Baseball: A History of America's Game

by Benjamin G. Rader

A history of baseball in America provides in a second edition the author's commentary on the sport in the 1990s, from the influence of Latino players and the building of retroparks to the race for new home-run records. Simultaneous.

Genres: Baseball, Sports, Nonfiction, History, Historical, Audiobook

312 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1992

Reviews

[Brian M · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s hard to imagine someone doing a better job of detailing the entire first 150 years of baseball history in 250 pages. Even as a lifetime baseball fan there was a lot that I learned for the first time. That said it’s not without its flaws and the fact that it’s from 2000 leaves a lot to be desired particularly it’s almost absent acknowledgement of steroid usage and the ensuing changes to the game of baseball but ultimately it cannot be held responsible for something that really only really came out after it’s time.

Lovers of baseball in history, particularly those both, would love this book.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid overview of the history of baseball with the only downside for me being the slow start. Much of what he spends the beginning of the book could have been cut down significantly and would have had a similar effect and would have gotten readers to the, pardon my opinion, much more interesting and relatable history of baseball starting in the twentieth century. That is not to dismiss the work Rader put into this book, just that some parts were needlessly drawn out.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terrible and inaccurate depiction of the AAGPBL.

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benjamin Rader, now a professor emeritus at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln history department, has delivered the best one volume account of baseball's history in its entirety that I have ever read. Starting with the first teams in the 1840s, he tells the stories of the most famous players and teams but also goes deeper than that by analyzing critical changes in the way the game has been played and the ways that the game has reflected American society.

Since I am not an expert on the nineteenth century, I enjoyed learning about the young artisans and clerks in New York City who formed the first teams and established the first rules during the pre-Civil War era (the rules included some that have stood the test of time, such as diamond shaped bases, three strikes for an out, and three outs to retire a side, but there were no called balls or strikes, only 45 feet from the mound to the plate, and fielders could get an out by catching the ball on the first bounce). By 1869, players were playing professionally and fans were paying fees to attend games.

From there, Rader examines trends in the game such as the prevalence of the home run after 1920, the racial integration of major league baseball in 1947, the harnessing of new technologies such as radio and television, the empowerment of players in their relationship with management, and the steroid scandal. Some of these trends reflected American society, such as the push to racially integrate public institutions, the push to expand labor rights, and the popularity of drugs. Rader is able to explain through these connections how baseball is America's game. It's clear he is not only a baseball enthusiast, but also a professional historian with a strong talent for research, writing, and the vast literature surrounding the game. I highly recommend the book.

[Roncibio · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first edition of Rader's Baseball: A History of America's Game was probably the best. It was a succinct summary of the game and he made solid decisions on the sequence of events that framed the overall narrative. Over time, he has introduced two new editions that essentially have served as updates. He has not, however, adequately revised the initial narrative by incorporating the most current literature that would lend itself to a reconsideration of both the selection and sequencing of his original narrative. As a result, the updated editions remain succinct, but are now superficial and ironically out of date. I continue to rate the text highly because it continues to deserve a place on the shelf of the the game's best written histories. But, maybe just the first edition.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy hearing someone else’s perspective on my favorite sport, and this book really reminded me how no two people ever see the same circumstances in quite the same way. That variety of opinion is part of what makes reading about baseball’s history so engaging. Beyond the commentary, the pacing was solid; steady enough to keep me interested without dragging. Overall, it offered a fresh take on familiar moments in baseball, and I appreciated the way it put things into a different perspective then my own.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid, if a bit plodding.

[William Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great history of the game from an academic historian. This version left off around 2006-2007. I hope the newest version has a refreshed perspective on the Steroid Era.

[Jean-Francois Simard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here are five main takeaways from Baseball: A History of America's Game by Benjamin G. Rader, based on its exploration of baseball’s evolution and its reflection of American society:

1. Origins and Early Development: Rader traces baseball’s roots to the 1840s, highlighting how it emerged from informal games played by young artisans and clerks in New York City. The establishment of early rules—like the diamond-shaped field and three strikes for an out—laid the foundation for its growth, with professionalism taking hold by 1869 as fans began paying to watch games.

2. Cultural Reflection: The book emphasizes baseball as a mirror of American society, evolving alongside cultural shifts. From the rise of the home run in the 1920s, symbolizing a new era of spectacle, to racial integration in 1947 with Jackie Robinson, baseball reflected broader societal changes, including industrialization, immigration, and civil rights.

3. Economic and Organizational Evolution: Rader details how baseball transformed from a fraternity-driven pastime to a commercial enterprise. Key developments include the formation of professional leagues, the players’ empowerment through free agency, and the modern era’s revenue boom driven by analytics, marketing, and fan-friendly ballparks.

4. Key Eras and Scandals: The narrative covers pivotal moments like the "Age of Ruth," the steroid era, and scandals such as the 1919 Black Sox "Big Fix." These events shaped the game’s identity, oscillating between nostalgia and controversy, while showcasing its resilience and adaptability.

5. Modern Transformation: In later editions, Rader examines baseball’s contemporary landscape, marked by analytics-driven strategies, an influx of Latino and Asian players, and a focus on power hitting and pitching. This "new order" underscores how the game continues to innovate while maintaining its status as America’s pastime.

These takeaways encapsulate Rader’s comprehensive look at how baseball has both shaped and been shaped by American history, blending on-field changes with off-field dynamics.

[David Lucander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let's call it 3.5 stars...

I really like this book, but it's a little too good for the general reader - you know, details, facts, critical, occasionally uses words like "demographic", and insightful. The opening chapters on eighteenth & early nineteenth century are especially good. Although baseball types could probably find better passages for each chapter, Rader offers an affordable, no-frills, and pretty well-balanced account of the game's history. I'd like to see more discussion of individual players such as Hank Aaron or Joe Dimaggio. Rader is also very enthralled with the McGwire/Sosa/Bonds thing, I don't know how he didn't have the foresight to see PED problems. Read in conjunction with Past Time: Baseball as History, Rader's book offers an invaluable single-volume mostly non-hagiographic account of the game that so many of us love.

[Adrienne]

This was an interesting, albeit broad, history of the game of baseball. The book did a good job of giving the big picture and I learned a lot of new things, but it didn't give much information on the people, the ballplayers and fans. There were a large amount of numbers involved as well, which makes sense as statistics are vital to the game, but they tend to make me glaze over.

If you're interested in baseball, and particularly if you haven't ever read a history of the game, this is a good place to start.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this for a class, and really enjoyed it even though I care little for baseball.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this an research for sport journalism. Like the sport, this book was also really boring. If baseball is your passion, you would like this book. If not, don't read it.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

well, it's definitely about baseball

[Ron Kaplan · Rating 3 out of 5]

history,academic