America’s Pastime

From the Lampert Library

library baseball5It’s March and many a young man or woman’s fancy turns to America’s pastime, baseball. For decades the spring and summer games consumed Americans whether they listened on the radio, watched on TV, or sat in the stadium’s stands.

Pick-up games abounded, small town summer celebrations often included a game and  amateur leagues spanned ages, ethnicities, and talent.

Baseball played a part in the Americanization of Jewish-and other- immigrants who learned to speak a common language as they cheered for their favorite teams.

Fans can be passionate about the game: there are those who never forgave the Dodgers or the Giants their move west. Transplanted Bostonians still root for their “home team,” the Red Sox.

Jewish players, managers and sportscasters all played their part in the story of America’s favorite sport.

What follows is a selection of baseball related books available in the Lampert Library. Most focus on the best known figures: Greenberg and Koufax. But there were Jewish baseball pioneers much early than those two.

J indicates books for young readers. Remember kids’ books aren’t just for kids.

library baseball2Berkow, Hank Greenberg: Hall of Fame slugger is the first Jewish player elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. There is also an adult biography by the same author. (JBIOG)

Cohen, Matzoh Balls and Baseballs shares the hidden history of modern Jewish baseball players.

Cohen, Thank You, Jackie Robinson when an unhappy Jewish boy bonds with an African American baseball fan to form a deep friendship in late 1940s Brooklyn. (JFIC)

library baseball1Davidoff, The Catcher was a Spy: the mysterious life of Moe Berg tells the life of the brilliant -he spoke nine languages – Princeton grad, World War II OSS spy and major league baseball player.

Greenberg, Hank Greenberg: the story of my life is a posthumously published autobiography of the baseball great whose home run record almost equaled Babe Ruth’s  despite a 5 year hiatus of military service during World War II.

Grey, Moe Berg, the Spy Behind Home Plate was a player whose linguistic talents helped in the atomic race during World War II. (JBIOG)

Hammill,  Snow in August is the story of an unlikely friendship between a refugee rabbi and a  neighborhood Catholic boy who bond over  baseball. Mystic, emotional, mesmerizing.

library baseball3Hopkinson, Girl Wonder: a baseball story in nine innings is a stirring fictionalized tale of Alta Weiss who at age 17 in 1907 was the first female to pitch in a semi-pro game. (JFIC)

Konigsburg, About the B’nai Bagels, a classic baseball story, features Mark whose mother becomes team manager. (JFIC)

Kurlansky, Hank Greenberg: the hero who didn’t want to be one was one of the first players to challenge Babe Ruth’s homer record but he’s remembered most for the game he sat  out.

library baseball6Leavy, Sandy Koufax: a lefty’s legacy, written by an award winning sport writer, explains why the legendary player dropped out.

McDonough  Hammerin’ Hank: the life of Hank Greenberg tells the life of one of first superstars. The folk art illustrations make this book stand out.  (JBIOG)

library baseball4Michaelson   Lipman Pike: America’s First Homerun King is the story of an early (1850s) Jewish baseball hero. Great art. Sydney Taylor Notable book (JBIOG)

Rosengren, Hank Greenberg: the hero of heroes sets Greenberg’s life in the context of the times.

Ruttman, American Jews and America’s Game: voices of a growing legacy in baseball includes interviews with players, managers and fans.

Sommer, Hammerin’ Hank Greenberg; baseball pioneer uses archival photographs to enhance the story of the baseball great’s life. Sydney Taylor Honor Book. (J)

Winter, You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax? catches the reader right away with its spectacular cover. (J)

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