One of two companion volumes of biographies of the players, coaches, announcers, and others involved with the 1986 World Series, one on each team, the Mets and the Red Sox. One of the most dramatic World Series in baseball history, the 1986 series featured many more twists and turns than just "the Buckner gaffe." The Mets were a colorful group of characters including Keith Hernandez, Dwight Gooden, and Darryl Strawberry, and we examine each one.This book on the 1986 season re-tells the story of that year’s classic World Series. After four games, each team had won two away games and neither had won at home. Then the Red Sox won Game Five at Fenway, and were one game away from winning their first World Championship in 86 years. It came to the point they were one pitch away from baseball Nirvana.And then....Just about everyone knows what happened, but there are takes on it here you might not have read elsewhere. Mostly, this is the story of each of the players, coaches, managers, and broadcasters, their lives in baseball and the way the 1986 season fit into their lives.As with many of the books published by the Society of American Baseball Research, this was a true collaborative effort. There are 74 different SABR members who contributed to making these two books on the Mets and Red Sox a reality. It took us two books to tell the story as well as we wanted. Be sure to pick up the companion 1986 Boston Red Sox book for the rest of the story!Table of Contents:Rick Aguilera by Alan CohenRick Anderson by Joel RippelWally Backman by Nick WaddellBruce Berenyi by David E Skelton Gary Carter by Rory CostelloTim Corcoran by Leslie Heaphy  Ron Darling by Audrey Apfel Lenny Dykstra by Andy SturgillKevin Elster by Joel RippelSid Fernandez by Rory CostelloGeorge Foster by Cindy Thomson John Gibbons by Nick WaddellDwight Gooden by Lee KluckEd Hearn by Alan CohenDanny Heep by Mark SimonKeith Hernandez by Michael MartellStan Jefferson by Armand PetersonHoward Johnson by Dave RaglinRay Knight by Ralph Carhart Terry Leach by Jon Springer Ed Lynch by Jon SpringerBarry Lyons by Leslie HeaphyDave Magadan by Rory Costello Lee Mazzilli by Jon SpringerRoger McDowell by Jon SpringerJohn Mitchell by Skip NipperKevin Mitchell by Joe WanchoRandy Myers by Rich Puerzer Randy Niemann by David E Skelton Bob Ojeda by Alan Cohen Jesse Orosco by Rory CostelloRafael Santana by Leslie HeaphyDoug Sisk by Alan CohenDarryl Strawberry by Shawn Morri Tim Teufel by Rory CostelloMookie Wilson by Irv GoldfarbManager, Davey Johnson by Mark ArmourGeneral Manager, Frank Cashen by Mark Armour Scouting Director, Roland Johnson by Alan Cohen Coaches Buddy Harrelson by Eric AronVern Hoscheit by Jimmy KeenanGreg Pavlick by Leslie HeaphyBill Robinson by Alan CohenMel Stottlemyre by Gregory H Wolf Announcers Ralph Kiner by Warren CorbettTim McCarver by Dave Williams Fran Healy by Alan CohenRusty Staub by Norm KingSteve Zabriskie by Alan Raylesburg Seven 1986 Mets Games April 30, 1986 by Irv GoldfarbMay 27, 1986 by Gregory H Wolf July 11, 1986 by Gregory H WolfJuly 22, 1986 by Michael Huber September 4, 1986 — Mets/Red Sox exhibition game by Saul WisniaSeptember 17, 1986 by Gregory H WolfSeptember 28, 1986 by Jack Zerby291 The 1986 National League Championship Series by Rory CostelloThe 1986 World Series by Matthew SilvermanMike Sergio by Bill NowlinBy The Numbers by Dan FieldsHow the Mets Were Built by Rod Nelson

The 1986 New York Mets: There Was More Than Game Six (SABR Digital Library)

Sports & Outdoors

Heaphy, Leslie

Baseball

Society for American Baseball Research

The Los Angeles Angels and the "new" Washington Senators ushered in baseball's expansion in 1960, followed quickly by the Houston Colt .45s and the New York Mets. By 1998, ten additional franchises had been awarded with the Kansas City Royals, Seattle Pilots, Toronto Blue Jays, and Tampa Bay Devil Tays coming into the American League, and the Montreal Expos, San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies, Florida Marlins, and Arizona Diamondbacks to the National League. Since then, some of those teams have relocated or changed names, but TIME FOR EXPANSION BASEBALL tells the story of how each franchise was formed, built its team, and began play. Biographies of key players from each team's early years are also included, from early Angels like Eli Grba and Duke Maas to Senator Tom Sturdivant, from Seattle Pilots Tommy Harper and Lou Piniella to Seattle Mariners Julio Cruz and Rick Jones. Featuring a foreword by Tal Smith, who has done three separate stints in the Houston front office, and the contributions of 54 SABR members, TIME FOR EXPANSION BASEBALL also includes dozens of photos from team historical archives. CONTENTS: Which of the Expansion Franchises Had the Most Successful Draft?  Maxwell Kates Rickey’s Folly: How the Continental League Forced Baseball Expansion  Warren Corbett Mis-Management - The American League Expansion of 1960  Andy McCue and Eric Thompson LOS ANGELES ANGELS A Season in Homer Heaven: The Birth of the Los Angeles Angels  Warren Corbett Duke Maas by Andrew Sharp Ted Kluszewski by Paul Ladewski Eli Grba by Chuck Johnson WASHINGTON SENATORS The Washington Senators Begin A New Term Chris Jones Dale Long by Gregory H. Wolf Bobby Shantz by Mel Marmer Tom Sturdivant by Bill Nowlin  HOUSTON COLT .45s The Colt .45s and the Expansion Draft Stephen D. Boren and Eric Thompson Here Come the Colts by David E. Skelton Bob Aspromonte by Mark Wernick Eddie Bressoud by Bill Nowlin Bob Lillis by Paul Geisler NEW YORK METS “The Name is Mets -- Just Plain Mets”  Leslie Heaphy Choo Choo Coleman by David E. Skelton Gil Hodges by John Saccoman Hobie Landrith by Alan Cohen Expansion, Round Two: How Charlie Finley Blew Up Baseball  Warren Corbett  KANSAS CITY ROYALS Mr. K Brings Baseball Back to Kansas City Joseph Thompson Bob Oliver by John Struth Ellie Rodriguez by Steve Schmitt Hoyt Wilhelm by Mark Armour MONTREAL EXPOS “Les Expos Sont La” - The Expos Are Here Danny Gallagher Mack Jones by David E. Skelton Carl Morton by Tom Hawthorn Maury Wills by Glen Sparks SAN DIEGO PADRES It’s a Major League City or It Isn’t:  San Diego’s Padres Step Up to the Big Leagues  John W. Bauer Nate Colbert by Gregory H. Wolf Fred Kendall by Brian Geller Jerry Morales by Rick Bogovich SEATTLE PILOTS The Flight of the Seattle Pilots  Bill Mullins Tommy Harper by Bill Nowlin Marty Pattin by Rick Bogovich Lou Piniella by John DiFonzo SEATTLE MARINERS Major-League Baseball Returns to the Pacific Northwest  Steve Friedman Julio Cruz by Michael Marsh Rick Jones by Jeff Findley Dan Meyer by Paul Hofmann TORONTO BLUE JAYS The Birth of the Blue Jays  Maxwell Kates Bill Singer by Joel Rippel Pete Vuckovich by Dale Voiss Ernie Whitt by Bob LeMoine  COLORADO ROCKIES Welcome to the Time Zone with A Team Roger L. Kinney Brad Ausmus by Thomas L. Brown Joe Girardi by Mark Sternman Charlie Hayes by Rory Costello  FLORIDA MARLINS

Time for Expansion Baseball

Wolf, Gregory H.

Neyer, Rob

Corbett, Warren

Kates, Maxwell

Costello, Rory

Society for American Baseball Research (SABR)

Biographies and a season summary of the Negro League champion Philadelphia Stars\nIn 1934, Ed Bolden’s Philadelphia Stars joined the new Negro National League II (NNL2), which had been founded one year earlier. After fending off their intrastate-rivals, the Pittsburgh Crawfords, the Stars claimed the NNL2’s second-half championship and faced the first-half champions for the title. They defeated the Chicago American Giants to claim the NNL2 crown. 
Over two dozen SABR members researched the Stars’ history for this book, which includes biographies of as many of the team’s players as possible, even those who participated in only a single game. The 1934 Stars featured future Hall of Famers Raleigh “Biz” Mackey and Jud Wilson; stalwarts like Phil Cockrell, Webster McDonald, and Chaney White; shooting star Stewart “Slim” Jones; and temporary fill-ins like Frederick Coleman and Clifford “Whip” Irons. 
Majority owner Ed Bolden, a vital figure in the history of Philadelphia baseball, and minority owner/booking agent Eddie Gottlieb—who is better known to basketball fans—are both featured, as well, along with the history of the Stars’ home ballpark in 1934, Passon Field, named after another prominent local baseball entrepreneur. Also included is a complete season timeline, articles about select games such as the epic September 9 Satchel Paige-Slim Jones pitching duel at Yankee Stadium, and a comprehensive write-up of the NNL2 championship series complete this portrait of the 1934 title-winning team.

The Stars Shone on Philadelphia: The 1934 Negro National League Champions (Champions of Black Baseball)

Biographies & Memoirs

Bush, Frederick C.

Alpert, Rebecca T.

Bogovich, Richard

Gripshover, Margaret M.

Smith, Courtney Michelle

Hurd, Jay

Community & Culture

The 1939 Baltimore Elite Giants (Champions of Black Baseball)

Cieradkowski, Gary

Puerzer, Richard J.

The Newark Eagles won only one Negro National League pennant during the franchise's 15-year tenure in the Garden State, but the 1946 squad that ran away with the NNL and then triumphed over the Kansas City Monarchs in a seven-game World Series was a team for the ages. World War II had ended, and numerous players who had served in the military returned to resume their playing careers with the Eagles. The returning veterans composed a veritable "Who's Who in the Negro Leagues" and included Leon Day, Larry Doby, Monte Irvin, and Max Manning, as well as numerous role players. Four of the Eagles' stars-Day, Doby, Irvin, and player/manager Raleigh "Biz" Mackey, as well as co-owner Effa Manley-have been enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. This book, which was researched and written exclusively by more than 30 members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), presents not only the famous individuals, but also tells the tales of the other stars and the lesser-known players insofar as history allows them to be revealed. In addition to biographies of the players, co-owners, and P.A. announcer, there are also articles about Newark's Ruppert Stadium, Leon Day's Opening Day no-hitter, a sensational midseason game, the season's two East-West All-Star games, and the 1946 Negro League World Series between the Eagles and the renowned Kansas City Monarchs. A season timeline and a history of the Eagles' years in Newark help to present the entire context of the team and its lone championship season. Includes over 60 historic photos. Contents: 1.James Boyd by Frederick C. Bush2.Harry Butts by Margaret M. Gripshover3.Cecil Cole by Rich Bogovich4.Johnny Davis by Dave Wilkie5.Leon Day by Tom Kern6.Larry Doby by John McMurray7.Charles England by Margaret M. Gripshover8.William "Benny" Felder by Bryan Steverson and Frederick C. Bush9.Oscar Givens by Skip Nipper10.Vernon Harrison by Margaret M. Gripshover11.Bob Harvey by Jeb Stewart12.Fred Hobgood by Rich Bogovich13.Leniel Hooker by Tim Tassler and Frederick C. Bush14.Cal Irvin by Bryan Steverson15.Monte Irvin by Larry Hogan16.Clarence "Pint" Isreal by Bill Hickman17.Rufus Lewis by Michael Mattsey18.Raleigh "Biz" Mackey by Chris Rainey19.Biz Mackey and Japan by Bill Staples Jr.20.Maxwell Manning by Frederick C. Bush21.Charles Parks by Jay Hurd22.Andrew "Pat" Patterson by Bill Johnson23.Warren Peace by Bill Nowlin24.Lennie Pearson by Dan D'Addona25.Leon Ruffin by Paul Hofmann26.Murray "Skeeter" Watkins by Niall Adler27.Jimmy "Seabiscuit" Wilkes by Bob LeMoine28.Robert "Cotton" Williams by Ralph Carhart29.Abe Manley by Amy C. Essington30.Effa Manley by Amy C. Essington31.Sherman Maxwell by Leslie Heaphy32.Ruppert Stadium by Curt Smith33.1946 Newark Eagles Season Timeline by by Bill Nowlin34.May 5, 1946: Leon Day and Baseball's Other Opening Day No-hitter by Frederick C. Bush35.August 11, 1946: Leon's Terrific, Wonderful, Magnificent, Very Good Day by Bob LeMoine36.August 15, 1946: East-West All-Star Game 1, Griffith Stadium by Mark S. Sternman and Frederick C. Bush 37.August 18, 1946: East-West All-Star Game 2, Comiskey Park by Mark S. Sternman and Frederick C. Bush38.The 1946 World Series: Newark Eagles v. Kansas City Monarchs by Rich Puerzer39.The Newark Eagles: Swinging Away During Newark's Heyday by Bob Golon

The Newark Eagles Take Flight: The Story of the 1946 Negro League Champions (Champions of Black Baseball)

Smith, Curt

Johnson, William H.

Essington, Amy

Celebrate the 1969 Miracle Mets in this new, updated SABR edition of The Miracle Has Landed. Seven seasons after the Mets debuted with the most losses in modern baseball history, the franchise was still seen as a laughingstock, with 100-to-1 odds to win the World Series when 1969 began. The first year of divisional play started out as the Cubs' year, while most onlookers figured the Mets would be happy if they could play .500 ball. Tom Seaver's "Imperfect Game" against Chicago showed that the Mets could play with the big boys, but the Cubs still had a double-digit lead on the Mets in the middle of August. The Cubs stumbled, plagued by worn-out players, black cats, and bad luck, and magnificent Mets pitching turned the tide. The Miracle Has Landed celebrates the lovable Mets like no other book, complete with photos and artifacts of the time. A project of the Society for American Baseball Research, this volume gathers the collective efforts of more than thirty SABR members and features profiles of every player, coach, broadcaster, and significant front-office member connected to that great Mets squad. Included are biographies of the recently departed "Franchise" player, Tom Seaver, and Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, beloved manager Gil Hodges, the talented outfield of Cleon Jones, Tommie Agee, and Ron Swoboda, drill sergeant backstop Jerry Grote, crucial mid-season acquisition Donn Clendenon, scrappy shortstop Bud Harrelson, and a pitching staff that went far deeper than just Seaver and Ryan. More than fifty years later the Miracle Mets are still revered, the first world champion expansion team and the club that stole New York's heart.

The Miracle Has Landed: The Amazin' Story of How the 1969 Mets Shocked the World

Silverman, Matthew

Goldfarb, Irv

Vorperian, John

Hoyt, Edward

Krieger, Tara

Simon, Mark

Babe Ruth thrilled baseball fans with his tremendous home-run swing. He made friends—and some enemies—with his loud, larger-than-life personality. The list of books about Ruth could fill a few bookshelves. Most recently, SABR awarded the prestigious Seymour Medal to Jane Leavy for her 2018 biography entitled The Big Fella, and she contributes the introduction to this book we call THE BABE.A baseball book published under that title is quite naturally about the great slugger for the New York Yankees, who led the American League in home runs 12 times and lived life large during the Jazz Age.This book includes the contributions of over 50 SABR members: 30 articles, plus accounts of 50 notable games from The Babe’s career. He hit tape-measure long balls, fought with managers, won more than 90 games as a pitcher, and gave time and money to children’s charities.In no way is this an exhaustive last word on Babe Ruth. That might be an impossible chore. We do believe this book will help readers get a fuller picture of baseball’s most fabled figure, a man still famous today and still revered in the game he loved. Introduction, Jane Leavy1. George Herman “Babe” Ruth, Allan Wood2. Babe – A Baseball Nickname, Bill Nowlin3. How "Ruthian" Was Babe Ruth?, Mike Huber4. Cool Babe Ruth Facts, Allan Wood5. The Home Runs That Changed Everything, Hot Springs Historic Baseball Trail Research Team: Mark Blaeuer, Mike Dugan, Don Duren, Bill Jenkinson, and Tim Reid6. Showdown: Babe Ruth's Rebellious Barnstorming Tour, T S Flynn7. Babe Ruth in Minnesota, Stew Thornley8. Babe Ruth Visits Louisville, Harry Rothgerber9. The Babe Comes North, David McDonald10. The Babe's Canadian Connections, David McDonald11. Babe Ruth and Baseball Diplomacy, Robert K. Fitts12. Cigars, Horses, and A Couple of Homers: The Bambino’s Experience in Cuba, Reynaldo Cruz and Bill Nowlin13. Babe Ruth and Cricket, Glen Sparks14. Sale of the Century: The Yankees Bought Babe Ruth for Nothing, Michael Haupert15. The Mystery of Jackie Mitchell and Babe Ruth, Leslie Heaphy16. Babe Ruth & Lou Gehrig, Tara Krieger17. Babe Ruth and Ownership: Not A Match Made in Heaven, Gary Sarnoff18. Babe Ruth and the Boston Braves before Opening Day 1935, Carolyn Fuchs and Wayne Soini, with Herb Crehan19. Babe Ruth’s National League “Career” 28 Games with the 1935 Boston Braves, Saul Wisnia20. U. S. Presidents and The Babe, Curt Smith21. The Babe: In Person and Onscreen, Rob Edelman22. Babe Ruth Characterizations – and Caricatures, Rob Edelman23. To the Rescue: Brother Matthias, Brian (Chip) Martin24. Babe Ruth: A Man of Simple Faith, Gabriel B. Costa25. Babe Ruth's Final Legacy to the Kids, Alan Cohen26. The Babe's Final Personal Appearance, Steve Smith27. Even Against HOF Hurlers, Ruth Was King of Swing, Ed Gruver28. The Babe as a Pitcher, Pete Palmer29. Babe Ruth Stealing Home, Bill Nowlin30. 715, Allan WoodBALLGAMES31. July 11, 1914: Babe Ruth Debuts, Joe Schuster32. October 2, 1914: A Sign of So Many Swats to Come, Mark S. Sternman 33. May 6, 1915: Ruth's First Career Home Run, Mike Huber34. May 20, 1916: Ruth Replaced While Throwing No-Hitter, Bill Nowlin35. June 13, 1916: Red-Hot Ruth vs the Browns, James Forr, 36. August 15, 1916: Ruth Outlasts Johnson, Jack Zerby, 37. October 9, 1916: Red Sox Win Game Two on a Loaned Diamond, Cecilia M. Tan and Bill Nowlin38. May 6, 1918: First Start As A Position Player, Glen Sparks 39. September 5, 1918: Babe Ruth Tosses Shutout, Mike Huber40. April 18, 1919: Six Home Runs in Six At-Bats, Jimmy KeenanAnd over 40 more!

The Babe (SABR All Stars)

History

THORNLEY, STEW

Huber, Mike

COHEN, ALAN

Nowlin, Bill

Levin, Len

Reichers, Carl

Americas

The 1935 Pittsburgh Crawfords team, one of the dominant teams in Negro League history, is often compared to the legendary 1927 “Murderer’s Row” New York Yankees. The squad from “Smoketown”—a nickname that the Pittsburgh Courier often applied to the metropolis better-known as “Steel City”—boasted four Hall-of-Fame players in outfielder James “Cool Papa” Bell, first baseman/manager Oscar Charleston, catcher Josh Gibson, and third baseman William “Judy” Johnson. The team also included such stalwarts as Sam Bankhead, William Bell, Jimmie Crutchfield, Andrew “Pat” Patterson, Leroy Matlock, and Sam Streeter. With a roster full of such illustrious stars, it is easy to see why the Crawfords were dominant. Nonethless, the team unexpectedly had to scratch and claw its way to the Negro National League pennant by defeating the New York Cubans in a thrilling seven-game championship series.This book includes articles on the players from the 1935 squad, as well as one who was absent. The Crawfords might have dispatched the Cubans more easily had they retained the services of pitcher Satchel Paige, a fifth Hall of Famer who had been a member of their 1934 squad. However, Paige and Crawfords owner Gus Greenlee were at odds and Paige shunned the Crawfords in 1935, although his shadow still loomed large over the Pittsburgh franchise. In light of Paige’s prominence and the fact that he had been expected to pitch for the Crawfords, a feature article about his accomplishments in 1935 and a game article about his failure to appear for game at Yankee Stadium in September of that year also are included here.This volume contains exhaustively-researched articles about the players, front office personnel, Greenlee Field, and the exciting games and history of the team that were written and edited by 25 SABR members. The inclusion of historical photos about every subject in the book helps to shine a spotlight on the 1935 Pittsburgh Crawfords, who truly were the Pride of Smoketown.Biographies:SAM BANKHEAD by Dave WilkieJAMES (COOL PAPA) BELL by Dave WilkieWILLIAM BELL by Kevin Larkin and Frederick C. BushTED BOND by Richard BogovichERNEST “SPOON” CARTER by Frederick C. BushOSCAR CHARLESTON, PLAYER-MANAGER by Tim OdzerJIMMIE CRUTCHFIELD by William H. JohnsonROOSEVELT DAVIS by Jay HurdJOSH GIBSON by William H. JohnsonCURTIS “POPEYE” HARRIS by Wes SingletaryDAVID WILLIAM “BILL” HARVEY by Matthew CleverCARL HOWARD by Richard BogovichHOW WE HAPPENED UPON HOWARD: UNEXPECTED COLLABORATION LEADS TO INFORMATION ABOUT LITTLE-KNOWN NEGRO LEAGUE PITCHER by F.B., R.B., B.N.BERTRUM HUNTER by Paul HofmannWILLIAM “JUDY” JOHNSON by Thomas KernHARRY KINCANNON by Margaret M. GripshoverLEROY MATLOCK by Richard BogovichCLARENCE “SPOONY” PALM by Jon HensonANDREW “PAT” PATTERSON by William H. JohnsonBILL PERKINS by Bob LeMoineSAM STREETER by Alan CohenCHESTER WILLIAMS by David WilkieGUS GREENLEE, OWNER by Brian McKennaROY SPARROW, PUBLICITY MAN by Margaret M. GripshoverGREENLEE FIELD by Jeb StewartA NOTE ON ADDITIONAL PLAYERS WHO SOMETIMES APPEAR ON PITTSBURGH’S 1935 ROSTER by Frederick C. BushSPRING TRAINING FOR THE 1935 PITTSBURGH CRAWFORDS by Mark Blaeuer1935 PITTSBURGH CRAWFORDS SEASON TIMELINE by Bill NowlinAUGUST 11, 1935:THE EAST-WEST ALL-STAR GAME, COMISKEY PARK by Frederick C. BushSEPTEMBER 22, 1935: PAIGE TAKES THE MONEY BUT NOT THE MOUND IN 12-2 WIN OVER PHILADELPHIA STARS, YANKEE STADIUM by Mark S. SternmanTHE 1935 NEGRO NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: PITTSBURGH CRAWFORDS V. NEW YORK CUBANS by Rich PuerzerGUS GREENLEE AND THE CRAWFORD GRILLS by Leslie HeaphyGUS GREENLEE AND THE EAST-WEST ALL-STAR GAME:ORIGINS AND CONFLICT (1932-1944) by Duke GoldmanWHERE WAS SATCHEL IN 1935? PAIGE AND GREENLEE FEUDED AS CRAWFORDS RULED THE NNL by Frederick C. BushKINGS OF THE HILL:THE STORY OF THE PITTSBURGH CRAWFORDS by Jeremy Beer

Pride of Smoketown: The 1935 Pittsburgh Crawfords (Champions of Black Baseball)

Beer, Jeremy

Wilkie, Dave

Puerzer, Rich

Singletary, Wes

“It’s so important to have all of [this] information accessible to everybody. The more information that can be made available and the more visible that we can make it the better. It's the history of the whole game, not just part of it. People are finally going to get to see both sides of the story and get to understand that the Negro Leagues were very, very important, the players were very important and, most importantly, they brought the community together with a common love.” 
—Adam Jones, 14 year MLB veteran 
“We are thrilled that MLB has finally acknowledged what we already knew to be true—that the Negro Leagues were indeed major league. We are particularly happy that the numbers of these legendary players will become a part of the official record and, undoubtedly, people will become more curious about these players’ stories.” 
—Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum 
The Negro Leagues are Major Leagues is a unique introduction to the history of the segregation of professional baseball, telling the story of the Negro Leagues while simultaneously recounting how researchers, statisticians, and historians rebuilt and rediscovered the history of Black baseball that was pushed into obscurity in the wake of Jackie Robinson and integration. Recent examinations of the partially rebuilt statistical record led scholars, notably Todd Peterson, to call for the Negro Leagues to be recognized as major leagues, alongside other historical professional major leagues such as the Federal League and the Union Association. In December 2020, Major League Baseball itself declared its recognition of the Negro Leagues as major leagues, and the work to integrate the statistics compiled by Gary Ashwill and the Seamheads Negro Leagues Database into stats site Baseball-Reference.com began. 
To accompany the launch of the newly revamped, integrated site, Baseball Reference commissioned a set of articles to introduce Negro League history and the effort to rebuild the fragmented record of that history to a new audience. Supplemented here with additional articles on Black baseball from the SABR archives, the articles in this book represent multiple groups of pioneers. The contributors include descendants of Negro Leaguers, a major leaguer, and past and present giants in the field of Negro Leagues research. Larry Lester sits alongside 14-year major league veteran Adam Jones, Sean Gibson—the great-grandson of Josh Gibson and director of the Gibson Foundation—joins Vanessa Ivy Rose, the grandaughter of Turkey Stearnes, and Bob Kendrick, the president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Jules Tygiel and Jerry Malloy share pages with Todd Peterson, Gary Ashwill, Leslie Heaphy, Adrian Burgos, Jr., and many more.

The Negro Leagues are Major Leagues: Essays and Research for Overdue Recognition (Champions of Black Baseball)

Jones, Adam

Gillette, Gary

Lester, Larry

Posnanski, Joe

Burgos Jr., Adrian

Forman, Sean

Gibson, Sean

Peterson, Todd

Product Description Few athletes have sparked the creative imaginations of artists more than Jackie Robinson. His presence can be seen in cinema, on television and on stages, big and small; even tucked within the pages of written fiction. As we approach the seventy-fifth anniversary of Robinson’s integration of the Dodgers, he continues to inspire, including a recent appearance in the premiere episode of HBO’s groundbreaking Lovecraft Country.Robinson’s tale serves as such ripe material for creatives because of how singular and inspiring it is. Over time, those creative representations have shaped the story of Jackie Robinson, taking him beyond his true, complicated personhood and elevating him to an inspirational symbol. The only other American athlete to ascend to the level of folklore is Babe Ruth, a son of immigrants whose “rags to riches” journey resonated with the hopes of early twentieth century Americans. Robinson’s tale, by contrast, embodies American society’s post-war aspirations for itself and the conflicts that would shape it, including the fight for civil rights and roles that education, athletics, the military, and professional sports played in racial integration.Not an Easy Tale to Tell looks at the stories behind the stories that have shaped the way we think about Jackie Robinson. Not only does it separate the fact from fiction, but it looks at why that fiction was created. It also posits the idea that sometimes the fiction is just as important. Contributors to this volume examine Robinson’s portrayals in Hollywood movies, children’s books, musicals and plays, and documentaries.Artists keep returning to Robinson because he is one of the most inspirational figures of the twentieth century not in spite of, but because of his complexities. He did more than change the game of baseball—he changed America. By doing so, he inspired multiple generations of artists to look to him to help them tell their stories. In utilizing Robinson as a symbol, they invariably highlight, time and again, how his actual story is not an easy tale to tell. About the Author Ralph Carhart is the author of The Hall Ball: One Fan's Journey to Unite Cooperstown Immortals with a Single Baseball [McFarland 2020], and the creator of the eponymous artifact that visited with every member of the Hall of Fame, living and deceased. With Not an Easy Tale to Tell, Ralph has contributed to six SABR volumes. His latest effort for SABR was the biography of Rachel Robinson, which appeared in 2021's Jackie: Perspectives on 42. He is currently writing a history of Brooklyn, dating back to the Lenape Indians, as told through the lens of baseball.

Not an Easy Tale to Tell: Jackie Robinson on the Page, Stage, and Screen (SABR All Stars)

Hamilton, Sharon

Robinson, Sharon

Carhart, Ralph

Ellington Jr., Patrick

Berenbak, Adam

Arts & Literature

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