The Comic Book Story of Baseball
The Heroes, Hustlers, and History-Making Swings (and Misses) of America's National Pastime
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5.0 • 1 Rating
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
A graphic novel-style history of baseball, providing an illustrated look at the major games, players, and rule changes that shaped the sport.
This graphic novel steps up to the plate and covers all the bases in illustrating the origin of America's national pastime, presenting a complete look at the beginnings (both real and legendary), developments, triumphs, and tragedies of baseball. It also breaks down the cultural impact and significance of the sport both in America and overseas (including Japan, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic), from the early days of America to the flying W outside Wrigley Field in 2016.
Featuring members of Baseball's Hall of Fame and modern day stand-outs—including Cy Young, Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, the 1930s New York Yankees, the 2004 Boston Red Sox, the 2016 Chicago Cubs, and more—The Comic Book Story of Baseball spotlights the players, teams, games, and moments that built the sport's legacy and ensured its popularity.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This splendid scrapbook of the history of baseball bulges with sports lore. Beginning with the real origins of the game, found in bat and ball variants played by Puritan settlers hundreds of years before Abner Doubleday supposedly invented it in 1839, Irvine tours through the odd personalities and special moments in this "sport of myths" through to the 21st century. Here, arranged chronologically, are snapshots of significant players, from William Arthur "Candy" Cummings, who invented the curveball in 1867, to David Ortiz, whose eligibility for the Hall of Fame was debated after he retired in 2016 as a mere designated hitter. Along with the stars on the playing field, the book highlights notable managers, owners, even umpires and odd commentary, such as Virginia Woolf's observation that Ring Larder's baseball stories reveal that American's fascination with the game provides a central cultural meeting space. Other sections delve into political context, such as the color line that kept African-Americans out of the major leagues and the reserve clause that kept players in servitude to owners. With dense text boxes and vivid color art, pages feature player portraits, maps and timelines, and historical narratives, all rendered in traditional comics art. This is an affectionate, accessible, and informative volume on how Americans play the nation's favorite game. (May)
