Title: A game of brawl : the Orioles, the Beaneaters, and the battle for the 1897 pennant /
Authors: Felber, Bill.; Kennedy, Edward M. 1932-2009
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press,
Year: 2007
Subjects: Baltimore Orioles (American Association : Baseball team) History.; Boston Red Sox (Baseball team) History.; Boston Braves (Baseball team) History.; Baseball Maryland Baltimore History.; Baseball Massachusetts Boston History.; Baseball United States History
Abstract: "It was probably the most cutthroat pennant race in baseball history. And it was a struggle to define how baseball would be played. This book recreates the rowdy, season-long 1897 battle between the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Beaneaters. The Orioles had acquired a reputation as the dirtiest team in baseball. Future Hall of Famers John McGraw, Wee Willie Keeler, and "Foxy" Ned Hanlon were proven winners - but their nasty tactics met with widespread disapproval among fans. So it was that their pennant race with the comparatively saintly Beaneaters took on a decidedly moralistic air."
Contents: Baseball's original evil empire -- The Royal Rooters -- Spring thunderbolts -- Parade of champions -- Suspected criminals -- Streaks of June -- Sunday misdemeanors -- The rise and fall of Louis Sockalexis -- Day jobs for garroters -- Don't they keep warm? -- Fall in Baltimore.