The Best They Could Be: How the Cleveland Indians Became the Kings of Baseball, 1916-1920 - Hardcover

Longert, Scott H.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1612344933 ISBN 13: 9781612344935

Publisher: Potomac Books, Inc., 2013

Synopsis

Since the founding of professional baseball, few teams have risen above years of mediocrity only to see their fortunes interrupted by war and tragedy. In the early twentieth century, one team rallied to claim first place and then won a world's championship in a most spectacular style that has yet to be replicated. Who were these men who managed to bring home the first world championship to a city of passionate baseball fans? The Best They Could Be recaps the compelling story of the ballplayers and the team owner who resurrected a proud but struggling franchise. Although the Cleveland ball club was an active member of professional baseball from the late 1860s and a charter member of the American League, by 1915 the team was on the brink of collapse. Into this dejected atmosphere came new owner James C. Dunn, who, without previous baseball experience, had the business savvy to bring his club to the forefront, acquiring superstar center fielder Tris Speaker and great pitchers. But during the rise of the franchise, the outbreak of World War I interrupted baseball. Then, in 1920, as the Indians were front and center in the pennant race, shortstop Ray Chapman died after a pitch struck him on the right temple and fractured his skull. The outpouring of sorrow from teammates and fans alike made the Indians more determined than ever to fight their way to the top. Scott Longert's entertaining and poignant narrative traces the rise, fall, and rebirth of one of America's most beloved baseball teams.

About this title

Review:

"It's World Series time. And for fans of the Cleveland Indians, that means lots of football, leaf raking and pining for days gone by. . . . Longert's 280-page missive on the '20 Indians is for the serious Tribe fan who wants to be either reminded or taught about how the Indians went from bottom-feeder to contender in the late 1910s."--Phil Trexler, Akron Beacon Journal--Phil Trexler "Akron Beacon Journal "

"The Best They Could Be is a congenial page-turner, a fluidly-written and thoroughly researched account of an under-appreciated championship club."--Bill Lamb, Inside Game--Bill Lamb "Inside Game "

"Scott Longert's well-researched story of the making of the 1920 Cleveland Indians is one of the true underdog tales in baseball history. The Best They Could Be is a welcome addition to the baseball library."--Mike Sowell, author of The Pitch That Killed and One Pitch Away--Mike Sowell

"Scott Longert blends a strong sense of history, solid research, and fine writing. This isn't just for Cleveland Indians fans; it's for anyone who wants to experience baseball during the era of the First World War, when players climbed out of the coal mines, onto the diamonds, and into fans' hearts."--Marc Bona, Cleveland Plain Dealer editor--Marc Bona

"In The Best They Could Be, author Scott Longert brings to life the triumph and tragedy of an unforgettable season in Indians history. A must read not just for every serious Cleveland sports fan, but for all baseball fans."--Bud Shaw, Cleveland Plain Dealer sports columnist--Bud Shaw

"Scott Longert takes the reader back to a time when Cleveland was one of America's mightiest industrial cities and baseball was the king of sports. His detailed account of how the Cleveland franchise rebounded from financial peril to win the World Series five years later is a tale worth being remembered and celebrated."--Matt Underwood, Cleveland Indians announcer--Matt Underwood

About the Author:

SCOTT LONGERT is the author of Addie Joss: King of the Pitchers (Society for American Baseball Research, 1998) and has written numerous articles on baseball history for the Cleveland Plain Dealer Sunday Magazine, TimeLine, The Baseball Research Journal, and The National Pastime. He lives in Beachwood, Ohio.

About this edition

• Publisher: Potomac Books, Inc.
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1612344933
• ISBN 13: 9781612344935
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 280