The Glory of Their Times - by Lawrence Ritter

uniship

So I am in Barnes and Nobles today and stumble upon this book. It's about what baseball was like at the turn of the century from actual interviews done in the early 1960's with the players from that turn-of-the-century era. If you have not read this - READ IT - you will love it. It really gives you a feel for what baseball was like then. Now I have an idea why all those "old vintage" collectors are so passionate. Check it out - you'll be glad you did.

spacktrack

Definitely a worthwhile read. Picked this book up about 4 years ago and plowed right through it. A great book that really showcases the early game of baseball.

LuxuryWines

I concur, just a great read . I picked it up because it had one of my favorite old-timers in it Smokey Joe Wood.

qualitycards

Its a fantastic book.
Its was mentioned on the boards a month or 2 ago when Ritter died. I scanned a royalty check (I have a few) like the Roush below...jay

CON40

One of the first baseball books I ever read... my garndfather gave it to me about 20 years ago... great book that got me hooked on baseball history!

Jay... that check is great! Nice to see the little tidbits and nuggets that weave this gane together!

Griffins

Its also on tape, with the players themselves talking.

qualitycards

KEITH - Did you ever see the video?
I taped it off of a public service station about 15-20 years ago. They used actual interviews that Ritter taped of Chief Meyers, Rube Marquard and others and would show clips of John McGraw or a Christy Mathewson and you'd here the Chief talk about them. Or Wahoo Sam Crawford talking about Cobb, saying how sad it was that no one really liked him. I feel like fishing it out and playing it tonight.
Also with the release of the book, it actually helped a few players make the Hall Of Fame since it brought their careers to many who didn't know much about them.
To the ones who are not familiar with the book, Ritter in the early '60's would meet the player (usually at the players house) and Ritter would say, "tell me about your career" and then the player would talk about playing 50 years earlier. Ritter put it in a sequence and had a chapter on each player, from the players own words. I still remember reading about Rube Marquard sleeping as a teenager in a Ohio fire station while playing ball in that town. And when he was a major leaguer w/ the Giants, would stop by and visit the guys who took him in. ...jay

qualitycards

GRIFFINS - You beat me to it! ...jay

CON40

Jay & Griffins;

I never saw the tape! I honestly never knew that existed... but it would be something I'd LOVE to see... I'll check Amazon/eBay and see if it's floating around. Thanks!

Jay, your bit about Marquard and the fire station reminds me of the story about Rube Waddell. Ever the eccentric, he would run off the mound and sometimes out of the park in attempt to chase fire engines that sped by the ballpark enroute to fires... was that from Ritter's book?

qualitycards

There may have been a mention or 2 about Waddell. Who also liked puppies and shiny new toys, fans would hold them up when he was pitching so he would lose his focus. But since he died decades before the book was written, there wasn't a chapter on him since they were based from his live interviews at the time...jay

Griffins

I was referring to the book on tape, I didn't realize there was a video.
Too bad it didn't get Smokey Joe Wood in the HOF. With the way the voting on the veterans committee is done now I doubt anyone will get it, let alone a player that died before most of the electorate was born.

qualitycards

GRIFFINS - Joe Wood passed away in 1985, in his 90's. The problem w/ Wood is that his career as a pitcher was cut short due to an arm injury. When he was healthy there were none better. And his duals w/ Walter Johnson was legendary. In 1912 he had one of the greatest years that any pitcher ever had, going 34-5. Later Wood became an outfielder w/ Cleveland where his pal Tris Speaker (both played w/ Boston and were room mates in both places) tried to help him pro-long his career. He actually hit well, and had a career .283 batting average. His career total in wins was 116. So although he had some great years, just not enough for HOF induction.
Up to about a year ago, his son was set up at Fort Washington selling 11 x 14 pitchers of his dad, and of other players of the period. My son and I have about 6 that we picked up from him,, I believe his name is Bob. A real nice gentleman...jay

CON40

Jay;

I have spoken to Joe Wood's son on the phone... many years ago... he was living in New Hampshire... believe it or not, I think I sold a 1984 Fleer Clemens to him... don't remember how I got in touch with him (through another collector), but I still have his business card somewhere... I think his name was Connie(?) Wood, but I'm not positive... it was quite an experience to talk with him about his dad!

Griffins

Jay and Con-
I met Wood's granddaughter at a dinner party a few months ago. Her dad is in his late 80's, and it's been his lifelong quest to get his father in the HOF. I think there are pitchers arguably less deserving in there, but don't think it'll ever happen at this point. She was telling me about her dad's collection, it sounded pretty incredible. He's still doing fine, just slowing down a bit.

theBobs

Previous thread Jay mentioned.

murcerfan

Smokey Joe's son is Bob Wood, who is pretty well known around the hobby. I met him at the hotel bar at a Fort show a few years back.
He told me a few great stories, including a great one about the times he met Ty Cobb, who apparently remained lifetime friends with Smokey Joe.
He claimed that Cobb used to say that Smokey Joe had the best arm he ever saw (before he tore it up).

mrc32

I started the last thread on the book. Great book....if you like baseball and have not read it you are missing out!