Full Description
Bursting onto the scene as a 20-year-old rookie, Arky Vaughan quickly established himself as the next great Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop. In 1935 his .385 batting average eclipsed even that of the immortal Honus Wagner, who was a steadying influence for Vaughan during his 10 seasons with the Pirates. Vaughan never hit under .300 with Pittsburgh and his versatility later made him an asset to the Brooklyn Dodgers. One of the quietest men in baseball, the nine-time All-Star eschewed the limelight but received plenty of attention for his on-field performance, for his one-man mutiny against Brooklyn manager Leo Durocher, and for walking away from the game to take care of his family and his beloved ranch during World War II. Drawing on dozens of articles, personal writings, recorded interviews and his daughter's unpublished biography, this book covers the life and career of an often overlooked Hall of Famer who died in a tragic boating accident at age 40.
Contents
Table of Contents
Preface
1. Where It All Started
2. The Early Years
3. Hard Times in Pittsburgh
4. Hittin' Up a Storm
5. Falling Just Short
6. Closing Out the Decade
7. Walking the Plank
8. A New Home in Brooklyn
9. Mutiny in Flatbush
10. Leaving and Returning
11. Calling It Quits
12. Tragedy and Triumph
13. His Place in History
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
