A Brand New Ballgame: Branch Rickey, Bill Veeck, Walter O'Malley and the Transformation of Baseball, 1945-1962 - Softcover

G. Scott Thomas (author)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1476686564 ISBN 13: 9781476686561

Publisher: McFarland, 2021

Synopsis

America grew rapidly after World War II, and the national pastime followed suit. Baseball dramatically changed from a 19th century pastoral relic to a continental modern sport. Six Major League clubs relocated to new cities, capped by the coast-to-coast moves of the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants. Four expansion teams were created from thin air. Dozens of black stars emerged after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. The players formed a union--higher salaries materialized.

This book tells the story of baseball's metamorphosis 1945-1962, driven by larger-than-life personalities like the bombastic Larry MacPhail, the sage Branch Rickey, the kindly Connie Mack, the quick-witted Bill Veeck and the wily Walter O'Malley--Hall of Famers all. The upheaval they sparked--and sometimes failed to control--would broaden the sport's appeal, setting the stage for tremendous growth in the half-century to come.

About this title

About the Author

G. Scott Thomas has been a journalist for more than 40 years, specializing in coverage of business, demographics, politics, and sports. His blog, Baseball's Best (and Worst) can be read at bestworst.substack.com. He lives in Tonawanda, New York.

Edition details

• Publisher: McFarland
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1476686564
• ISBN 13: 9781476686561
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 277