Signature Seasons

This work recreates for the reader the best of the best, at their best. The author devotes a chapter each to the most memorable season of some of baseball’s greatest players: Christy Mathewson (1908), Ty Cobb (1911), Babe Ruth (1921), Rogers Hornsby (1922), George Sisler (1922), Hack Wilson (1930), Jimmie Foxx (1932), Dizzy Dean (1934), Lou Gehrig (1936), Hank Greenberg (1937), Ted Williams (1941), Bob Feller (1946), Stan Musial (1948), Joe DiMaggio (1948) and Jackie Robinson (1949).

The late Paul Warburton (March 11, 1953–October 9, 2011) was a claims specialist in Rhode Island. A former sportswriter, he had five short stories published in the Society for American Baseball Research annuals, The National Pastime and The Baseball Research Journal.

Paul Warburton
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 264
Bibliographic Info: 15 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2010
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4655-1
eISBN: 978-0-7864-5773-1
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      ix

Preface      1

1. Matty Was Master of Them All: Christy Mathewson in 1908      5

2. Detroit’s Wildcat at His Peak: Ty Cobb in 1911      25

3. The Babe at His Best: Babe Ruth in 1921      40

4. The Mighty Rajah: Rogers Hornsby in 1922      56

5. The Sizzler and His Browns: George Sisler in 1922      68

6. How to Drive in 191 Runs: Hack Wilson in 1930      81

7. The Beast of the White Elephants: Jimmie Foxx in 1932      97

8. Mr. Dean at His Dizziest: Dizzy Dean in 1934      112

9. Larrupin’ Lou and McCarthy’s Bombers: Lou Gehrig in 1936      128

10. The Motor City’s Big RBI Man: Hank Greenberg in 1937      144

11. Boston’s Kid Bats .406: Ted Williams in 1941      157

12. Rapid Robert’s Triumphant Return: Bob Feller in 1946      172

13. The Pride of the Redbirds: Stan Musial in 1948      184

14. The Great DiMag: Joe DiMaggio in 1948      199

15. Jackie’s MVP Season: Jackie Robinson in 1949      214

Chapter Notes      231

Bibliography      239

Index      243