Bill veeck was an inspired team builder, a consummate showman, and one of the greatest baseball men ever involved in the game. He and an investor group bought a majority interest in the chicago white sox from dorothy comiskey rigney, granddaughter of the franchises founder, charles comiskey. As an owner, he was willing to try anything, especially if it could make him a buck. May 22, 2016 mike veecks boring, derivative book about business and baseball. In the march1964 issue of popular science, baseballteam owner and showman bill veeck impishly defended the novelty of his design for the perfect ballpark, which featured rubber seat pads. The younger veeck and coowner actor bill murray emulated many of bill veecks promotional stunts with the saints. The maverick who changed baseball american heritage. Best sellers gift ideas new releases deals store coupons amazonbasics. The midget was then presented to manager zack taylor as a new brownie. Dec 16, 2002 veeck as in wreck by bill veeck and ed linn 1962 baseball is a lot less fun without promomeister veeck, who recounts the eureka moments behind the exploding scoreboard, the pinchhitting midget and the contortionist first base coach. His father, a chicago sportswriter, became president of the national league chicago cubs 191933, and young veeck himself sold peanuts and. Eddie gaedel finished his major league career with an onbase percentage of 1. You can read more about bill veeck in the authors excellent book, bill veeck. Bill veeck navy general library program downloadable.
We didnt know or at least i didnt that he was a patriot as highflying as. He was the man who brought a midget to home plate and explosives to the outfield of comiskey park. Sports illustrated june 7 1965 cassius clay muhammed ali vs sonny liston on cover, jimmy clark wins indy indianapolis 500, chicago white sox vs new york yankees, bill veeck on moving milwaukee braves to atlanta, jack nicklaus. Probably because it took more than 20 years after veecks death in 1986 to put all the facets of his. February 9 1914 january 2 1986, also known as sport shirt bill, was a native of chicago, illinois, and franchise owner and promoter in major league baseball. If that book left you hungry for more, or if you have a serious interest in baseball history, them you will also enjoy veeck s the hustlers handbook thh. Theres time to discuss everything between pitches or between innings.
One of baseballs most colorful characters, bill veeck was an. He was married to mary frances ackerman and eleanor raymond. His autobiography, written with the talented sportswriter ed linn, is an uproarious book packed with baseball history and some of. Unable to compete in the new era of salary escalation ignited by arbitration and free agency, veeck sold his ownership. The national pastime museum website offers a collection of essays on my favorite baseball books. Bill veeck was an inspired team builder, a consummate showman, an.
Bill veeck was born on february 9, 1914, in chicago, illinois. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read veeck as in wreck. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. This article was published in the fall 20 baseball research journal what with bill veeck jr. Apr 07, 2001 online shopping from a great selection at books store. See all books authored by bill veeck, including veeckas in wreck. While veeck was growing up in hinsdale, illinois, his father, william veeck sr. Bill veeck books list of books by author bill veeck thriftbooks. The top 100 sports books of all time sports illustrated. The autobiography of bill veeck from the worlds largest community of readers. Bill veeck 19141986 brought a flamboyant, fanoriented entrepreneurship to his ownership of the cleveland indians, the st. Bill veeck, american professional baseball club executive and owner, who introduced many innovations in promotion. He broke new ground of a different sort by signing larry doby in 1947 to be the first. The story of the remarkable fulllife of this pioneering baseball character is told with the steadiness, detail and flare that we have come to expect from paul dickson, the premier allstar writer and reporter.
Baseballs greatest maverick by paul dickson 2012, hardcover at the best online prices at. The autobiography of bill veeck ebook written by bill veeck, ed linn. His classic autobiography, written with the talented sportswriter ed linn, is an uproarious book packed with information about the history of baseball and tales of. He was an actor, known for the kid from cleveland 1949, the way it was 1974 and person to person 1953. As owner and team president of the indians in 1947, veeck signed larry doby, thus beginning the integration of the. Bill veeck was born on february 9, 1914 in chicago, illinois, usa as william louis veeck jr. The late bill veeck was a hall of fame baseball owner, character and all around great guy. Best sellers gift ideas new releases deals store coupons. He was the colorful owner of the chicago white sox twice, the cleveland indians where he. Bill veeck this is a game to be savored, not gulped. But beyond the flash, legendary owner bill veecks openminded approach brought positive changes to the game of baseball. Veeck as in wreck by bill veeck and ed linn 1962 baseball is a lot less fun without promomeister veeck, who recounts the eureka moments behind the exploding scoreboard, the pinchhitting midget and the contortionist first base coach.
Why did it take so long for the most colorful and perhaps most influential figure in baseball history to get a definitive biography. Buy thirty tons a day by bill veeck, ed linn online at alibris. He was best known for his flamboyant publicity stunts, and the innovations he brought to the league during his ownership of the cleveland indians, st. Bill veeck and james thurber the literary origins of the midget pinch hitter jim tootle.
Veeck, who has been enshrined in the baseball hall of fame, was of a rare breed. Baseballs first bill veeck society for american baseball. Reviews bill veeck, in the language of the subject, is a homeruna bases clearer. The result is a biography that newcomers to the veeck legend are likely to find immensely appealing, but one that also makes him new again for those who have. Todaymore than a quarter century after his deathamericas pastime will never be the same. Sports illustrated june 7 1965 cassius clay muhammed ali vs sonny liston on cover, jimmy clark wins indy indianapolis 500, chicago white sox vs new york yankees, bill veeck on moving milwaukee braves to. Jan 03, 1986 bill veeck, the baseball impresario who once sent a midget to bat as a pinchhitter for the st. Mar 08, 2015 the late bill veeck was a hall of fame baseball owner, character and all around great guy.
Veeck wrote three autobiographical works, each a collaboration with journalist ed linn. The result is a biography that newcomers to the veeck legend are likely to find immensely appealing, but one that also makes him new again for those. He was the colorful owner of the chicago white sox twice, the cleveland indians where he nabbed a world. The life and times of an american legend we knew bill veeck was the baron of ballyhoo. He is best remembered for the innovations he brought to the game and for his publicity stunts that brought fans to the ball park.
The first two were reissued in updated editions in the 1980s following veecks return to baseball ownership. Louis browns uniform, the opposing catcher having just caught a pitch well over. Baseballs greatest maverick by paul dickson 2012, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Veeck was at various times the owner of the cleveland indians, st. Bill veeck, the baseball impresario who once sent a midget to bat as a pinchhitter for the st. This weeks nonfiction book of the week is veeck as in wreck. Paul dicksons breezy style illuminates not only the bill veeck of legend, but also the real bill veeck who worked hard at his craft even as he honed to a fine art. February 9, 1914 january 2, 1986, also known as sport shirt bill, was an american major league baseball franchise owner and promoter. The autobiography of bill veeck, bill veeck with ed linn is published by university of chicago press. New york mets, new york yankees comments on this entry are closed throwback thursday aka, links. Louis browns, died yesterday in chicago at the age of 71 after a 45year career as one of the most.
His autobiography, written with the talented sportswriter ed linn, is an uproarious book packed with baseball history and some of the most entertaining stories in all of sports literature. One outstanding question hangs over paul dicksons new biography, bill veeck, baseballs greatest maverick. The list includes many of the bestknown titles as assessed by writers, critics, and other baseball savants. Louis browns owner bill veeck s use of midget pinch hitter eddie gaedel as the number one event in this category. Bill veeck is one of the most interesting, and odd, men to ever work in sports. The most significant historical content in thh is fully contained in chapter 11. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Bill veeck was owner of the chicago white sox until he was forced by illness to sell his holdings in 1961. Louis crowd for a toast to his new teams future success.
Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. When bill was four, his father, sportswriter william veeck sr. Baseballs greatest maverick is a very fine baseball biography that compares with the best work that has been published on the leaders of the sport over the years. Bill veecks oneman carnival came blaring into chicago on march 10, 1959. Bill veeck revisits a golden age for baseball, a pivotal time for america and some hilarious moments in the life of a man who helped to change both. Baseballs greatest maverick is among the few great biographies set in sports. Veeck as in wreck the autobiography of bill veeck, sports classics by bill veeck and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Mike veecks boring, derivative book about business and baseball. Baseballs greatest maverick incorporates the picaresque anecdotes and populist charm of veecks memoirs into a narrative marked by mr. He always gave fans what they wanted, even if that was, in one case, a fireeating pelican. Veeck was just four years old when his father, sportswriter william veeck, sr.
The literary origins of the midget pinch hitter jim tootle in an endofthecentury list of baseballs most unusual and unforgettable moments, the editors of the sporting news selected st. Bill veeck was a maverick, a visionary, and a showman extraordinaire. His classic autobiography, written with the talented sportswriter ed linn, is an uproarious book packed with information about the history of baseball and tales of players and owners, including some of the most entertaining stories in all of sports literature. Mention the name bill veeck to a baseball fan and what will likely come to mind is the backandwhite image of threefoot, seveninch eddie gaedel at the plate of a major league game, swimming in his st. The autobiography of bill veeck, and thirty tons a day.
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