Description
Book Synopsis In the history of sports, few comeback stories compare to that of Edgar Charles Rice better known as Sam. Away from home, trying out for a low-level minor league team, Sam Rice received a telegram on an April morning that would turn his world upside down: his wife, mother, both of his children and two younger siblings had been killed by a tornado. A few days later, his father died from injuries suffered in the tornado, as well. By the time he reached the major leagues three years later with the Washington Senators, Rice apparently had buried his past deep inside. He never spoke of the tragedy publicly while embarking on a career in which he would amass 2,987 base hits, 13 hits short of one of baseball''s most hallowed milestones. In this moving biography, Jeff Carroll explores the great achievement and tragedy of a Hall of Fame outfielder and Washington Senators favorite.
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments v
Preface 1
Prologue: Induction Day 5
1. Too Terrible to Relate 7
2. In the Navy 16
3. Man o’ War 27
4. The War in Europe 40
5. Roaring into the 1920s 54
6. Bush League Manager 66
7. Streaking to a Pennant 80
8. To the Brink 92
9. Party Town 103
10. Another Pennant Run 112
11. The Catch 124
12. Back to Earth 144
13. Grandpap of the Potomac 160
14. End of the Line 171
15. Reunion in Cleveland 183
16. Life on the Farm 190
17. Thirteen Hits 198
Epilogue 213
Appendix: Sam Rice by the Numbers 215
Chapter Notes 219
Bibliography 233
Index 237
