My all time favorite baseball book along with Robert Creamers Babe . After reading this book in high school I sought out Smokey Joe Wood who was living in New Haven CT not far from us in Rhode Island . I was 15 years old at the time . Wood and I exchanged letters and at one point I called him on the phone . When my father found out he asked me who this Joe Wood was in New Haven . I told him that he was a pitcher on the 1912 Red Sox . My father then perked up and said "you mean Smokey Joe Wood?" I said "yes ". He then said "your grandfather used to tell me stories about him when I was a little boy" . So my father picked up the phone and called Wood himself and asked if he received visitors to his New Haven home . Wood said "yes" . So we scheduled a visit to see him . It's something I will never forget. We got lost on the way there so my father asked a New Haven policeman how do we find Marvel Road . The police officer asked if we were looking for Joe Wood and my Dad said "yes" So the officer led us there . We met with Joe Wood for a couple of hours . It was a thrill for me and I'll never forget it
I went to Cooperstown with my sons about 10 years ago. I was in the museum book store, looking for "just the right book" as a memento of our day together. I was looking for around 30 minutes. Apparently one of the clerks was watching me scour through the vast, almost overwhelming supply of books to choose from. The Glory of Their Times caught my eye. Silly me, I had never heard of it. Anyway, this young clerk approaches me as I'm leafing through the pages and whispers, "You've got the right one."She was right. I've read that marvelous book countless times over the years. What a joy for a baseball fan. And a shoutout for that clerk, who was obviously working in the right place.
Ty and Honus got along very well with each other, with the Dutchman (Wagner's parents were actually immigrants from Prussia) receiving invitations to come down to Georgia to hunt and fish. Cobb called Wagner the greatest ballplayer who ever lived, high praise indeed.
What a difference..my father was ten when he went to seventh game of the 1934 world series, between the cards and the tigers, at Briggs stadium, Detroit. He saw Dizzy Dean pitch. My dad passed in 2008, at 86. I remember him telling me years prior, how the game has changed, and he was right. Miss you dad...
It's been a long time since I've heard Briggs stadium they changed it to Tiger stadium it was a sad day when they tore down that stadium there was a lot of history there TyCobb SamCrawford and so many more
Did he ever talk about the fruit being thrown during that game? There is a old recording of it if you are interested in hearing it. The quality isn't great, but it is cool that it does exist.
Was still Navin Field in 1934 (not Briggs Stadium until 1938; Tiger Stadium in 1961). But your Dad saw Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis remove St Louis Cardinals LFer, Ducky Medwick, from the game for his own protection. The Tigers were getting pelted 11-0 in game 7, so Tiger fans decided to return the favor and pelt Medwick with rotten fruit.
Back when baseball was great! No stuck up cry baby millionaires! Just real men! No steroids just pure talent! Back when players would walk down the street and act like a regular joe. Man I wish I could have been there 😢
This is absolutely the best baseball book ever. If hearing the voices here wasn't good enough, please pick it up and read it. The stories told by the old ball players go into much greater detail and they are excellent.
Honus' hands were so huge that he could cover the ball entirely. Greatest SS and all-around player of his age. He also opened a sporting goods store in the Triangle in Pittsburgh after retiring and it quickly became a Pittsburgh institution. I bought my centennial jersey there the last time I was in Pittsburgh in 1987.
Honus had a number of business ventures, including a newfangled invention--the automobile. He tried the movies, too, although his film(s) are lost. None of his projects were very successful, in the long run. But there was always a place for him with "my Bucs".
I read somewhere that when he'd rifle the ball to 1st base after fielding a grounder, little pebbles and sand would follow in the balls wake, like the tail of a comet.....
This is probably the best baseball documentary ever made, with the voices of the actual players. Dates from 1966, I believe. Alexander Scourby narrates.
Baseball was so fascinating back then! I could listen to their stories all day. Today's baseball is boring and too big business. It's money first & ball playing 2nd. There are no interesting characters, either. Most seem to be cookie cutter types.
Hi Dani..Just the way I feel...I watch a lot of the old shows on History of Baseball..when we grew up it was great too. Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, all those guys of that time. However the 1900's has such a nostalgic feel and something special I cannot describe. It's a longing feeling for things we never really knew, but fell pulled toward.... Peace from TX.
I know I've read the book at least thrice and I've watched this video at least twice. I would not have wanted to live during those times, but I sure enjoy the stories....
@@jacksmith5692 Read Ball 4 and told 7th grade pals about Joe Schultz's fondness for Budweiser: "Gelnar was telling us about this great conversation he had with Joe on the mound. There were a couple of guys on and [the Tigers] Tom Matchick was up. 'Any particular way you want me to pitch him, Joe?,' Gelnar asked. 'Nah, bleep him,' Joe Schultz said. 'Give him some low smoke and we’ll go and pound some Budweiser.'" Hilarious. Apropos too: Matchick couldn't hit a lick.
They also didn’t throw 100 all game long with endless relievers all better than the next , or minorities . Let’s not act like they wouldn’t get their shit pushed in today 🤓🤣
I’ve been watching baseball over 50 years and never liked dead ball era until I started reading some books about it a few years back and now I love it. I hate what baseball has become now.
Smokey Joe Wood hurt his arm in 1915 and came back as an outfielder for Cleveland from 1918 through 1922. By the way, if Walter Johnson calls you the fastest pitcher on the planet YOU ARE THE FASTEST PITCHER ON THE PLANET
God, I've grown to love the game. Sometimes it takes time to appreciate things. Born in 1957, I did play pick-up games in a small town in central PA in the 70s. We picked up sides each time. Sometimes 3 players on a side; sometimes 12. Can't say I was the best player, but I hit a homerun or two. Thanks for posting this. -- CDL.
A lot of people are indifferent to baseball these days and I understand why. Still, I got to play Little League for three years, played schoolyard and street ball, tried to make my high school team. I grew up on the St Louis Cardinals of the 60's. I was hooked. Later, I read "Five Seasons" and "The Glory of Their Times." I became drawn to the numbers and the stories behind them - became a Bill James fan. Today, I'm not keen on going to games, watching them, or listening to them. I revisit the numbers from time to time. But baseball is my game and always will be. Thanks for your comment.
This has the greatest ending line I've ever seen in a docu-series. Before the narrator's closing statement to summarize it all, the reference to Babe Ruth was flawless: "Wait 'til you see him hit!" It's excellent because it segues into the next era of Major League Baseball. Baseball doesn't become the national pastime until the 1920s when Babe Ruth goes to New York, and Yankees management allowed him to swing the bat everyday instead of only batting on the days he was the starting pitcher the way the Red Sox used him. Baseball doesn't become "America's game" until Babe Ruth swings a bat on a daily basis. You can not understate the impact Babe Ruth had on not only the game of baseball, but on all American pro sports in general. For the first time in our country's history, professional athletes could become rich, inspiring celebrities with fanbases of their own as individuals instead of fandom being limited to the city and team overall. The overwhelming majority of baseball fans in the 1920-30s were not New York Yankees fans. In fact, if you were a baseball fan back then it was only because you had a nearby team of your own who drew you in to gave your city/state something to be proud of. However, nearly everyone (excluding Boston, I'm sure) were Babe Ruth fans. They weren't Yankees fans; they were Babe Ruth fans. That was totally unprecedented at the time. Seriously, the guy changed EVERYTHING. Which is why this is such a perfect ending: What comes next in baseball's timeline is the modern era, and it was ushered in on the sweet spot of Babe Ruth's bat.
I disagree. This entire video showed that baseball was the national pastime before Babe Ruth. Presidents threw out first balls. Crowds overflowed at times to the point when they sat near the base paths or behind outfield ropes. The video showed people in trees watching a ballgame. The video shows newspapers putting game results on the front page. World War I, the 1918 Spanish flu, and the Black Sox scandal contributed to a flagging of interest. I agree with you that the arrival of Ruth in NY invigorated the sport to a higher level of national interest.
When my Uncle Dave died in @1970, my Aunt Julia gave me this book from his library. I’ve read it many times over the years. I’m a baseball fan to this day. This book is a treasured possession.
This video is priceless I remember seeing it on PBS in I think the early 1970's. Wahoo Sam Crawford what a great interview. This is why I love reading about baseball's early years. I also collect a few T206 cards of these players
My Dads family is from Pittsburg & my Grandpa who was born in 1913 said one of his Aunts dated Honus Wagner for a time. I was a baseball freak growing up & the early 1900's were my favorite era , Thanks for uploading this I never saw it before.
Love this book! I've got the audio book with these, and other, original recordings. Also have the record that was sold in the late 60s/early 70s. Research proves some of the recollections are off on some things, but we are all guilty of making some mistakes in our memories. Overall, this is a priceless work of love that Larry Ritter put together. This book, singlehandedly, is what gave me my passion for baseball history.
Great stories about Charles "Victory" Faust and Bugs Raymond. The best character in the dead ball era was George "Rube" Waddell. He was also the top strike-out pitcher in those days. Wish they made a movie about him and his antics.
So, so true. Rookies shouldn't be rushed through college getting their grades for free to have them be moneyshitters for rich suckers as fast as possible. The game is for the people made by the people. Hans Wagner is the greatest ballplayer of all time. Teach them kids their manners!
This is great. To hear these men talk, men who actually played in this era, so excellent. One thing is how positive each man speaks of the other. Describing each other as a gentleman or fine. We’re so negative and hateful and miserable today.
I played as a kid. I LOVED baseball.... but then life began and other things came along. This is a wonderful reminder of my youth and the history of the game I have always loved. Thank you for this post. What a great game.
The gloves of the era were small and thin enough as it was. But Honus Wagner, arguably the greatest shortstop who ever lived, would cut the palm out of his, for greater control. Like barehanding the ball on every play. His career lasted from 1897 to 1917, with many exhibition games after that.
The guy to the left of Fred Snodgrass in the Giants' team picture (shown at 33:24) is none other than Jim Thorpe. He played for them for three season beginning in 1913.
Why is there no mention of Cy Young. He holds MLB records for the most career wins, with 511, along with most career innings pitched, games started, and complete games. Played 1890-1911. The best pitcher of the year award is named after him.
Such fun. The mushy gloves, the imposing uniforms the appealing language. Maybe there's a dusty curiosity shop with a cheap time machine. A line drive in 1906.
Underrated? Honus Wagner is the greatest shortshop in baseball history and one of the first 5 players inducted in the HoF. He's not underrated by any stretch of the imagination.
Ty Cobb won a triple crown during the dead ball era. Pitchers never worried about pitch count either. That makes them smarter than anyone pitching today.
So TRUE Michael ! I'm 58 and see THE SAME, SAD SCENES all the time ! When I was a kid I LIVED on the local ballfield playing pick up games from early morning til dinner time EVERYDAY during the summer ! Now kids are just a bunch of COUCH POTATOES with their FANCY phones and computers . Fucking SAD - that's the only way to describe it !!
This is what makes baseball so special,its the only game where the players live forever-gotta get that My 30 Years in baseball by John McGraw,bet its a lively read eh
I'm 60 years old now and I can remember as a child my grandfather comparing the differences in baseball from my youth, to his youth which is covered in this documentary. Two of the things he spoke about concerned endurance of pitchers (pitching two complete games of a double header and many of those of my day unable to complete 9 innings). The second thing, about how much tougher players were during his era. He said "We used to cut a hole in the center of the glove." While I had never doubted what he said to be true I had never heard anyone else mentioning that fact until now by Fred Snodgrass.
I love this era of baseball and how much it intertwined with America at the time. Would like to write a historical fiction story about this subject one day. Probably wouldn’t sell well to the current generation but it would be fun to write.
This is a testimonium of a Time. It's marvelous to learn things that actual Baseball lacks or vanishes. Love for the game. This documentary is very interesting for whom love the game in other country because provide us knowledge of beginnins of baseball and some of the players and characters in early twenty century.
True story, my grandmothers brother, my great uncle, Bob Baker, who in the mid to late 80's still lived on and worked the family farm he was born on in 1916, and was asked about possibly having the Costner movie Field Of Dreams done on his farm in Wisconsin. They ended up shooting the movie on a farm in Indiana I believe, but for a while it looked like it might be shot there. He died a week before he would have turned one hundred, but his older sister, my great aunt Betty just turned 104. The youngest brother is 99, and my grandmother was the oldest, born 1-11-11 and she died just before turning 98. Her dad my great grandpa Baker died when I was 6 at age 94, in 1974. I remember it well too because I was a huge Evil Kneival fan and it was around the same time as the Snake River jump. This film is great and what to me is so great about these great ball players, is the way they seem to truly love the game. What many ppl are missing these days IMO is a great appreciation for just being alive like ppl sure seemed to have at the turn of the century well into the golden age!
Don't doubt that someone scouting out filming locations for Field of Dreams would have approached him but I'd have to doubt his farm was ever seriously considered for being the primary filming location of the movie or looked at as anything more than a possible backup filming location. Field of Dreams was set in Iowa and other than the scene at Fenway and some scenes filmed in Dubuque, Iowa and Galena, Illinois, the whole thing was filmed in and around Dyersville, Iowa which is just west of Dubuque on Highway 20 and not far from the Wisconsin border. Unless they were looking to film in another state for financial reasons(some states give better tax breaks,) there would have been no reason to film in Wisconsin that I can think of. It's not like the weather would have been better in Wisconsin than in Iowa or that they would have been closer to any major cities for travel purposes if you're anywhere in the western part of Wisconsin.
Kept among my Dad's family items is what I would call a personality book where you have each of your friends write down answers to the same 50 questions. My Dad's mom and dad were not yet married but his mom was who made the book. She was from New Castle PA already working as a nurse at a hospital in Youngstown Ohio and my Dad's father lived in nearby Warren Ohio. One of the questions asked was to name your favorite ballplayer. Most answered it was Honus Wagner. Ths book is from 1915. Thanks for placing this amazing video on UA-cam. Cards fan from STL
I grew up in the 50s near Green Bay and have followed the Pack and the game ever since. I never followed baseball. I went to one baseball game in the 50s and saw Warren Spahn pitch a shutout. The first game I watched on TV was Game 1 of the 1979 World Series; I was laying low for a bit the flu. I have to confess that I really didn't believe pitchers could throw the ball nearly as accurately as announcers would have us believe. That changed and I watched Game 2, then 3 and so on; the whole nine yards, so to speak. There was the almost side-armed Kent Tekulve, and Willie Stargell; it was quite a show. The only other game I ever watched, again just by happenstance, a guy named Gibson limped out of the locker room in the bottom of the ninth with two out and two strikes, and the bases loaded and knocked one out somewhere beyond dimension and Tony La Rouza came charging out of the dugout like the Gates of Heaven had opened before him. That is about all I know about baseball. I would have to conclude, however, that baseball must be the greatest game ever devised. That's interesting isn't it? Go Pack.
@@brileyvandyke5792 While Green Bay is certainly a modest community it has at least progressed beyond the tribal barbarism and ignorance rife in the entire shithole state of Texas. Thank you for reminding me how far we have come compared to the ignorant and the base reptilian instincts you so readily display.
read this book as a kid in the mid 1960's...and reread it in the 70's and 80's. phenomenal baseball history! too bad baseball has become so damned boring with too many whiffs, too few hitters, and colorful characters removed from the game.
My all time favorite baseball book along with Robert Creamers Babe . After reading this book in high school I sought out Smokey Joe Wood who was living in New Haven CT not far from us in Rhode Island . I was 15 years old at the time . Wood and I exchanged letters and at one point I called him on the phone . When my father found out he asked me who this Joe Wood was in New Haven . I told him that he was a pitcher on the 1912 Red Sox . My father then perked up and said "you mean Smokey Joe Wood?" I said "yes ". He then said "your grandfather used to tell me stories about him when I was a little boy" . So my father picked up the phone and called Wood himself and asked if he received visitors to his New Haven home . Wood said "yes" . So we scheduled a visit to see him . It's something I will never forget. We got lost on the way there so my father asked a New Haven policeman how do we find Marvel Road . The police officer asked if we were looking for Joe Wood and my Dad said "yes" So the officer led us there . We met with Joe Wood for a couple of hours . It was a thrill for me and I'll never forget it
How old are you and how old were you at the time of meeting Smokin' Joy Wood? Wow. What a story!
That's a wonderful story.
this is incredible.
How cool - the Vida Blue of 1912
Smoky Joe Wood lived until 1985 and passed away at the age of 95 (1889 - 1985). He played from 1908 to 1922. Great story.
I went to Cooperstown with my sons about 10 years ago. I was in the museum book store, looking for "just the right book" as a memento of our day together. I was looking for around 30 minutes. Apparently one of the clerks was watching me scour through the vast, almost overwhelming supply of books to choose from. The Glory of Their Times caught my eye. Silly me, I had never heard of it. Anyway, this young clerk approaches me as I'm leafing through the pages and whispers, "You've got the right one."She was right. I've read that marvelous book countless times over the years. What a joy for a baseball fan. And a shoutout for that clerk, who was obviously working in the right place.
Nice little tale. Cheers.
My absolute favorite baseball book. I read it every year before Spring Training.
Ty and Honus got along very well with each other, with the Dutchman (Wagner's parents were actually immigrants from Prussia) receiving invitations to come down to Georgia to hunt and fish. Cobb called Wagner the greatest ballplayer who ever lived, high praise indeed.
What a difference..my father was ten when he went to seventh game of the 1934 world series, between the cards and the tigers, at Briggs stadium, Detroit. He saw Dizzy Dean pitch. My dad passed in 2008, at 86. I remember him telling me years prior, how the game has changed, and he was right. Miss you dad...
It's been a long time since I've heard Briggs stadium they changed it to Tiger stadium it was a sad day when they tore down that stadium there was a lot of history there TyCobb SamCrawford and so many more
Did he ever talk about the fruit being thrown during that game? There is a old recording of it if you are interested in hearing it. The quality isn't great, but it is cool that it does exist.
@@superblindeye1
Interesting quote from one of the players (forget who)...
"Who brings rotten fruit to a ballgame?"
Was still Navin Field in 1934 (not Briggs Stadium until 1938; Tiger Stadium in 1961). But your Dad saw Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis remove St Louis Cardinals LFer, Ducky Medwick, from the game for his own protection. The Tigers were getting pelted 11-0 in game 7, so Tiger fans decided to return the favor and pelt Medwick with rotten fruit.
How was the game changed?
Fabulous narration by Alexander Scourby, one of the best ever.
Except he mispronounces Joe McGinnity's name.
Alexander Scourby also narrates the KJV of the Bible!! The guy has a real good voice!!
How true. What a magic voice.
@@brucecuth1951 Mispronounces Honus as well, at every opportunity.
Back when baseball was great! No stuck up cry baby millionaires! Just real men! No steroids just pure talent! Back when players would walk down the street and act like a regular joe. Man I wish I could have been there 😢
One of the proudest moments of my 74 years was playing on a championship Little League team when I was 10. I still have the trophy.
Best baseball book ever!!!!
The greatest baseball book ever written.
This is absolutely the best baseball book ever. If hearing the voices here wasn't good enough, please pick it up and read it. The stories told by the old ball players go into much greater detail and they are excellent.
I read the book it was fantastic.
runawayuniverse
H
Good book, but the author hated this movie.
@@robertewalt7789 Ritter didn't like this documentary?
Why not?
Content or copyright?
Something else??
@bob Poet Ritter did not express the reason why he didn’t like the movie.
Honus' hands were so huge that he could cover the ball entirely. Greatest SS and all-around player of his age. He also opened a sporting goods store in the Triangle in Pittsburgh after retiring and it quickly became a Pittsburgh institution. I bought my centennial jersey there the last time I was in Pittsburgh in 1987.
Honus had a number of business ventures, including a newfangled invention--the automobile. He tried the movies, too, although his film(s) are lost. None of his projects were very successful, in the long run. But there was always a place for him with "my Bucs".
You’ll bring that memory to your grave!
I read somewhere that when he'd rifle the ball to 1st base after fielding a grounder, little pebbles and sand would follow in the balls wake, like the tail of a comet.....
I cannot overemphasize the impact of this book on my love of baseball.
I'VE READ IT 3 TIMES ALREADY. EACH TIME IT GETS BETTER. WISH I HAD BEEN THERE.
A super book. Lent it to my Dad, and he told me his Dad talking about these players.
@MANCHESTER UNITED yes it is, but this is about baseball and not futbol.
Steven Travers Nor can I, sir. Best sports book PERIOD- and I've read lots of 'em. God bless America!
Same here. Bought it for a buck on sale in my university bookstore 30+ years ago and have read it at least a dozen times, if not more.
Mathewson, 3 Fingers Brown, Ed Walsh, Ty Cobb, Frank Chance: I wish I could have met these gentlemen. Baseball's pioneers.
This is probably the best baseball documentary ever made, with the voices of the actual players. Dates from 1966, I believe. Alexander Scourby narrates.
Baseball was so fascinating back then! I could listen to their stories all day. Today's baseball is boring and too big business. It's money first & ball playing 2nd. There are no interesting characters, either. Most seem to be cookie cutter types.
Hi Dani..Just the way I feel...I watch a lot of the old shows on History of Baseball..when we grew up it was great too. Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, all those guys of that time. However the 1900's has such a nostalgic feel and something special I cannot describe. It's a longing feeling for things we never really knew, but fell pulled toward.... Peace from TX.
Very well said! Peace from Ohio!
I feel the opposite. This is like a beer league today.
WAAAAAAAYYYYYY too much money involved today!!!!!
You all sound like every old person from the past 100 years
This only enhances my love for baseball...the best game... period.
Brilliant piece of work. And the wonderful voice of Alexander Scouby.
I know I've read the book at least thrice and I've watched this video at least twice. I would not have wanted to live during those times, but I sure enjoy the stories....
I've read the book about 40 times now along with Ball Four. My two favorite baseball books.
Jack smith Try Boys of Summer, Time Begins on Opening Day, and The Summer Game
The really Bad News Griffith Park Pirates (Give that one a try)
it's not the majors... but, it's a great baseball book.
@@MyRobertallen The Boys of Summer by Roger Kahn, amazing book.
@@MyRobertallen Boys of Summer was great. Thank you for the other suggestions. My Mom and late Dad were Brooklyn Dodger fans.
@@jacksmith5692 Read Ball 4 and told 7th grade pals about Joe Schultz's fondness for Budweiser: "Gelnar was telling us about this great conversation he had with Joe on the mound. There were a couple of guys on and [the Tigers] Tom Matchick was up. 'Any particular way you want me to pitch him, Joe?,' Gelnar asked. 'Nah, bleep him,' Joe Schultz said. 'Give him some low smoke and we’ll go and pound some Budweiser.'" Hilarious. Apropos too: Matchick couldn't hit a lick.
I absolutely love the dead ball era. When strategy and skill were required to win games.
Yeah, just the opposite from today's game. Back then they hit very few home runs and rarely strikeout. Too many HRs and Ks today.
Agreed.
They also didn’t throw 100 all game long with endless relievers all better than the next , or minorities . Let’s not act like they wouldn’t get their shit pushed in today 🤓🤣
I’ve been watching baseball over 50 years and never liked dead ball era until I started reading some books about it a few years back and now I love it. I hate what baseball has become now.
@@ST69
You're FullOfShit
Smokey Joe Wood hurt his arm in 1915 and came back as an outfielder for Cleveland from 1918 through 1922. By the way, if Walter Johnson calls you the fastest pitcher on the planet YOU ARE THE FASTEST PITCHER ON THE PLANET
Just finished reading Ritter's book. Loved it.
Very enjoyable; to the heroes of the game; God Bless them
I wish I had lived back then.
Today’s world is trash
the best baseball book ever
Without question, the best baseball book
Smoky Joe Wood... underrated..great nickname too..
Chris Hall its suspected he had a torn rotator cuff, can be fixed nowadays nearly in an office call
brim of baseball caps sure did grow since then
God, I've grown to love the game. Sometimes it takes time to appreciate things. Born in 1957, I did play pick-up games in a small town in central PA in the 70s. We picked up sides each time. Sometimes 3 players on a side; sometimes 12. Can't say I was the best player, but I hit a homerun or two. Thanks for posting this. -- CDL.
Chuck Lanigan Baseball = America. God shed his Grace on thee
A lot of people are indifferent to baseball these days and I understand why. Still, I got to play Little League for three years, played schoolyard and street ball, tried to make my high school team. I grew up on the St Louis Cardinals of the 60's. I was hooked.
Later, I read "Five Seasons" and "The Glory of Their Times." I became drawn to the numbers and the stories behind them - became a Bill James fan.
Today, I'm not keen on going to games, watching them, or listening to them. I revisit the numbers from time to time. But baseball is my game and always will be. Thanks for your comment.
Excellent, l enjoyed this very much. I always will Love the history of baseball...What a time it was !!
This has the greatest ending line I've ever seen in a docu-series. Before the narrator's closing statement to summarize it all, the reference to Babe Ruth was flawless:
"Wait 'til you see him hit!"
It's excellent because it segues into the next era of Major League Baseball. Baseball doesn't become the national pastime until the 1920s when Babe Ruth goes to New York, and Yankees management allowed him to swing the bat everyday instead of only batting on the days he was the starting pitcher the way the Red Sox used him. Baseball doesn't become "America's game" until Babe Ruth swings a bat on a daily basis.
You can not understate the impact Babe Ruth had on not only the game of baseball, but on all American pro sports in general. For the first time in our country's history, professional athletes could become rich, inspiring celebrities with fanbases of their own as individuals instead of fandom being limited to the city and team overall. The overwhelming majority of baseball fans in the 1920-30s were not New York Yankees fans. In fact, if you were a baseball fan back then it was only because you had a nearby team of your own who drew you in to gave your city/state something to be proud of. However, nearly everyone (excluding Boston, I'm sure) were Babe Ruth fans. They weren't Yankees fans; they were Babe Ruth fans. That was totally unprecedented at the time. Seriously, the guy changed EVERYTHING.
Which is why this is such a perfect ending: What comes next in baseball's timeline is the modern era, and it was ushered in on the sweet spot of Babe Ruth's bat.
The man who saved baseball, the babe was GREAT !!
I disagree. This entire video showed that baseball was the national pastime before Babe Ruth. Presidents threw out first balls. Crowds overflowed at times to the point when they sat near the base paths or behind outfield ropes. The video showed people in trees watching a ballgame. The video shows newspapers putting game results on the front page. World War I, the 1918 Spanish flu, and the Black Sox scandal contributed to a flagging of interest. I agree with you that the arrival of Ruth in NY invigorated the sport to a higher level of national interest.
When my Uncle Dave died in @1970, my Aunt Julia gave me this book from his library. I’ve read it many times over the years. I’m a baseball fan to this day. This book is a treasured possession.
This video is priceless I remember seeing it on PBS in I think the early 1970's. Wahoo Sam Crawford what a great interview. This is why I love reading about baseball's early years. I also collect a few T206 cards of these players
As I recall, I saw this in the 80s on a local channel
My Dads family is from Pittsburg & my Grandpa who was born in 1913 said one of his Aunts dated Honus Wagner for a time. I was a baseball freak growing up & the early 1900's were my favorite era , Thanks for uploading this I never saw it before.
Great stuff ..the book is fantastic too
One of the best baseball books ever written! This documentary, which I had seen once before, more than 35 years ago, is fabulous!
These old black and white photos are the greatest ever.
A masterpiece. A living history of the greatest age in baseball history.
Just finished this book today. Very cool read.
Juuuuuust Marvelous 🙏
Love this book! I've got the audio book with these, and other, original recordings. Also have the record that was sold in the late 60s/early 70s. Research proves some of the recollections are off on some things, but we are all guilty of making some mistakes in our memories. Overall, this is a priceless work of love that Larry Ritter put together. This book, singlehandedly, is what gave me my passion for baseball history.
I liked Ritter's recordings with Chief Meyers on the Dodger bus.
It woulda been cool to live back then, seeing all the greats of the dead ball era!
I lived back then and it was better than today
These stories are priceless. Baseball today is boring compared to this.
Yes, Indeed!!!
Great stories about Charles "Victory" Faust and Bugs Raymond. The best character in the dead ball era was George "Rube" Waddell. He was also the top strike-out pitcher in those days. Wish they made a movie about him and his antics.
So, so true. Rookies shouldn't be rushed through college getting their grades for free to have them be moneyshitters for rich suckers as fast as possible.
The game is for the people made by the people.
Hans Wagner is the greatest ballplayer of all time.
Teach them kids their manners!
nope... nope, It's pretty much spoilt
Not a Bandwagon No.
Smokey Joe Wood should be in the hall of fame!
Reading this book now!
This is great. To hear these men talk, men who actually played in this era, so excellent. One thing is how positive each man speaks of the other. Describing each other as a gentleman or fine. We’re so negative and hateful and miserable today.
I agree. Too much classless name-calling by these new age pimply-faced punkass scumbags.
Didn't sound like some of Cobb's teammates spoke too highly of him.
I played as a kid. I LOVED baseball.... but then life began and other things came along. This is a wonderful reminder of my youth and the history of the game I have always loved. Thank you for this post. What a great game.
Holy hell how did I miss this gem?
Great documentary love hearing stories about the early days of MLB.
The gloves of the era were small and thin enough as it was. But Honus Wagner, arguably the greatest shortstop who ever lived, would cut the palm out of his, for greater control. Like barehanding the ball on every play. His career lasted from 1897 to 1917, with many exhibition games after that.
@@TheBatugan77 About what am I "lying"? That Honus cut the palm out of his glove? Do you want to see a picture?
Charles Victory Faust. That is a name I never heard of but will remember from now on. This is an interesting, incredible documentary.
I prefer ice hockey but no sport has the legends that baseball produced.
I think hockey has a fair amount of it's own as well and almost as long a history where it started in Canada.
A couple of hockey pucks.
The guy to the left of Fred Snodgrass in the Giants' team picture (shown at 33:24) is none other than Jim Thorpe. He played for them for three season beginning in 1913.
we want more, we want more, we want more, we want more :)
No sport can claim a greater history than America's Past Time
Cricket,although not thought of much in American,also has a rich and colourful history.
I’m from Alaska, Hockey and it’s past time is pretty awesome. But baseball is a close 2nd 😉
@@tjanderson8800 😂
@@Lordscotia3 😂
Here, here! A GREAT, BIG, HUMONGOUS "thumb's up" for commenting what you did!!!
Why is there no mention of Cy Young. He holds MLB records for the most career wins, with 511, along with most career innings pitched, games started, and complete games. Played 1890-1911. The best pitcher of the year award is named after him.
I told them to skip Cy Young.
Deal with it.
WONDERFUL!!!!!!
So good. Thanks Bud.
Just a masterpiece! Stumpled upon this on UA-cam and it’s the reason why im a huge baseball fan today
The modern game is garbage though. Wish baseball didn't devolve as it has
Such fun. The mushy gloves, the imposing uniforms the appealing language. Maybe there's a dusty curiosity shop with a cheap time machine. A line drive in 1906.
What a great story wow! What a time to be alive.
Honus wagner most underrated player ever
Not if the price of his baseball card is any measure
Underrated? Honus Wagner is the greatest shortshop in baseball history and one of the first 5 players inducted in the HoF. He's not underrated by any stretch of the imagination.
Might be my favorite baseball book. Ball four would come in a close second.
Who would ever give this a thumbs down.
Ty Cobb won a triple crown during the dead ball era. Pitchers never worried about pitch count either. That makes them smarter than anyone pitching today.
Tell that to Smokey Joe and his dead arm at the age of 23 buddy
My favorite baseball book.
Great video that gives a glimpse into the Dead Ball era. Amazing! This is what fuels people to collect T206 baseball cards.
Money
@@tonyanthonyfowler Not everyone. Lol 🤡
A wonderful book a classic about base ball and a real piece of Americana
Do you love baseball. After reading this book I fell in love all over again.
The major difference now..I'm 60, and i run into parents with kids, and there is no pick-up games, anymore..they're busy playing with i phones
True. I played sometimes, 10 hours a day. Got punished for being late for dinner.
We played pickup games in my town from the 80-99' from the time I was a kid until I had my 1st house as an adult. Such a great time we had.
Ok Boomer
So TRUE Michael ! I'm 58 and see THE SAME, SAD SCENES all the time ! When I was a kid I LIVED on the local ballfield playing pick up games from early morning til dinner time EVERYDAY during the summer ! Now kids are just a bunch of COUCH POTATOES with their FANCY phones and computers . Fucking SAD - that's the only way to describe it !!
Lots of pick-up games of beisbol in the D.R.
RUTH, COBB,WAGNER,HORNSBY,FOXX,YOUNG,JOHNSON,GROVE-BEST EVER!
Great book.
Excellent!!
Amazing to think a documentary like this will be made in the future with current players being the old curmudgeons.
It's wonderful to hear the Giants defend Fred Merkle.
Been a long time since I've watched this. Thank you.
This is what makes baseball so special,its the only game where the players live forever-gotta get that My 30 Years in baseball by John McGraw,bet its a lively read eh
An excellent book about baseball in its early days.
This was great
Honus also loved another game, just recently invented--basketball. He played many games for charity.
That Honus Wagner picture at the end of the video is so freaking amazing!! I love that baseball card
Many years ago I read the book 'Glory of their Times'.
How fun is this. 😀 TY
I'm 60 years old now and I can remember as a child my grandfather comparing the differences in baseball from my youth, to his youth which is covered in this documentary. Two of the things he spoke about concerned endurance of pitchers (pitching two complete games of a double header and many of those of my day unable to complete 9 innings). The second thing, about how much tougher players were during his era. He said "We used to cut a hole in the center of the glove." While I had never doubted what he said to be true I had never heard anyone else mentioning that fact until now by Fred Snodgrass.
Honus Wagner cut the center out of his glove, presumably for better handling. Other players must have, as well.
Greatest sports book
Wonderful! Love baseball lore. Today, we're real lucky to have @ClaytonKersh22 and had #SandyKoufax! I know of #Walter not much of #SmokeyJoe!
.. fantastic ..
Great film
I love this era of baseball and how much it intertwined with America at the time. Would like to write a historical fiction story about this subject one day. Probably wouldn’t sell well to the current generation but it would be fun to write.
This is a testimonium of a Time. It's marvelous to learn things that actual Baseball lacks or vanishes. Love for the game. This documentary is very interesting for whom love the game in other country because provide us knowledge of beginnins of baseball and some of the players and characters in early twenty century.
I've had that book for 25 years and still love
True story, my grandmothers brother, my great uncle, Bob Baker, who in the mid to late 80's still lived on and worked the family farm he was born on in 1916, and was asked about possibly having the Costner movie Field Of Dreams done on his farm in Wisconsin. They ended up shooting the movie on a farm in Indiana I believe, but for a while it looked like it might be shot there. He died a week before he would have turned one hundred, but his older sister, my great aunt Betty just turned 104. The youngest brother is 99, and my grandmother was the oldest, born 1-11-11 and she died just before turning 98. Her dad my great grandpa Baker died when I was 6 at age 94, in 1974. I remember it well too because I was a huge Evil Kneival fan and it was around the same time as the Snake River jump. This film is great and what to me is so great about these great ball players, is the way they seem to truly love the game. What many ppl are missing these days IMO is a great appreciation for just being alive like ppl sure seemed to have at the turn of the century well into the golden age!
Don't doubt that someone scouting out filming locations for Field of Dreams would have approached him but I'd have to doubt his farm was ever seriously considered for being the primary filming location of the movie or looked at as anything more than a possible backup filming location. Field of Dreams was set in Iowa and other than the scene at Fenway and some scenes filmed in Dubuque, Iowa and Galena, Illinois, the whole thing was filmed in and around Dyersville, Iowa which is just west of Dubuque on Highway 20 and not far from the Wisconsin border. Unless they were looking to film in another state for financial reasons(some states give better tax breaks,) there would have been no reason to film in Wisconsin that I can think of. It's not like the weather would have been better in Wisconsin than in Iowa or that they would have been closer to any major cities for travel purposes if you're anywhere in the western part of Wisconsin.
Young 511 wins will never be broken.....ever
Kept among my Dad's family items is what I would call a personality book where you have each of your friends write down answers to the same 50 questions. My Dad's mom and dad were not yet married but his mom was who made the book. She was from New Castle PA already working as a nurse at a hospital in Youngstown Ohio and my Dad's father lived in nearby Warren Ohio. One of the questions asked was to name your favorite ballplayer. Most answered it was Honus Wagner. Ths book is from 1915. Thanks for placing this amazing video on UA-cam. Cards fan from STL
That Cubs mascot was terrifying.
I grew up in the 50s near Green Bay and have followed the Pack and the game ever since. I never followed baseball. I went to one baseball game in the 50s and saw Warren Spahn pitch a shutout. The first game I watched on TV was Game 1 of the 1979 World Series; I was laying low for a bit the flu. I have to confess that I really didn't believe pitchers could throw the ball nearly as accurately as announcers would have us believe. That changed and I watched Game 2, then 3 and so on; the whole nine yards, so to speak. There was the almost side-armed Kent Tekulve, and Willie Stargell; it was quite a show. The only other game I ever watched, again just by happenstance, a guy named Gibson limped out of the locker room in the bottom of the ninth with two out and two strikes, and the bases loaded and knocked one out somewhere beyond dimension and Tony La Rouza came charging out of the dugout like the Gates of Heaven had opened before him. That is about all I know about baseball. I would have to conclude, however, that baseball must be the greatest game ever devised. That's interesting isn't it? Go Pack.
Piss on Green Bay.
@@brileyvandyke5792 What a man.
@@brileyvandyke5792 While Green Bay is certainly a modest community it has at least progressed beyond the tribal barbarism and ignorance rife in the entire shithole state of Texas. Thank you for reminding me how far we have come compared to the ignorant and the base reptilian instincts you so readily display.
Pretty cool. Kept my attention the entire time with cool sound bites. Thank you.
great stuff...thanks for posting
read this book as a kid in the mid 1960's...and reread it in the 70's and 80's. phenomenal baseball history! too bad baseball has become so damned boring with too many whiffs, too few hitters, and colorful characters removed from the game.