DOVER - Scott H. Longert, well-known baseball historian, will talk about his book entitled Bad Boys, Bad Times: The Cleveland Indians and Baseball in the Prewar Years 1937-1941, on Thursday, February 27 at the Dover public library.  The book is a follow-up to No Money, No Beer, No Pennants: The Cleveland Indians and Baseball in the Great Depression.  Longert will share details and anecdotes that will please fans all over.

 

In 1937, the Great Depression was still lingering, but at baseball parks across the country there was a sense of optimism. Major League attendance was on a sharp rise. Tickets to an Indians game at League Park on Lexington and East 66th were $1.60 for box seats, $1.35 for reserve seats, and $.55 for the bleachers. Cleveland fans were particularly upbeat—Bob Feller, the teenage phenomenon, was a farm boy with a blistering fast ball. Night games were an exciting development. Better days were ahead.

 

But there were mounting issues facing the Indians. For one thing, it was rumored that the team had illegally signed Feller. Baseball Commissioner Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis was looking into that matter and one other. Issues with an alcoholic catcher, dugout fights, bats thrown into stands, injuries, and a player revolt kept things lively.

 

Sherrel Rieger, adult programming assistant at the library, commented that many parts of the book contain such exciting details that you can imagine the play-by-play broadcasting of the game.  "Longert gives fans a realistic inside look into the team during that period of time."

 

In addition to talking about Bad Boys, Bad Times, Longert will introduce fans to his newest publication - Cy Young: American Baseball Hero, which tells the life story of Cy Young, the hardest-throwing pitcher in baseball history. This portion of the program will be of particular interest to people living in Tuscarawas County since Cy Young was born in this area. Even though the targeted audience for this book is middle school readers, people of all ages will enjoy Longert's exciting explanations about the basics of America's favorite pastime.

 

The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 27 in the community room at the library, which is located at 525 N. Walnut Street in Dover. A book signing will take place after the program.  Call the library at 330-343-6123 for more information. 

 

DOVER PUBLIC LIBRARY