Major League Baseball Profiles, Vol. 2, 1871-1900
Nemec, a member of the Society for American Baseball Research and the author of several quiz books about the sport, backs all of his work with amazing research and obvious passion for the game. This is a richly detailed two-volume set (available separately) that presents biographical sketches of hundreds of people who contributed to the early decades of major-league baseball.   Volume 2, The Hall of Famers and Memorable Personalities Who Shaped the Game, contains the baseball-related names most recognizable to twenty-first-century readers. This volume adds intriguing chapters that cover topics such as early major leaguers whose accomplishments merit Hall of Fame consideration, front-office personnel, umpires, rogues, ethnic firsts, and life after baseball. Without the aid of Nemec’s work, it is difficult to imagine that many people today would know that fleet-footed Harry Berthrong, of the Washington Olympics, would move on to a lengthy career in government service, during which he drew more than 600 portraits of William McKinley.   Trivia is entertaining, but the heart of this work is wonderful biographical prose. Major League Baseball Profiles provides a fascinating and unique view of the scores of individuals who played a role in laying the foundation for the modern game. It is an indispensible resource for anyone wishing to gain a better understanding of the formative years of big-league baseball. --Jim Frutchey