"You talk about destiny, well, you can't rule that out. We were hard-nosed and that showed up in 1957." -- Braves catcher Del Crandall to editor Gregory H. Wolf Few teams in baseball history have captured the hearts of their fans like the Milwaukee Braves of the 1950. During the Braves' 13-year tenure in Milwaukee (1953-1965), they had a winning record every season, won two consecutive NL pennants (1957 and 1958), lost two more in the final week of the season (1956 and 1959), and set big-league attendance records along the way. This book celebrates the Milwaukee Braves' historic 1957 World Series championship season. Led by the bats of National League Most Valuable Player Henry Aaron and slugging third baseman Eddie Mathews and the "Big Three" pitching trio (Cy Young Award winner Warren Spahn, Lew Burdette, and Bob Buhl) the Braves won 95 games. The team enjoyed standout seasons by shortstop Johnny Logan, outfielder Wes Covington, and catcher Del Crandall And GM John Quinn pulled off the biggest trade of the summer, acquiring All-Star second baseman Red Schoendienst from the New York Giants. The Braves cemented their place in history by defeating the New York Yankees in the World Series. In one of the greatest performances in the history of the fall classic, crafty Lew Burdette tossed his second consecutive shutout (and third complete game) to defeat the Bronx Bombers in Game Seven, in Yankee Stadium. A collaborative effort of 32 members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), Thar's Joy in Braveland! The 1957 Milwaukee Braves portrays that memorable team with life stories of all of the roster players, the manager and coaching staff, the owner, the general manager, and sportswriters and radio announcers. Summaries of the regular season and World Series re-create the magic of that unforgettable season. Table of Contents: Introduction:The Milwaukee Braves Make History by Gregory H Wolf From Yawkey to Milwaukee: Lou Perini Makes his Move by Saul Wisnia THE BRAVES Henry “Hank” Aaron by William Johnson Joe Adcock by Gregory H Wolf Bill Bruton by John Harry Stahl Bob Buhl by Gregory H Wolf Lew Burdette by Alex Kupfer Dick Cole by Doug Engleman Gene Conley by John R Husman Wes Covington by Andy Sturgill Del Crandall by Gregory H Wolf Ray Crone by Gregory H Wolf John DeMerit by Steven Schmitt Harry Hanebrink by Andy Sturgill Bob Hazle by Nancy Snell Griffith Joey Jay by Joe Wancho Ernie Johnson by Dana Sprague Dave Jolly by Chip Greene Nippy Jones by Dan Fields Johnny Logan by Bob Buege Bobby Malkmus by Gregory H Wolf Felix Mantilla by Rick Schabowski Eddie Mathews by David Fleitz Don McMahon by John Vorperian Red Murff by Michael J Bielawa Danny O’Connell by Mel Marmer Andy Pafko by Dale Voiss Phil Paine by Chip Greene Taylor Phillips by Rick Schabowski Juan Pizarro by Rory Costello Del Rice by Norm King Mel Roach by David Fleitz Carl Sawatski by Gregory H Wolf Red Schoendienst by Kristen Lokemoen Ray Shearer by William Johnson Warren Spahn by Jim Kaplan Chuck Tanner by Dan Fields Hawk Taylor by Steven Schmitt Bobby Thomson by Jeff Findley Frank Torre by Norm King Bob Trowbridge by Nancy Snell Griffith THE MANAGER Fred Haney by Jim Gordon THE COACHES Bob Keely by Gregory H Wolf Johnny Riddle by Nancy Snell Griffith Charlie Root by Gregory H Wolf Connie Ryan by John McMurray GENERAL MANAGER John Quinn by Rory Costello County Stadium by Gregg Hoffmann Jane Jarvis by Rory Costello THE SPORTSWRITERS Headlines and Deadlines: Wordsmiths of the Braves by Bob Buege

Thar's Joy in Braveland: The 1957 Milwaukee Braves (Sabr Digital Library)

Wolf, Gregory H.

Biographies & Memoirs

Society for American Baseball Research

The 1934 St. Louis Cardinals were one of the most colorful crews ever to play the National Pastime. Sportswriters delighted in assigning nicknames to the players, based on their real or imagined qualities. What a cast of characters it was! None was more picturesque than Pepper Martin, the “Wild Horse of the Osage,” who ran the bases with reckless abandon, led his teammates in off thefield hijinks, and organized a hillbilly band called the Mississippi Mudcats. He was quite a baseball player, the star of the 1931 World Series and a significant contributor to the 1934 championship. The harmonica player for the Mudcats was the irrepressible Dizzy Dean. Full of braggadocio, Dean delivered on his boasts by winning 30 games in 1934, the last National League hurler to achieve that feat. Dizzy and his brother Paul accounted for all of the Cardinal victories in the 1934 World Series. Some writers tried to pin the moniker Daffy on Paul, but that name didn’t fit the younger and much quieter brother. The club’s hitters were led by the New Jersey strong boy, Joe “Ducky” Medwick, who hated the nickname, preferring to be called “Muscles.” Presiding over this aggregation was the “Fordham Flash,” Frankie Frisch. Rounding out the club were worthies bearing such nicknames as Ripper, “Leo the Lip,” Spud, Kiddo, Pop, Dazzy, Ol’ Stubblebeard, Wild Bill, Buster, Chick, Red, and Tex. Some of these were aging stars, past their prime, and others were youngsters, on their way up. Together they comprised a championship ball club. “The Gas House Gang was the greatest baseball club I ever saw. They thought they could beat any ballclub and they just about could too. When they got on that ballfield, they played baseball, and they played it to the hilt too. When they slid, they slid hard. There was no good fellowship between them and the opposition. They were just good, tough ballplayers.” — Cardinals infielder Burgess Whitehead on "When It Was A Game," HBO Sports, 1991 Introductory Articles Brief History of the pre-1934 Cardinals by Parker J. Bena Assembling the Team by John J. Watkins Sportsman’s Park by Scott Ferkovich St. Louis in 1934 by Eric Aron 1934 St. Louis Cardinals Season Timeline The Cardinals in the 1934 Pennant Race by Charles F. Faber The 1934 World Series by Matthew Silverman The Players Tex Carleton by Gregory H. Wolf Ripper Collins by Cort Vitty Pat Crawford by Gregory H. Wolf Kiddo Davis by Don Harrison Spud Davis by Andy Sturgill Dizzy Dean by Joseph Wancho Paul Dean by Paul Geisler Bill DeLancey by Thomas Ayers Leo Durocher by Jeffrey Marlett Frankie Frisch by Fred Stein Chick Fullis by Jack Morris Burleigh Grimes by Charles F. Faber Jesse Haines by Gregory H. Wolf Bill Hallahan by Gregory H. Wolf Francis Healy by Greg Erion Clarence Heise by J.G. Preston Jim Lindsey by Alan Cohen Pepper Martin by Norm King Joe Medwick by Charles F. Faber Buster Mills by Bill Nowlin Jim Mooney by Charlie Weatherly and Gregory H. Wolf Gene Moore by Greg Erion Ernie Orsatti by Lawrence Baldassaro Flint Rhem by Nancy Snell Griffith Lew Riggs by Bob Webster Jack Rothrock by Bill Nowlin Dazzy Vance by Charles F. Faber Bill Walker by Gregory H. Wolf Burgess Whitehead by C. Paul Rogers III Jim Winford by Clayton J. Trutor Red Worthington by Jimmy Keenan Executives Sam Breadon by Mark Armour Bill DeWitt by Dwayne Isgrig Branch Rickey by Andy McCue Coaches Mike Gonzalez by Joseph Girard Buzzy Wares by Charles F. Faber

The 1934 St. Louis Cardinals: The World Champion Gas House Gang (The SABR Digital Library)

Sports & Outdoors

Armour, Mark

Faber, Charles F.

Vitty, Cort

Morris, Jack

Griffith, Nancy Snell

Baseball

“The best team I ever played on was McCarthy’s twenty-niners. It was strictly power all the way. No tricky baseball.” —Cubs first baseman Charlie Grimm This book celebrates the 1929 Chicago Cubs, one of the most exciting teams in baseball history. Bashing their way to the pennant by crushing their opponents in a high-scoring era, skipper Joe McCarthy’s North Siders were an offensive juggernaut, leading the majors with 982 runs scored. Future Hall of Famers Hack Wilson, ’29 NL MVP Rogers Hornsby, and Kiki Cuyler, along with Riggs Stephenson formed one of the most potent quartets in baseball history, collectively scoring 493 runs and knocking in 520. As awe-inspiring as the Cubs offense was, their pitching was almost as good. Charlie Root, Guy Bush, and Pat Malone anchored a staff that finished second in team ERA and led the league in shutouts. The Cubs’ magical season came to an ignominious conclusion when they faced Connie Mack’s Philadelphia Athletics in the World Series. Long before the “lovable loser” moniker was attached to the Cubs, Chicago’s crushing defeat in five games helped craft the narrative of fateful losses. The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) invites you to read the life and baseball stories of all the roster players and the coaching staff and relive an important part of baseball history. Also included are biographies of club owner William Wrigley, visionary executive Bill Veeck, Sr., and Margaret Donahue, the first female executive in baseball history. A summary of the regular season and World Series, as well as essays on the 1929 Athletics, Wrigley Field, Catalina Island, and fate of the Cubs after 1929 round out this volume. With contributions from 26 members of the SABR BioProject, this book is a riveting account of one of the most memorable teams in Chicago sports history. Introduction by Gregory H. Wolf THE OWNER William Wrigley, Jr. by David Fletcher and George Castle THE CUBS Tom Angley by Jack Morris Clyde Beck by Norm King Footsie Blair by Norm King Sheriff Blake by Gregory H. Wolf Guy Bush by Gregory H. Wolf Hal Carlson by Ernie Fuhr Kiki Cuyler by Gregory H. Wolf Mike Cvengros by Chip Greene Woody English by Dan Fields Mike González by Joseph Gerard Earl Grace by Greg Erion Hank Grampp by Peter Morris Charlie Grimm by Dan Fields Gabby Hartnett by William H. Johnson Cliff Heathcote by William H. Johnson Trader Horne by Dan Fields Rogers Hornsby by C. Paul Rogers Claude Jonnard by William H. Johnson Pat Malone by Gregory H. Wolf Norm McMillan by Bill Nowlin Johnny Moore by C. Paul Rogers Art Nehf by Gregory H. Wolf Bob Osborn by Nancy Snell Griffith Ken Penner by Chip Greene Charlie Root by Gregory H. Wolf Johnny Schulte by James Lincoln Ray Riggs Stephenson by Gregory H. Wolf Danny Taylor by Nancy Snell Griffith Zack Taylor by Norm King Chick Tolson by Chip Greene Hack Wilson by Thomas E. Schott THE MANAGER Joe McCarthy by John McMurray THE COACHES Jimmy Burke by Gary Livacari Mickey Doolan by Paul Mittermeyer Grover Land by Gary Livacari FRONT OFFICE Bill Veeck, Sr. by David Fletcher and George Castle 200 Margaret Donahue by David Fletcher and George Castle Wrigley Field by Scott Ferkovich Catalina Island by Zachary Michael Jack THE SPORTSWRITERS Ed Burns by Chip Greene Irving Vaughan by Chip Greene RADIO ANNOUNCER Bob Elson by Fred Taylor SEASON SUMMARY The 1929 Chicago Cubs Regular Season Summary by Gregory H. Wolf HIGHLIGHTS AT WRIGLEY FIELD IN 1929 Full Game Summaries by Gregory H. Wolf June 9: Art Nehf and Ben Cantwell hurl four-hitters

Winning on the North Side: The 1929 Chicago Cubs (The SABR Digital Library)

This volume celebrates the 1965 Minnesota Twins, who captured the American League pennant in just their fifth season in the Twin Cities. Led by an All-Star cast, from Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, Zoilo Versalles, and Mudcat Grant to Bob Allison, Jim Kaat, Earl Battey, and Jim Perry, the Twins won 102 games, but bowed to the Los Angeles Dodgers and a herculean performance by Sandy Koufax in Game Seven of the World Series.  Included are the life and baseball stories of all 35 roster players, the coaches, and manager of the 1965 Twins, plus team owner Calvin Griffith; broadcasters Herb Carneal, Halsey Hall, and Ray Scott; and sportswriters Dick Gordon and Max Nichols. A comprehensive summary of the regular season, as well as meticulous essays highlighting important games and the All-Star Game played in Minnesota, an overview of the 1965 Dodgers, and thorough summaries the World Series games are included. Chapters about how the Griffith family built its pennant winner, the fate of the Twins after 1965, Metropolitan Stadium, and the 1965 season “by the numbers” round out the book.  Members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) researched and wrote all of the biographies and essays in this book.   Contents: Calvin Griffith by Kevin Hennessy The Last of the Family Owners: The Griffiths Build Their Lone Minnesota Pennant Winner by Daniel R. Levitt and Mark L. Armour Metropolitan Stadium by Stew Thornley Spring Training by Stew Thornley The 1965 Minnesota Twins Regular Season Summary by Ben Klein Bernie Allen by Chip Greene Bob Allison by Gregory H. Wolf Earl Battey by Jack Herrman Dave Boswell by Gregory H. Wolf April 12, 1965: Twins Win in Extra Innings on Opening Day by Steve West Pete Cimino by Jeff English Jerry Fosnow by Greg Erion Mudcat Grant by Joseph Wancho May 12, 1965: Killebrew Belts Two Homers, Including Game-Winner In Eighth Inning by Gregory H. Wolf Jimmie Hall by Norm King Jim Kaat by Patrick Lethert Harmon Killebrew by Joseph Wancho May 26, 1965: Jim Perry Makes Most of His Opportunity by Joel Rippel Jerry Kindall by Tom Tomashek Johnny Klippstein by Gregory H. Wolf Andy Kosco by Norm King July 11, 1965: The Killer Clouts Walk-Off Two-Run Round-Tripper by Gregory H. Wolf Frank Kostro by J.G. Preston Jim Merritt by Gregory H. Wolf Don Mincher by Marc Z. Aaron Mel Nelson by Doug Skipper Minnesota and 1965 All-Star Game: The Senior Circuit Takes Charge by Greg Erion Joe Nossek by Rick Schabowski Tony Oliva by Peter C. Bjarkman Camilo Pascual by Peter C. Bjarkman Jim Perry by Joseph Wancho Bill Pleis by Joel Rippel September 8 and 9, 1965: The Chicago Showdown: The Twins Take Two at Comiskey Park by Steve Schmitt Frank Quilici by Norm King Rich Reese by Chip Greene Garry Roggenburk by Mark Armour Rich Rollins by Rick Schabowski John Sevcik by John Swol September 25, 1965: “Clinching a Tie is to Beer What Winning the Championship is to Champagne” by Alan Cohen Dwight Siebler by Gregory H. Wolf Dick Stigman by Tom Tomashek Cesar Tovar by Rory Costello Ted Uhlaender by Joseph Wancho Sandy Valdespino by Alan Cohen Zoilo Versalles by Peter C. Bjarkman September 26, 1965: A Pennant for the Twins by Alan Cohen Al Worthington by Bill Nowlin Jerry Zimmerman by Norm King Sam Mele by Bill Nowlin Jim Lemon by Gregory H. Wolf Billy Martin by Jimmy Keenan and Frank Russo Hal Naragon by Tracy J.R. Collins Johnny Sain by Jan Finkel Herb Carneal by Stew Thornley Halsey Hall by Stew Thornley Ray Scott by Stew Thornley Dick Gordon by Steve West Max Nichols by Steve West The 1965 Los Angeles Dodgers by Greg Erion The 1965 World Series Summary by Norm King By the Numbers: Major League Baseball in 1965 by Dan Fields A Surprising Disappointment: Twins of the Late 1960s by Daniel R. Levitt

A Pennant for the Twin Cities: The 1965 Minnesota Twins (Sabr Digital Library)

This book rekindles memories of Milwaukee’s County Stadium through detailed summaries of 72 games played there, and insightful feature essays about the history of the ballpark. The process to select games was agonizing, yet deliberate. The book could have easily been filled with memorable games by just Hank Aaron or Warren Spahn. About half of the games are dedicated to the Braves; the other half to the Brewers. Some of the summaries chronicle games that were memorable and historic when they occurred, such as Jim Wilson tossing the first no-hitter in County Stadium in 1954, the 1955 All-Star Game, the World Series contests of 1957, 1958, and 1982, and Robin Yount collecting his 3,000th hit in 1992. Other summaries recall great performances long forgotten, such as Bob Buhl’s 14-inning complete-game victory in 1953 and the Brewers’ two grand slams in one inning in an 18-1 rout of the Boston Red Sox in 1980. The games highlight the accomplishments and heroics of not just readily recognizable stars, like Aaron, Spahn, Eddie Mathews, Cecil Cooper, Paul Molitor, and Yount, but also revive memories of players like Gene Conley, Del Crandall, and Wade Blasingame of the Braves and Bob Coluccio, Dale Sveum, and Steve Woodard of the Brewers. Also included are great performances by the Braves’ and Brewers’ opponents, like Willie Mays’ four homers in 1961 and Nolan Ryan’s 300th victory in 1990. Twelve feature essays round out the volume and provide context for the stadium’s history. Topics include the stadium’s construction, the Braves’ move to and departure from Milwaukee, the Chicago White Sox’ home games at County Stadium, the Seattle Pilots’ relocation to Milwaukee, and the stadium’s demolition. Members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) researched and wrote all of the essays in this volume. These uncompensated volunteers are united by their shared interest in baseball history and resolute commitment to preserving its history. Without their unwavering dedication this volume would not have been possible. With contributions by Alan Cohen, Bill Nowlin, Bob Buege, Brian P. Wood, Chip Greene, Dan Fields, Dennis D. Degenhardt, Dennis Van Langen, Doug Welch, Frederick C. Bush, Greg Erion, Gregg Hoffmann, Gregory H. Wolf, J.G. Preston, Jeff Findley, Joe Schuster, Joel Rippel, John Bauer, John Bauer, Joseph Wancho, Lee Kluck, Mark Miller, Mark Pestana, Mark S. Sternman, Mike Huber, Mike Lynch, Norm King, Phillip Bolda, Richard “Dixie” Tourangeau, Richard Riis, Rick Schabowski, Robert C. Trumpbour, Ron Briley, Saul Wisnia, Scott Ferkovich, Stephen D. Boren, Steve West, Steven Kuehl, Stew Thornley, Tom Mason, and Tom Rathkamp.

From the Braves to the Brewers: Great Games and Exciting History at Milwaukee’s County Stadium (Sabr Digital Library)

Recaps of the greatest baseball games ever played in the "eighth wonder of the world," the Astrodome, along with information about Astros history and the building of the Dome. Some of the games and chapters included: September 13, 1965: Mays Clouts Number 500, GREGORY H. WOLF August 26, 1966: Aspromonte’s Walk-Off Slam Lights Up the Sky for Astros, THOMAS RATHKAMP June 15, 1967: The “Toy Cannon” Blasts Three Shots in the Astrodome, GREGORY H. WOLF June 18, 1967: Unhittable: Wilson Tosses First No-No in Astrodome History, GREGORY H. WOLF July 2, 1967: “Wynning” Reaction for the Winning Run, JOHN BAUER September 27, 1967: Cuellar Outduels Bunning, NORM KING April 15, 1968: The Astrodome Marathon, RICHARD RIIS August 23, 1968: The Heady Heights of Seventh Place, JOHN BAUER May 27, 1969: Rader’s Walk-Off Slam Sinks Phillies, THOMAS RATHKAMP September 19, 1971: Trailing 4-0, Houston Scores Five Unanswered Runs, and Wins on Joe Morgan’s Walk-Off Homer, GORDON GATTIE June 18, 1972: Reuss Spins One-Hitter, RICHARD A. CUICCHI June 10, 1974: Mike Schmidt Wallops a Tremendous...Single? CHIP GREENE September 22, 1974: Grffin’s Unlikely RBI Single Stifles Braves in 14, THOMAS RATHKAMP June 15, 1976: Rainout in the Astrodome, RICK SCHABOWSKI July 9, 1976: Dierker Tosses a No-No, GREGORY H. WOLF June 24, 1977: Watson Hits for Cycle; Cruz Belts Walk-Off Double in 11th, RICHARD RIIS July 17, 1978: Cruz’s Walk-Off Homer Preserves Niekro’s Extra-Inning Complete-Game Gem, GORDON GATTIE April 7, 1979: Ken Forsch Hurls Earliest No-Hitter in History, CHIP GREENE August 3, 1979: J.R. Richard Strikes Out 15 for Complete-Game Victory, T.S. FLYNN October 11, 1980: Wild Extra-Inning Playoff Game, JIM SWEETMAN October 12, 1980: Astros Fall Short of the World Series, FREDERICK C. BUSH September 26, 1981: Ryan’s Fifth No-Hitter, FREDERICK C. BUSH October 6, 1981: Ashby’s Walk-Off Preserves Ryan Two-Hitter in the NLDS, GREGORY H. WOLF May 9, 1983: Winning Run Scores While Heep Argues with Ump, MARK S. STERNMAN July 13, 1983: Bjorkman Knocks in Five in Cup of Coffee, GREG ERION April 8, 1984: Dickie Thon and the Shadow of Ray Chapman, BILL MCCURDY July 15, 1984: Ashby’s Walk-Off Single Ends it in the 16th, ALAN COHEN April 9, 1985: Morganna Smooches Ryan, NORM KING July 15, 1986: Roger Clemens Returns to Hometown Houston for All Star Game, Wins MVP, MICHAEL HUBER September 23, 1986: Eight Straight Strikeouts for Jim Deshaies, BRENT HEUTMAKER September 25, 1986: Mike Scott No-Hits the Giants, FREDERICK C. BUSH October 15, 1986: Staving Off Scott, RORY COSTELLO September 9, 1987: “Ryan Express” Whiffs 16, including No. 4,500, GREGORY H. WOLF June 3, 1989: “The Game that Would Never End” JOE THOMPSON June 8, 1990: Mike Scott Strikes Out 15, MICHAEL HUBER September 8, 1993: Darryl Kile Tosses No-Hitter, CHIP GREENE September 17, 1993: Harnisch’s Losses No-Hitter on Controversial Call, ALAN COHEN June 24, 1994: Bagwell Homers Three Times, Twice in One Inning, FREDERICK C. BUSH June 13, 1997: First Interleague Game in the Astrodome, STEVE WEST September 25, 1997: Astros Clinch NL Central, FREDERICK C. BUSH August 28, 1998: The Big Unit Fans 16 in Third Straight Shutout in the Dome, GREGORY H. WOLF October 1, 1998: Spiers’ Walk-Off Single Ties the NLDS, PAUL GEISLER May 11, 1999: Beat-Down at the Dome: Astros Spank Bucs While Setting Team-Record For Runs and Doubles, MATTHEW HENSHON June 13, 1999 / July 23, 1999: A Scary Situation for the Houston Astros, BRENT HEUTMAKER September 11, 1999: “It’s Lima Time, Baby” CHAD OSBORNE October 3, 1999: Astros Clinch NL Central in the Last Game at Astrodome, FREDERICK C. BUSH October 9, 1999: Astrodome Goes Out With a Whimper, GREG ERION Astrodome as the Home to Sports Other Than Baseball, ALAN REIFMAN 50 Years and Counting: What Does the Future Hold for the Astrodome? JUSTIN KRUEGER The Astrodome the Numbers, DAN FIELDS The Astrodome: Back to the Future, Part 4, BILL MCCURDY

Dome Sweet Dome: History and Highlights from 35 Years of the Houston Astrodome (SABR Cities and Stadiums)

The intersection of Grand Avenue and Dodier Street on the north side of St. Louis is one of the fabled locations in baseball history. Amateurs began playing on a sandlot there as far back as the 1860s. In the winter of 1908-09 Sportsman's Park, a dilapidated wooden structure, was rebuilt and extensively renovated and modernized. The new concrete and steel park served as the center of professional baseball in St. Louis for the next six decades. The home of the Browns and--beginning in July 1920--the Cardinals, Sportsman's Park hosted more than 7,000 major league games. This book rekindles memories of the venerable ballpark through detailed summaries of 100 games played there from 1909 through 1966. There are also insightful feature essays about the park's history. This volume is a collaborative effort of 40 members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR).

Sportsman's Park in St. Louis: Home of The Browns and Cardinals at Grand and Dodier (SABR Cities and Stadiums)

History

Americas

April 11, 1912, marked a new era in the history of the Cincinnati Reds. On that day the team inaugurated the season by playing its first game at Redland Field, which was renamed Crosley Field in 1934 in honor of the team’s owner, Powel Crosley. The new steel and concrete ballpark was located at the site of its predecessor, the outdated wooden Palace of the Fans at the intersection of Findlay Street and Western Avenue. For almost six decades, Crosley Field beckoned like a shining gem surrounded by warehouses and industrial complexes in the Queensgate neighborhood of the Queen City. The Reds closed the book on Crosley Field on June 24, 1970, and moved into Riverfront Stadium, a modern all-purpose sports venue that held almost twice as many spectators. This book evokes memories of Crosley Field through detailed summaries of more than 85 historic and monumental games played there, and 10 insightful feature essays about the history of the ballpark. Former Reds players Johnny Edwards and Art Shamsky share their memories of the park in introductions. Among the exciting contests recounted here are an Opening Day no-hitter in 1918, action from the infamous 1919 World Series, Negro Leagues action, Joe DiMaggio’s 1939 World Series heroics, Johnny Van Der Meer’s incredible summer of two no-hitters, and no-hitters by Lon Warneke and Clyde Shoun. Hank Aaron’s 3000th hit took place at Crosley Field, as did indelible performances by Pete Rose, Roberto Clemente, and Frank Robinson. This volume is a collaborative effort of more than three dozen members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), including Alan Cohen, Art Shamsky, Bill Schneider, Bob Buege, Brian P. Wood, C. Paul Rogers III, Chad Dotson, Dan Fields, Doug Feldmann, Gordon Gattie, Greg Erion, Greg Rhodes, Gregory H. Wolf, Jacob Pomrenke, Joe Schuster, Joe Wancho, John Bauer, Johnny Edwards, Kellen Nielson, Kirk Jenkins, Leo Bradley, Lon Garber, Luke Miller and Gregory H. Wolf, Mark Miller, Mark S. Sternman, Michael Lynch, Mike Huber, Mike Whiteman, Norm King, Paul E. Doutrich, Phillip Bolda, Richard A. Cuicchi, Rick Schabowski, Russ Lake, and Tom Pardo.

Cincinnati's Crosley Field: A Gem in the Queen City (SABR Cities and Stadiums)

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

Heaphy, Leslie

Neyer, Rob

Corbett, Warren

Kates, Maxwell

Costello, Rory

Society for American Baseball Research (SABR)

The 1972 Texas Rangers were a culmination of decades of trying to get a major-league team in Dallas-Fort Worth. The area has a long history with baseball, going back to the 1800s, and minor-league teams played in both cities right up until the Rangers arrived with Ted Williams at the helm.High expectations were quickly dashed. Just how bad were those early Rangers teams? When reporter Mike Shropshire wrote a book about covering the Rangers from 1973 to ’75, he titled it Seasons In Hell. Twenty years later, the Rangers still hadn’t made the playoffs. Counting the decade when the franchise was known as the Washington Senators, the team did not go to the playoffs for the first 35 years of its existence. So why write a book about the 1972 Texas Rangers, perhaps the worst team in club history? Because they’re the start of that history. Articles in this book cover the effort to bring a team to North Texas and the story of Tom Vandergriff, the man now known as “the father of the Rangers.” Biographies of every man to play--or coach--for the 1972 team are presented, including Frank Howard, Larry Bittner, Horacio Pina and Tom Grieve, and broadcasters Don Drysdale and Bill Mercer. Owner Bob Short and Arlington Stadium itself are given full write-ups as well. This book is the collaborative work of 46 members of SABR—the Society for American Baseball Research. CONTENTS Prologue: The Washington Senators: 1961-71 by Joseph Wancho Major-League Baseball Comes to Arlington by Greg Chandler PLAYERS Larry Biittner by David E. Skelton Rich Billings by Steve West Dick Bosman by Dale Voiss Pete Broberg by Gregory H. Wolf Jeff Burroughs by by David E. Skelton Casey Cox by Alan Cohen Jim Driscoll by Charlie Grassl Jan Dukes by Clayton Trutor Bill Fahey by Steve West Ted Ford by Chris Holaday Bill Gogolewski by Gregory H. Wolf Tom Grieve by Steve West Rich Hand by Raymond Rossi Toby Harrah by Frederick C. Bush Vic Harris by Paul Hofmann Rich Hinton by Mark Sternman Frank Howard by Mark Armour Gerry Janeski by David E. Skelton Dalton Jones by Maurice Bouchard Hal King by Chris Holaday Ted Kubiak by Rory Costello Steve Lawson by Chris Holaday Paul Lindblad by Paul Hofmann Joe Lovitto by Charlie Grassl Elliott Maddox by Gordon Janis Marty Martinez by Joseph Gerard Jim Mason by Steve West Don Mincher by Marc Z. Aaron Dave Nelson by Rick Schabowski Jim Panther by Chad Moody Mike Paul by Wayne Strumpfer Horacio Pina by Rory Costello &amp; Francisco Rodriguez Lozano Tom Ragland by Bob LeMoine Lenny Randle by Charlie Grassl Jim Roland by Gregory H. Wolf Jim Shellenback by Paul Geisler Don Stanhouse by Maxwell Kates Ken Suarez by Bo Carter MANAGER Ted Williams by Bill Nowlin COACHES Joe Camacho by Charlie Grassl Nellie Fox by Robert W. Bigelow &amp; Don Zminda Sid Hudson by John Bennett George Susce by David E. Skelton Wayne Terwilliger by C. Paul Rogers III OWNER Bob Short by Bob Whelan BALLPARK Arlington Stadium by Will Osgood Players who Homered at Arlington Stadium as Both Minor and Major Leaguers by Alan Cohen MEDIA Dallas-Fort Worth Baseball Media in 1972 by Steve West Bill Mercer by Bo Carter Don Drysdale by Joseph Wancho Randy Galloway by Norm King OTHERS Tom Vandergriff (“father of Rangers”) by Greg Chandler Joe Burke (general manager) by Steve West Hal Keller (dir. player development) by Chip Greene Bill Zeigler (trainer) by Charlie Grassl along with recaps of ten significant games from the 1972 season

The Team That Couldn't Hit: The 1972 Texas Rangers (The SABR Baseball Library)

Bush, Frederick C.

COHEN, ALAN

Holaday, Chris

Trutor, Clayton

West, Steve

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Books by Wolf, Gregory H.