Full Description
Until 1947, professional ball players were paid only from opening day to season's end. Even during the season, a lot of their expenses came out of their own pockets. Even the best-paid players had trouble making ends meet. One answer to their money woes was barnstorming--tours out of season. Cities lacking their own major league teams were happy to host big-league players for such events, as well as for special exhibition games whose proceeds sometimes went to local charities.
Here is a history of barnstorming and exhibition games from 1901 (when both of the two current major leagues began operating) through 1962 (when a team led by Willie Mays was unsuccessful in its attempt at a tour, signaling an end to true barnstorming). Decade by decade, it covers the teams, the games, and the players for a detailed look at how barnstorming and exhibition brought big-league baseball to the backyard ballparks of America.
Contents
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction: The 200 Days
Prologue
1. Barnstorming Tours and Exhibition Games, 1901-1909
2. Barnstorming Tours and Exhibition Games, 1910-1919
3. Barnstorming Tours and Exhibition Games, 1920-1929
4. Barnstorming Tours and Exhibition Games, 1930-1939
5. Barnstorming Tours and Exhibition Games, 1940-1949
6. Barnstorming Tours and Exhibition Games, 1950-1962
Afterword
Appendix A: Major Leaguers Appearing in Exhibition Games
Appendix B: Exhibition Games, 1901-1962
Appendix C: Major Leaguers Appearing in Barnstorming Games
Appendix D: Barnstorming Games, 1901-1962
Appendix E: Letter from the Commissioner
Bibliography
Index
