Title/Author:
“Banned: Baseball’s
Blacklist of All-Stars and Also-Rans” by Hal Bock
Tags:
Baseball, professional,
gambling, performance enhancing drugs
Publish date:
February 21, 2017
Length:
148 pages
Rating:
4 of 5 stars (very
good)
Review:
Many players, managers, umpires, executives and even a team doctor have
been banned from baseball over the history of the office of the commissioner of
baseball. From the first commissioner, Judge Kennesaw Mountain Landis to the
current commissioner, Rob Manfred, each one has acted in what he believe would
preserve the integrity of the game. The stories of some of those who faced
suspension or expulsion are told in this book by Hal Bock.
Well-known stories such as those of the eight players from the 1919 Chicago
White Sox, the suspension of Alex Rodriguez for the 2014 season and Pete Rose
are covered, but so are the suspensions of others who were not as well know.
Jimmy O’Connell and coach Cozy Dolan of the New York Giants who were suspended
for a failed bribe attempt. In 1946, the second commissioner of the game, Happy
Chandler, stated that any player who left for the brand new Mexican League
would be suspended from Major League Baseball for five years. Suspensions of owners like George Steinbrenner
and Marge Schott are covered and even the brief expulsion of Willie Mays and
Mickey Mantle for accepting promotional jobs for casinos.
No matter who the subject of the suspension was, each one is covered by a brief story that explains the behavior that warranted the suspension and the commissioner’s reasoning. That may or may not be something the reader will agree with, but each story is structured in this manner and makes for quick reading for each chapter. None of these chapters fully describe the entire story, especially those of the 1919 White Sox or Rose, as there are other publications that delve much deeper into those topics. However, if the reader is looking for a quick and informative book on each of the persons who have been punished by a baseball commissioner, then this book will fulfill that need.
No matter who the subject of the suspension was, each one is covered by a brief story that explains the behavior that warranted the suspension and the commissioner’s reasoning. That may or may not be something the reader will agree with, but each story is structured in this manner and makes for quick reading for each chapter. None of these chapters fully describe the entire story, especially those of the 1919 White Sox or Rose, as there are other publications that delve much deeper into those topics. However, if the reader is looking for a quick and informative book on each of the persons who have been punished by a baseball commissioner, then this book will fulfill that need.
I wish to thank Diversion Books for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Book Format Read:
E-book (Kindle)
Buying links:
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