Description
Book SynopsisIn this first volume of two, Harold Seymour traces the growth of baseball from early English children''s games to the formation in 1903 of the two present-day professional major leagues. By investigating previously unexamined sources, he uncovers the real story of baseball''s evolution in the United States from a gentleman''s amateur sport of well-bred play followed by well-laden banquet tables into a professional sport where big leagues operate under their own rules. Offering countless colourful anecdotes and a wealth of new information, Seymour explodes many cherished myths. He unveils the influence of baseball on American business, manners, morals, social institutions and show business and sketches revealing portraits of the men who became the first professional players, club owners, and managers.
Trade ReviewPraise for Volume I: "An important reference, very readable."--The New York Public Library "Indispensable."--Dr. Daniel Boorstin, Director, Library of Congress "Will remain the basic reference for baseball history."--New York Historical Review "First-rate history....[Seymour] gives a full picture of player salaries, of owner deceits, of public frenzy."--The Baltimore Sun "Half of what will be the most comprehensive, serious, authoritative, and sociological study of baseball ever put to paper."--San Francisco Chronicle "It puts baseball...firmly in the American picture....[An] admirable book."--The Times Literary Supplement (London) "[Seymour] has the intellectual's passion for facts, but he writes with the light touch of a sports writer."--New York Daily News "Stands in a class by itself."--St. Petersburg Times "Right off the bat, let me say that this history of baseball stands in a class by itself."--John Barkham, Saturday Review Syndicate "With great care the book tells how the game was born, struggled, survived, and prospered, despite bird-brained direction at the top, chicanery at all levels, bullying of players, player revolts, monopolistic and power tactics, scandals, rowdyism and even violence."--Providence Journal
