled his way into the world. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
young file, foul strike rule, lowest opponents, young pitched, baseball press, winningest pitcher, pitching corps, baseball war, older circuit, junior circuit, major league status, pitching distance, league owners, consecutive shutouts, league batting average, earned run average, baseball writers, consecutive scoreless, victory total

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
National League, American League, New York, Frank Robison, Jimmy Collins, World Series, Cyclone Young, Kid Nichols, Lou Criger, Patsy Tebeau, Tuscarawas County, Bill Dinneen, Jesse Burkett, Nig Cuppy, Rube Waddell, Ban Johnson, Temple Cup, Robba Young, Walter Johnson, Chief Zimmer, John Clarkson, Amos Rusie, Hot Springs, Boston Americans, Christy Mathewson

New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats

Books on Related Topics (learn more)

The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract by Bill James

Discusses:

The Pittsburgh Pirates by Fred Lieb

Discusses:

Where They Ain't by Burt Solomon

Discusses:

Red Sox Journal by John Snyder

Discusses:

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	63% buy the item featured on this page: Cy Young: A Baseball Life 4.6 out of 5 stars (16)
	11% buy Walter Johnson: Baseball's Big Train 4.4 out of 5 stars (21) $18.21
	10% buy Honus Wagner: A Biography 3.1 out of 5 stars (10) $21.95
	9% buy Crazy '08: How a Cast of Cranks, Rogues, Boneheads, and Magnates Created the Greatest Year in Baseball History 4.3 out of 5 stars (63) $11.66

Explore similar items

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

(What's this?)

Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.

history(1)

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

Customer Reviews

16 Reviews

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.6 out of 5 stars (16 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Greatest Baseball Player brought to life again, June 22, 2005

By	Hedley Lamarr (kentucky, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cy Young: A Baseball Life (Paperback)

I'm sure that if your "into the game and history of baseball," someone has asked you the following question...... "Who do you think is the greatest baseball player? Babe Ruth or Ty Cobb." Browning realizes that there have always been great players of the game. However, by the ending of the book, he proves that Cy Young's name should be up there with Cobb and Ruth. Mays, Ryan, Bonds, Koufax, Aaron.... outstanding players. However, for reasons that I'll not go into here, you need to read the book, to understand why there are many great players that are true legends.... Walter Johnson, Ted Williams. However, No one has come close to Ruth, Cobb, and Young, when you look at the big picture. Ruth was bigger than life, and I remember my grandfather talking about taking a train to New York just to set in the grand stadium known "as the house that Ruth built," and watch Ruth come up to the plate. A lot of the old-timers talked about Cobb playing the game more like a civil war battle. As for Young, at this point in time, there is no one living who can remember him as a player in his prime. The possible youngest person to see him perform in a major league game, would be at least 95 to 100 only to remember him as a player in his mid-forties with quite a gut. Browning states that this is one of the problems. Sure, there are still those baseball players that remember talking to the legend back in the 1950's when he was in his eighties, but one point Browning makes is that those who remember Young the pitcher are all gone. He also tells why Cobb and Ruth are usually remembered more, and have many books and movies of them, unlike Young. Ruth could drink and curse and raise hell with the best of 'em, and could usually be found at a whore house when not at home. Cobb who refused to play even exihibition games againt colored people, and was well known for his hot temper, and his hatred of anyone who crossed him (and that was almost everyone). Anyway the point here, is that an interesting life on and off the field makes more of a sensation to read about or watch. Cy Young, who was never thrown out of a game, led a very quite and normal life off the field. On and off the field he was a gentleman...... Not usually the stuff interesting books and movies are made of. Please don't think this book is about comparing Young, Ruth, and Cobb. this is only the opening of the book. Even though Young was a "gentleman" he didn't take any crap off anyone either. Cobb who was well known for his aggresiveness, and crowding the plate, years later said that he knew when Young warned me.... I'd best move out some or I'd be hit and hard. It's really a great book about a true baseball hero on and off the field. One final point Browning shows....... Young was not just great because of his records, of at least five that will probably never be broken. He was the greatest flexible player. Baseballs rules changed more in the 1890's and 1900's more than any other time. Read the book. Unreal that this man could remain at the tops from 1890-1911 with all those changes. Perhaps my review has bored you..... I promise if you love the game and the history of baseball, you won't want to put the book down.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Do you know Cy Young?, March 10, 2008

By	Jim (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cy Young: A Baseball Life (Paperback)

This book is for baseball fans. It answers the question of Who was Cy Young? Every year Major League Baseball gives an award in both leagues and I doubt that the vast majority of baseball fans can write two sentences about Cy Young. I found his accomplishments stunning in an era when pitchers started every third day, the good ones threw more than 400 innings a year and finished their own games.

Baseball was clearly not the game then that it is today. This tells how it has changed. For example, in Young's day, fans were called "cranks." I think this is an apt description of even today's fans! It was common to call the police to settle on-field arguments! Wow! Read this before the season starts if you are a fan. If you aren't a baseball fan...why not?

Jim

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent biography of a very respectable player, September 20, 2007

By	Bob Manson (Berkeley, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Cy Young: A Baseball Life (Paperback)

Cy Young spent most of his life in a small Ohio village. He left in 1890 to play baseball for the Cleveland Spiders, and returned in 1912 after racking up a truly impressive pitching career: 511 wins, pitched the first perfect game, won more than 30 games a season five times.

This modern biography (written in 2000) is equally impressive for focusing on his baseball career instead of making spurious accusations about his psychological makeup and personal life. It also gives an excellent historical background and explanation of the rule changes during the period, and touches on a few personal areas without going into excessive detail; his life from 1867-1890 and 1912-1955 is covered in just two chapters.

Of the six baseball biographies I've read recently it truly stands out. The author did a great job of explaining how baseball worked back then, both in terms of the game itself and the teams/managers--and, as you can imagine, professional baseball was more than a wee bit different in 1890 than it is today. He uses copious references and footnotes, and makes it clear when he's speculating rather than writing based on fact. (In particular we don't know for sure what player salaries were like during the time. He has a helpful appendix explaining his reasoning.)

If you have any interest in baseball history pre-1920, or are just curious, it's well worth reading. It's one of the best modern biographies I've read.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 16 customer reviews...

Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Baseball history
We are very interested in baseball's history, so this book is a welcome addtion to our library.

Published on October 21, 2007 by Rosemary T. Fadden

5.0 out of 5 stars The best baseball bio available
Reed Browning set the model for baseball bios, and it's too bad the scores of works that have come out since this volume have not been up to the mark set. Mr. Read more

Published on October 29, 2006 by Jonathan Brookner

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Job
Considering the lack of material, Mr. Browning does an excellent job recounting Cy Young's life. While he is forced to make a number of guesses, they are all well reasoned. Read more

Published on October 20, 2005 by Rob

4.0 out of 5 stars Descent read
Browning does a great job for the subject he had. I loved the amount of information. The research seems to show that Young was a nice guy to know, but he wasn't very entertaining... Read more

Published on October 8, 2005 by David M. Soltys

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Book
Cy Young was a great book. I learned a lot of baseball history. Thanks for writing this book Reed Browning.

Published on September 29, 2005

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, Great Author
Meticulously researched, and brilliantly realized, this is an excellent history of the early days of baseball, and a great account of Cy Young's career. Read more

Published on January 25, 2005 by Grant Alexander

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-researched and well written
It is a sheer joy to read a baseball biography as carefully and authoritatively done as is this excellent book. Read more

Published on October 16, 2003 by Schmerguls

4.0 out of 5 stars "Boring" book about an amazing "boring" pitcher
THis book really is pretty boring, I have been an ardent baseball fan for over 50 years.Denton T. Young was a very boring person. Read more

Published on July 21, 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars the greatest pitcher in the history of baseball--CY YOUNG!!!
CY YOUNG IS BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT THE GREATEST PITCHER IN BASEBALL HISTORY!TO THINK THAT HIS HIGHEST SALARY WAS ONLY $5,000! Read more

Published on July 14, 2002 by Alphonse Dattolo

5.0 out of 5 stars Old Cy Young
Considering that one of baseball's most prestigious awards was named after this man, it's astonishing that no comprehensive biography ever was written about him - until now... Read more

Published on May 11, 2002 by Mark W.

› See all 16 customer reviews...

.jsOffDisplayBlock { display: block; } .jsOffDisplayInline { display: inline; } .jsOffVisibility { visibility: visible; } .jsOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jsOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jsOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; } .jsOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jsOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jqOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jqOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jqOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; }

Customer Discussions

This product's forum

Discussion	Replies	Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight

Start a new discussion

Topic:

First post:

Receive e-mail when new posts are made

Prompts for sign-in

Guidelines

Active discussions in related forums

Discussion	Replies	Latest Post
history Holocaust Denial Dissected	3404	5 minutes ago
history Why does Holocaust Fabrication Exist?	235	1 hour ago
biography What book would you recommend for a good Ted Bundy biography?	6	4 hours ago
biography Hot new book on Ted Kennedy (Ted Kennedy: The Early Years)	0	7 hours ago
baseball "Let's Just Talk Baseball"	323	17 hours ago
sports Best High School Football Film Ever?????	4	6 days ago
sports The Greatest College footbal program of all time.	109	9 days ago