The Deadball Period (1901-1920) is a baseball fan’s fantasy. Wish and despair, innocence and cynicism, and levity and hostility blended then to generate an air of excitement, anticipation, and concern for many who came into the confines of a major league ballpark. Cheating for the sake of victory earned respect, corrupt ballplayers fixed video games with impunity, and assault plagued the activity.

At the same time, endearing practices infused baseball with lightheartedness, kindness, and laughter. Fans ran about Stories from the Deadball Era: Ty Cobb, House Operate Baker, Shoeless Joe Jackson, as well as the Wildest Times in Baseball History onto the field with baskets of flowers, loving mugs, and cash because of their favorite players in the middle of video games. Ballplayers volunteered for ‘benefit contests’ to aid fellow big leaguers and the united states in situations of want. ‘Joke video games’ reduced sport to genuine theater as outfielders intentionally dropped take a flight balls, infielders gladly booted easy grounders, hurlers tossed soft pitches over the middle of the dish, and umpires ignored the rules. Winning meant nothing, amusement meant everything, and little league officials looked the other method.

Mark Halfon highlights the strategies, underhanded tactics, and bitter battles that defined this storied time in football history, even though providing detailed insights into the players and groups involved in getting to a summary this remarkable period in football history.