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American Baseball. Vol. 1 David Quentin Voigt (Albright College (retired))

American Baseball. Vol. 1 By David Quentin Voigt (Albright College (retired))

American Baseball. Vol. 1 by David Quentin Voigt (Albright College (retired))


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Condition - Very Good
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American Baseball. Vol. 1 Summary

American Baseball. Vol. 1: From Gentlemans Sport to the Commissioner System by David Quentin Voigt (Albright College (retired))

How did "America's National Game" evolve from a gentlemen's pastime in the 1850s to a national obsession in the Roaring Twenties? What really happened at Cooperstown in 1839, and why does the "Doubleday legend" persist? How did the commissioner system develop, and what was the impact of the "Black Sox" scandal? These questions and many others are answered in this book, with colorful details about early big league stars such as Mike "King" Kelly and pious Billy Sunday, Charles Comiskey and Ty Cobb, Napoleon Lajoie and "Cy" (Cyclone) Young.

The author explores historically the four major periods of transformation of the game: the Gentlemen's Era, the Golden Age, the Feudal Age, and the incipient Silver Age. Attention is given to the changing face of the major league spectacle, the evolving style of the game, and the changing interests of players, fans, and owners, along with influential innovators and their innovations. There are a number of surprises in the book. For instance, several black players made the big leagues in the 1880s, only to be driven out by a rising tide of Jim Crowism. For three generations black players were to be confined to their own clubs and leagues.

American baseball history reflects the nation's economic and social history, as author Voigt graphically demonstrates. On the fans' side, mass attendance at ball games reflects the rise of cities and the dilution of a work ethic with pursuit of leisure; on the owners' and players' side, organized baseball reflects the developing tension between big business and skilled employees. The resultdespite ups and downsis a typical American success story.

American Baseball. Vol. 1 Reviews

Better than any other writer since Albert G. Spalding broke ground with Americas National Game in 1911, Mr. Voigt has investigated all aspects of the subject; the origins and evolution of the game, the professionalism that grew out of it, and the big business that was reared upon it. He has done a rapid, well proportioned, and critically objective narrative.

Allan Nevins

About David Quentin Voigt (Albright College (retired))

David Quentin Voigt has written five books on baseball history, plus Americans Leisure Revolution on the sociology of leisure and sport. After earning an M.A. in American history at Columbia and a Ph.D. in social science at Syracuse, Dr. Voigt returned to his hometown of Reading, PA, as Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at Albright College.

Table of Contents

v. 1. From gentleman's sport to the commissioner system -- v. 2. From the commissioners to continental expansion -- v. 3. From postwar expansion to the electronic age.

Additional information

GOR013638583
9780271003344
0271003340
American Baseball. Vol. 1: From Gentlemans Sport to the Commissioner System by David Quentin Voigt (Albright College (retired))
Used - Very Good
Paperback
Pennsylvania State University Press
1983-09-15
396
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - American Baseball. Vol. 1