Full Description
The players of the independent Carolina League were outlaws. A diverse lot that included preachers and ex-cons, with many former and future Major Leaguers, they played ball during the desperate years of the Great Depression, when half of organized professional baseball's minor leagues went broke and ceased operations. Despite the number of defaulting leagues and teams, the players were held to their prior contracts, and many found themselves unemployed, unable to play without violating the reserve clause that bound them to their previous club. The threat of being blackballed by organized baseball notwithstanding, hundreds of players went to bat for the independent Carolina League, and their stories offer unique glimpses into the pastime's--and America's--most difficult years.
This follow-up to the immensely popular and award-winning The Independent Carolina Baseball League, 1936-1938 (McFarland, 1999) takes the story of outlaw baseball into extra innings, offering a wealth of previously unpublished interviews with the key players and personnel associated with the league. With outstanding coverage of nearly 20 players, including the notorious Edwin Collins "Alabama" Pitts and well-known Lawrence Columbus "Crash" Davis, this book also offers the unique perspectives of umpires, journalists and players' wives. Appendices include a Pitts family history, the Kannapolis Towelers team record book, player records, and the history of the Carolina Victory League.
Contents
Table of Contents
Epigraph
Acknowledgments viii
Preface by Tim Peeler
Introduction
1. The Judge: Clement Manley Llewellyn
2. The Preacher: Glenn Allen "Razz" Miller
3. The Slugger: Norman Woodnut Small
4. Cause Célèbre: Edwin Collins "Alabama" Pitts
5. The Showman: Charles M. "Struttin' Bud" Shaney
6. The Manager: Bobby Hipps
7. A Gang of Two
The Forgotten: Richard Grey Clarke
The Scout: Edwin "Cy" Williams
8. The Brain: Richard Broadus Culler
9. The Wives
Winnie Taylor
Edna Carrier
10. The Star: Lawrence Columbus "Crash" Davis
11. The Pro: Lee Ravon "Buck" Ross
12. The Phenom: George Barley
13. The Truth: Ulmont Baker
14. Umpires
15. The Canadian Tornado: Vince Barton
16. Mr. Henry: William Henry Whitley
17. Home Boys
Who's on First?: Frank Hopkins
Brother: Marvin Watts
The Sandlapper: Houston Hines
18. Rebels
The Pitcher: Tracey Hitchner
The Tramp Athlete: Robert Merritt "Pat" Shores
The Batboy: Harold Lail
Appendix A: Pitts Family History by Myrtice Ann Carr
Appendix B: Henry Whitley's Team Record Book
Appendix C: Selected Batting and Pitching Statistics
Appendix D: The Carolina Victory League
Bibliography
Index
