Baseball's Heartland War, 1902-1903: The Western League and American Association Vie for Turf, Players and Profits Contributor(s): Pajot, Dennis (Author) |
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ISBN: 0786463376 ISBN-13: 9780786463374 Publisher: McFarland & Company OUR PRICE: $29.65 Product Type: Paperback Published: September 2011 |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Sports & Recreation | Baseball - History |
Dewey: 796.357 |
LCCN: 2011031514 |
Physical Information: 0.52" H x 5.97" W x 8.94" (0.70 lbs) 224 pages |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: In late 1901, a number of baseball owners decided to break away from the Western League and form a new league called the American Association. This outlaw league refused to recognize organized baseball's reserve clause, but vowed to respect contracts. Unfortunately, organized baseball did not reciprocate. Over the next two years, the leagues battled each other for players, fans, and financial superiority. This narrative of that struggle details the business operations of the different clubs, the difficulties of securing property for ball parks, and the problem of players jumping contracts. It also chronicles the two playing seasons during the conflict and describes the rowdy behavior of both players and umpires that characterized baseball at the time. Although the American Association would go on to a longer and more successful life, this study shows that outcome was by no means certain in the early 20th century. |