Encyclopedia of Major League Baseball Clubs

From the exploits on the field to the machinations in the front office to the cities where they play, the author presents the team history of each of the thirty MLB teams. Intelligent, in-depth essays provide social and economic histories of each club that go beyond the recounting of team glories or failures year by year. Team origins, annual campaigns, players, and managers figure into the story, but so do owners, financiers, politicians, neighborhoods, and fans. Teams are also looked at as business enterprises, with special attention given to labor issues like the reserve clause and free agency, as well as stadium construction and financing. Social and political issues are covered as well, including racism and integration, ethnic makeup of fans and players, gambling, liquor sales, and Sunday play. National events, like World War I, World War II, the Great Depression and the Cold War, and their impact on the national pastime, are also brought into the picture where relevant. Media coverage and broadcasting rights are discussed, as is the great influence the flood of media money has had on the sport. As the American sport, baseball reflects not just ideas and beliefs about competition, it also reflects national and regional identities.