The Players League

After talks with baseball’s owners broke down in the fall of 1889, some of the greatest players of the day jumped their contracts and declared open revolt against the American Association and National League. Tired of life under the hated reserve clause, which bound players to their teams and left them with no bargaining power, John Montgomery Ward and some 140 others set out to form a rival major league. The Players League would last only a season and end quite badly for both the players and the American Association, which folded a year later; but as a representation of the first major battle between the players and owners, the league occupies an important place in baseball history.
This remarkably comprehensive book opens with an historical introduction to the league, including detailed information about its origins and failure. A biographical dictionary follows, with entries for every player in the league’s brief tenure and additional profiles of prominent players who chose not to dignify the revolt with their participation. Profiles of the teams are also included.

The late Ed Koszarek lived in El Paso, Texas.

Ed Koszarek
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 384
Bibliographic Info: bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2006
pISBN: 978-0-7864-2079-7
eISBN: 978-1-4766-0918-8
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      vi

Preface      1

1. Plaid “Ditters”: Swells and Blokes      3

2. ’Ot and Spicy Entertainment      27

3. Traveling “On the Continong” and at Home      73

4. “By Jingo”: Protecting the Homeland      104

5. The Blues: Women and ’Arry      145

6. Finale      177

Bibliography      189

Index      195

Winner, Sporting News–SABR Baseball Research Award
“[the story of the Players League] is painstakingly chronicled”—Sports Collectors Digest; “Koszarek’s diligent research provides interesting tidbits to be learned about various players. For those who want to get their hands on everything having to do with the Players’ League or who have a penchant for baseball statistics, this book can be recommended”—Swans Commentary.