Jews and Baseball, Volume 1: Entering the American Mainstream, 1871-1948
Long before Hank Greenberg earned recognition as baseball's greatest Jewish player, Jews had developed a unique, and very close, relationship with the American pastime. In the late nineteenth century, as both the American Jewish population and baseball's popularity grew rapidly, baseball became an avenue by which Jewish immigrants could assimilate into American culture. Beyond the men (and, later, women) on the field, in the dugout, and at the front office, the Jewish community produced a...
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Long before Hank Greenberg earned recognition as baseball's greatest Jewish player, Jews had developed a unique, and very close, relationship with the American pastime. In the late nineteenth century, as both the American Jewish population and baseball's popularity grew rapidly, baseball became an avenue by which Jewish immigrants could assimilate into American culture. Beyond the men (and, later, women) on the field, in the dugout, and at the front office, the Jewish community produced a huge base of fans and students of the game. This important book examines the interrelated histories of baseball and American Jews to 1948-the year Israel was established, the first full season that both major leagues were integrated, and the summer that Hank Greenberg retired. Covered are the many players, from Pike to Greenberg, as well as the managers, owners, executives, writers, statisticians, manufacturers and others who helped forge a bond between baseball and an emerging Jewish culture in America. Key reasons for baseball's early appeal to Jews are examined, including cultural assimilation, rebellion against perceived Old World sensibilities, and intellectual and philosophical ties to existing Jewish traditions. The authors also clearly demonstrate how both Jews and baseball have benefited from their relationship. Bob Cottrell, Margaret Heilbrun, Paul Kaplan, Gilles Renaud Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information - Library Journal From the time when immigrant families saw baseball as a means of becoming recognizably American, the Jewish love affair with the game has never really abated. In thematic chapters with a continuing narative flow, the authors cover both the brilliant stars (e.g., Hank Greenberg) and the obscure players. Just as important, they tell the stories of sports writers, coaches, executives and team owners, manufacturers, etc. The first of two projected volumes and a good addition to large baseball collections.
Acknowledgments viiForeword Martin Abramowitz, Ph.D. 1Prologue 3From the Beginnings 5The Earliest Jewish Professional Players 8The Cincinnati Connection 13Baseball's Most Detested Owner 19Reshaping the Game 27Baseball and Eastern European Jews 37A Cohen by Any Other Name 40Keepers of the Stats 55Baseball's National Anthem 61From the Press Box 64The Last of the Pseudonyms 75McGraw's Mission 83The Unsung Star 94The Clown and the Spy 99The Revolutionary Umpire 111Jewish Owners-The Next Generation 116The Golden Age Begins 132The Brooklyn Dodgers 153The War Years 165The First Jewish Superstar 176Epilogue 185Notes 187Bibliography 209Index 217
\ Library JournalFrom the time when immigrant families saw baseball as a means of becoming recognizably American, the Jewish love affair with the game has never really abated. In thematic chapters with a continuing narative flow, the authors cover both the brilliant stars (e.g., Hank Greenberg) and the obscure players. Just as important, they tell the stories of sports writers, coaches, executives and team owners, manufacturers, etc. The first of two projected volumes and a good addition to large baseball collections.\ \ —Bob Cottrell, Margaret Heilbrun, Paul Kaplan, Gilles Renaud Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information\ \
