Customer Reviews

The fabulous Montreal Royals - the team that made baseball history

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The city of Montreal is famous for more than the Canadiens hockey team and smoked meat: in 1946 the city was home to Jackie Robinson while he played for the city's International League club, the Royals. William Brown's book covers the history of the Royals from their early Eastern League years in the 1890s through to their end in 1960. While typical of the popular-history genre, the book is exceptionally well researched and informative.
Brown's story of the Royals is enhanced by photographs of the long-gone Atwater Park and Delorimier Downs stadiums that hosted the team. His story is further enhanced by the insights of people who saw or partook in Royals games.
Ken Singleton's foreword underlines Robinson as the central figure not only to this book, but the history of blacks in baseball. Understandably, then, Robinson's exploits as a Royal are central to the book: he graces the cover and merits an entire chapter of his own.

Readers will note with intrigue the number of other baseball legends who passed through Montreal as part of the Royals: Managers George Stallings, Ed Barrow, Rabbit Maranville; and players Robinson, Roy Campanella, Don Newcombe, Tommy Lassorda; even Roberto Clemente suited up for the team. The book is a light read sure to entertain baseball fans young and old alike. It is well worth buying.

My husband, Humberto "Chico" Fernandez, was a Shortstop for the Montreal Royals prior to his rookie year with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He loved this book! It brought back so many memories of old ballplayer friends. An absolutely wonderful read for any baseball lover.
Written well and photos are great!

William Brown's history of the Montreal Royals is a must read for anyone with a love of baseball. I had been searching for information on the story of this organization since my father told me about the Royals that he followed growing up 6 blocks from Delormier Downs in Montreal's East End in the 40's and 50's.
Mr. Brown's tells the history of professional baseball in Montreal from its beginnings in the 1890's up until the Royals demise in 1960. As the #1 farm team for the Brooklyn Dodgers many future stars passed through Montreal on their way to the major leagues including Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella and Duke Snider to name a few and William Brown has told their story from a fans perspective. The book includes numerous photos drawn from his personal collection in addition to the archival sources. I highly recommend this facinating bit of baseball history.