The Cambridge Companion to Baseball

From Babe Ruth to the Black Sox scandal, this Companion examines baseball's history, global identity, current challenges and memorable personalities.

Leonard Cassuto (Edited by), Stephen Partridge (Edited by)

9780521761826, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 21 February 2011

280 pages, 8 b/w illus.
23.5 x 15.6 x 2 cm, 0.55 kg

"The Cambridge Companion to baseball is more hit than miss, however, and there is something in this book that will satisfy everyone - from the baseball novice to the lifelong student of the game." --Canadian Journal of History/Annales

Baseball is much more than a game. As the American national pastime, it has reflected the political and cultural concerns of US society for over 200 years, and generates passions and loyalties unique in American society. This Companion examines baseball in culture, baseball as culture, and the game's global identity. Contributors contrast baseball's massive, big-business present with its romanticized origins and its evolution against the backdrop of American and world history. The chapters cover topics such as baseball in the movies, baseball and mass media, and baseball in Japan and Latin America. Between the chapters are vivid profiles of iconic characters including Babe Ruth, Ichiro and Walter O'Malley. Crucial moments in baseball history are revisited, ranging from the 1919 Black Sox gambling scandal to recent controversies over steroid use. A unique book for fans and scholars alike, this Companion explains the enduring importance of baseball in America and beyond.

Introduction Leonard Cassuto
Chronology Stephen Partridge
1. The rules of baseball Steven P. Gietschier
2. Baseball in literature, baseball as literature Timothy Morris and Stephen Partridge
3. Babe Ruth, sabermetrics, and baseball's politics of greatness Leonard Cassuto and David Grant
Interchapter: Babe Ruth Leonard Cassuto
4. Not the major leagues: Japanese- and Mexican-Americans and the national pastime Samuel O. Regalado
5. Baseball and the color line: from the Negro Leagues to Major League Baseball Leslie Heaphy
Interchapter: Jackie Robinson and Curt Flood Matthew Frye Jacobson
6. Baseball and war Richard Crepeau
7. Baseball and the American city David Finoli
Interchapter: Walter O'Malley Leonard Cassuto
8. Baseball at the movies George Grella
9. The baseball fan Al Filreis
10. Baseball and material culture David F. Venturo
Interchapter: the Honus Wagner T-206 baseball card David F. Venturo
11. Global baseball: Japan and East Asia Masaru Ikei
Interchapter: Roberto Clemente and Ichiro Leonard Cassuto
12. Global baseball: Latin America Arturo J. Marcano and David P. Fidler
13. Cheating in baseball David Luban and Daniel Luban
Interchapter: Pete Rose Leonard Cassuto
14. The evolution of baseball's economy Andrew Zimbalist
Interchapter: Andy Messersmith, Charlie Finley, and George Steinbrenner Jonathan Lewin
15. Baseball and the mass media Curt Smith
A guide to further reading.

Subject Areas: Track & field sports, athletics [WSK], Baseball [WSJT], Ball games [WSJ], Sports & outdoor recreation [WS], 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 [HBLW], History of the Americas [HBJK], Literary studies: general [DSB]