Description
I have never been more proud of anything in my career than when I first held a published copy of my book, The League of Outsider Baseball. When I was writing it back in 2015 and deciding what players and stories to cover, my wife spoke these brilliant words: “Don’t worry about what others would like – write the book YOU want to read.” And that’s just what I did, created the baseball book I always hoped I would find on the shelf of my local bookstore.
I have a limited number of copies on my shelf and will sign and inscribe a copy for you. Just write in the in the “ORDER NOTES” section of the Check Out page what you’d like me to write and I’ll get your copy in the mail.
Here’s the publisher’s blurb: From an award-winning graphic artist and baseball historian comes a strikingly original illustrated history of baseball’s forgotten heroes, including stars of the Negro Leagues, barnstorming teams, semi-pro leagues, foreign leagues, and famous players like Shoeless Joe Jackson, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, and Sandy Koufax before they achieved notoriety. From a young age, Gary Cieradkowski had a passion for baseball’s unheralded heroes. Inspired by his father and their shared love of the sport, Cieradkowski began creating “outsider” baseball cards, as a way to tell the little-known stories of baseball’s many unsung heroes—alongside some of baseball’s greatest players before they were famous. The League of Outsider Baseball is a tribute to all of those who’ve played the game, known and unknown. Shining a light into the dark corners of baseball history—from Ty Cobb’s minor league days to Negro League greats like Josh Gibson and Leon Day; to people that most never knew played the game, such as Frank Sinatra, who had his own ball club in 1940s Hollywood; bank robber John Dillinger, who was a promising shortstop and took time out between robberies to attend Cubs games; and even a few US presidents—this book is a rich, visual tribute to America’s pastime. Meticulously researched, beautifully illustrated using a unique, vintage baseball-card-style, and filled with a colorful and rich cast of characters, this book is a prized collector’s item and will be cherished by fans of all ages.
