THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME 50th ANNIVERSARY BOOK

by Gerald and The National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum & Library Astor ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1988

Crackerjack survey of the national pastime, focusing on the exploits of Hall-of-Famers. This is really three books in one: a bright, anecdotal history of the sport by Astor; close-up studies of nine outstanding players by leading sportswriters; and a gallery of over 300 duotone and color photos (not seen). Astor's report hits all the bases, from the invention of baseball by Alexander Cartwright to the expansion era of the 1960's. Early chapters soar, as the sport teems with little-known Hall-of-Famers (Jim ""The Little Steam Engine"" Galvin, Billy ""Sliding"" Hamilton) whom Astor lovingly animates. He approaches the cavernous middle decades with solid reporting and curious facts (to protect his eyesight, Roger Hornsby never saw a movie; Tinkers and Evers, two-thirds of the Cubs' famed double-play combination, hated each other's guts). By the 1970's and 80's, Astor runs out of things to say--it's not yet clear which recent superstars will eventually join the immortals. As for the close-ups, outstanding entries include Shirley Povich's genuflection to Walter Johnson (she saw him pitch in 1922, remembers him as ""the most humble and honest man to play the game""), Ed Linn on Sandy Koufax (""a wall of amiability""), Roy Blount, Jr., on Roberto Clemente (""the only member of the Hall of Fame who ever told a photographer he was going to kill me""). Babe Ruth (George Vecsey), Brooks Robinson (Thomas Boswell), Willie Mays (Ron Fimrite), Mickey Mantle (Robert Lipsyte), Jackie Robinson (Roger Kahn), and Cap Anson (Robert Creamer) also receive individual accolades. Each of the solo essays could stand alone; united here, and complemented by Astor's superb summary of almost 150 years of diamond capers, this challenges for first place in the 1988 baseball-book pennant race.

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1988

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Prentice Hall

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1988

Categories: NONFICTION