Don’t forget that next Tuesday, Aug. 11, we will be debuting our monthly book club. August’s book is The Glory of Their Times, by Lawrence Ritter.
Ritter’s book became one of the classics of baseball writing. Back in the 1960s, he traveled 75,000 miles around the country, tracking down old-time ballplayers from the turn of the century to get their stories before it was too late. He spoke with several men who were already in the Hall of Fame, as well as a few who were later enshrined, perhaps in part because of the interest his book rekindled in their era. Each man has a chapter, told in his own voice. Ritter asked the questions and recorded their answers, then later transcribed the tapes to make the book.
It’s a fun read for baseball fans as well as American history buffs, as the players’ stories help paint a picture of what life was like back in the early 1900s. More than likely your local library has a copy or two, so go check it out and read it and join our discussion next week.
If you’d like to make a suggestion for a future book, post it in the comments here, or send it to me via e-mail (jbailey@hardballcooperative.com).
