Desert Hawk Books

 

 

304  pages
17 Photographs
51 Tables
6" x 9"
Hardcover

Quantity:  $29.95 & S/H

 

1908 was a great year for baseball.  The two events that have reverberated down through the years are the infamous Berkle Boner and the Cubs' last World Series victory, but the season was full of highlights.  In the National League, three teams finished within a half game of each other, and the issue was decided in the sport's first playoff game.  The pennant race in the American League was almost as tight.  The Cubs' Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance triumvirate flourished, and their pitchers were led by Three Finger Brown.  The Giants boasted pitching sensation Christy Mathewson, and the Pirates were carried by Honus Wagner.  More than Merkle brings this defining season back to life.

"I have done a report of some kind on the Fred Merkle story whether in print, on radio, or on TV, on or about its anniversary, September 23, virtually every year since I was in college.  The saga has always seemed to me to be microcosm not just of baseball, nor of celebrity, but of life.   The rules sometimes change while you're playing the game.  Those you trust to tell you the changes often don't bother to.  That for which history still mocks you, would have gone unnoticed if you had done it a year or a month or a day before. That's who Fred Merkle is.  I have often proposed September 23 as a nation day of amnesty, in Fred Merkle's memory." - Keith Olbermann, from his foreword.

David W. Anderson is a telecommunications consultant in northern Indiana.  He is also an umpire for Indiana high school  and Babe Ruth league baseball.  
Keith Olbermann is anchor for Fox Sports.