Baseball in the 1950s comes to life through the words of 92 players from the fifties. In their conversations with author Gene Fehler, they tell, in more than a thousand stories and comments, of memorable moments, their dealings with umpires and managers, injuries and trades that affected their careers, regrets and joys that still remain with them so many years later.
Players spoken to include Hall of Famers, All Stars, journeymen, and a few who were in the big leagues for the proverbial cup of coffee. Regardless of stature, they all have wonderful stories to tell about big league life in the 1950s, high and low, and moments with other players.

Gene Fehler is the author of 12 books, including three poetry collections from McFarland. He still plays baseball with one of his grown sons in The Great American Pastime Baseball League in Simpsonville, South Carolina, trying to baffle hitters with his slow curve. His website is www.genefehler.com.

Gene Fehler
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 280
Bibliographic Info: appendix, index
Copyright Date: 2012
pISBN: 978-0-7864-7065-5
eISBN: 978-0-7864-9308-1
Imprint: McFarland

Table of Contents


Preface   1

One. When It All Begins   3

Two. Minor Leagues and War Years   12

Three. Men in Blue   38

Four. Playing Fields   49

Five. Skippers   61

Six. Joe and Mickey, Ted and Stan   82

Seven. The First Time   95

Eight. I Remember Him!   103

Nine. Swinging the Lumber   133

Ten. The Hurlers   145

Eleven. A Little Bit of Money   164

Twelve. Now That Was a Moment!   170

Thirteen. Trades   198

Fourteen. Injuries   208

Fifteen. Outside the Lines   219

Sixteen. Team Play   229

Seventeen. Endings, Wishes, Regrets and Joys   243

Appendix: The Players   257

Index   267