Though they never led the league in double plays turned, and though at times they actively disliked one another, Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, and Frank Chance of the Chicago Cubs have for decades been called one of the greatest, most colorful and most memorable double-play combinations of all time. But their places in the Hall of Fame have been disputed by some who believe their reputation rests with a piece of Franklin P. Adams doggerel.
This triple biography of Tinker, Evers, and Chance covers each man’s career and life before and after baseball, giving special attention to their relationship on and off the field. The author also considers the trio’s induction into the Hall of Fame in 1946 and examines the arguments made on both sides of the debate.

SABR member Gil Bogen is a retired psychiatrist. He is the author of several books about the Chicago Cubs and Cubs players. He lives in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Gil Bogen
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 272
Bibliographic Info: 60 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2003
pISBN: 978-0-7864-1681-3
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      vii
Introduction      1

1. The Early Years      5
2. Getting Started      27
3. Turnaround      37
4. Getting Ready      53
5. The Glory Years      65
6. Downhill      115
7. Good News and Bad      121
8. Adrift      129
9. Landing on Foreign Shores      145
10. Trying to Hang On      167
11. Goodbye to the Game      181
12. Hectic Years      191
13. Difficulty in Staying Afloat      203
14. Still Plugging Away      213
15. Together Again      221
16. Conclusion      235

Notes      241
Bibliography      251
Index      257

• Finalist, Larry Ritter Book Award—SABR
• “A first-rate job…rare and wonderful photographs…the book is well-organized and has a nice flow”—Nine
• “A pleasant read”—SABR Deadball Committee Newsletter
• “Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance is one of the most famous double-play combinations in baseball history…a feisty trio”—Pioneer Press
• “Full of photos and facts”—Orlando Sentinel
• “Captures the flavor of a long-passed baseball time”—Lerner Times
• “A home run with Tinker, Evers and Chance…compelling…a good read.”—Jon Miller, Field Representative, U.S. Congressman Ric Keller, 8th Congressional District, Florida.