Honus Wagner: A Biography

by Dennis DeValeria, Jeanne Burke DeValeria

With the coming of the twentieth century, America was thinking on a grand scale. Barriers of communication and transportation were being overcome and giants such as Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, and William Randolph Hearst walked the land. The nation’s game was baseball, and its giant was Honus Wagner. In 1996, a baseball card depicting Honus Wagner sold for $640,500 - the largest sum ever paid at auction for a sports artifact. What could possibly make that piece of cardboard, approximately one-and-a-half by two-and-a-half inches, worth more than half a million dollars? The DeValerias tell the unique story behind this now-famous baseball card and the man depicted on it. In doing so, they accurately present the local, regional, and national context so readers gain a thorough understanding of Wagner’s times.Wagner’s gradual emergence from the pack into stardom and popularity is described here in rich detail, but the book also reveals much of Wagner’s family and personal life - his minor leauge career, his values, his failed business ventures during the Depression, and his later years. Neither the “rowdy-ball” ruffian nor the teetotal saint constructed of legend, Wagner is presented here in a complete portrait - one that offers a vivid impression of the era when baseball was America’s game and the nation was evolving into the world’s industrial leader.

Genres: Baseball, Sports, Biography, Audiobook, Biography Memoir, Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1996

Reviews

[Theo Logos · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the best to ever grace the diamond, Honus Wagner was the dominate National League player of the Dead Ball era, a member of the inaugural class of Hall of Famers at Cooperstown, and, arguably, the greatest player ever to wear a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform. A statue of him has stood in front of Pirates ballparks since the 1950s (originally at Forbes Field, then Three Rivers Stadium, and now PNC Park). As a lifetime Pirates fan, I’ve always had an interest in this “ancient” great of the game who played nearly his whole career for my hometown team. But unlike other Pirate legends like Clemente or Stargell who played in my lifetime, Wagner played 120 years ago during the youth of my grandfather and was far less accessible.

This book by Dennis and Jeanne Burke DeValeria does a yeoman’s job of delivering Wagner’s story. The writing is adequate rather than flashy, but they do an excellent job telling the story of his baseball career, putting it in the context of his era, as well as giving a decent amount of information on his teammates on some dominating early 20th century Pirates teams. (After reading their book, I realized I need to read more about Wagner’s teammate, Hall of Fame player/manager Fred Clarke.) Their description of a strong young man who would walk from his job in the coal mines to play baseball in his early career, who could field every position but catcher, (and was said could have been a Hall of Famer at any of them) and is still considered the greatest shortstop in baseball history, fell short of bringing him alive, but certainly left me far better informed of his spectacular career than I was before I read it.

The DeValaria’s hit all the highlights — Wagner’s early year with the Pirates when he led them to a dominate three NL pennants, 1901 through 1903, and to the first ever World Series in 1903. (Wagner’s Pirates lost to Boston in a nine game series.) They cover the famous head to head matchup of Wagner, the premier talent of the National League and Ty Cobb, the cream of the American League, in the 1909 series where Wagner’s Pirates defeated Cobb’s Tigers. But they also fill in his early years of semi-pro ball, and his first Major League team, the Louisville Colonels. And they follow him through into the twilight years of his playing career.

Honus Wagner: A Biography isn’t a book that’s going to wow or astound you. But it is solidly written and researched, and will leave you far better informed of one of baseball’s all time greats after reading it.

[Gerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply put a great book on a terrific athlete. This book centers (obviously) on the baseball life of Honus Wagner with bit parts to his personal life including business, marriage, and all other personal things that occur in life. His personal life was largely not explored nor discussed and that is OK because one gets enough of the personal life within these pages. Honus was a decent man, great ball player, and was loved and respected by those who knew him. He really was a spend thrift; something most people from our current modern age could take a lesson from.

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the book was interesting at times, I felt like there was too much unnecessary detail. I am not even sure if it followed a strict timeline because I sometimes got lost in the dates with the jumping around. The historical information from the time was interesting and to listen to how different the professional ball players were back then is both educational and sometimes comical. Having to hurry home from the coal mine to make it to the ball game and vice versa.

An aspect that was difficult for me in the book, though I am not certain it can be avoided or even done differently, is all of the names. So many names were included that I had not idea of their significance. Hard spot to be in here, because of course these guys would all want their name included in the stories that involve them, but many were one time mentions with very little background that it seemed to distract from the book for me. I felt at times as if I would have to read a whole book on each of the names included here and piece all of the individual stories together and interpret the relationships that way.

I am a huge baseball fan and would love to own a Honus Wagner baseball card, so the appeal to learn more about this all star was strong. I would say this book stopped short of disappointing me for spending the time listening. Again, some interesting parts and segments, but much too long and too detailed for me. Is it possible to be too detailed? I guess what I mean is that it was hard to interpret the importance of the details that were included at times.

[Jim Vander Maas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honus Wagner was one of the first superstars in baseball. Loved by the city of Pittsburgh where he grew up and played for most of his career. He was loyal to the Pirates and stayed even when he was offered better money by upstart leagues. He was a big man who was humble and loved the game of baseball. A versatile player who was one of the first six players inducted to the Hall of Fame. He wasn't as controversial as Ty Cobb or a bigger than life character as Babe Ruth who played later. So this book is for baseball fans who are curious about the dead ball era and how the game grew into the National Pastime. The book could of been better if it focused a little more on what was going on in that era as opposed to game recaps of the pennant races at the time. It does make you wish you could go into a time machine and see the Flying Dutchman play.

[Vincent T. Ciaramella · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the third baseball book I have read this summer and sadly it didn't live up to what I hoped it would be. I read the newest Ty Cobb book and Fall from Grace about Shoeless Joe. Both were outstanding. This one fell short of the mark.

Being from Pittsburgh I was really interested in learning more about this hometown hero. I don't feel like I got to know him that well in this book. He was buried in between too much detail about games and other supporting cast. I know they need to be discussed but at times I lost track of Honus.

Maybe I just need to read a kids bio about him or a really detailed article. Maybe he wasn't as interesting as Cobb or Jackson off the field. I don't know. But, I will say that over all I didn't think much of this book. Sorry.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid biography that does well to explain both the man and his times. Can get a bit bogged down in statistics and blow-by-blow details of games. Some readers like those details. IMO the authors missed a chance to explain the importance of Wagner as an athlete, a celebrity, and life in industrial Pittsburgh. Beyond saying he was revered, I was left wondering what he meant to the fans that packed the stands to see him.
Still, those are minor issues to what is overall a very good biography.

[Chris Schaffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book on an old time ball player from the Dead Ball Era. Always get him confused with Rogers Hornsby, not sure why. Covers well the National League years from late 1890s to about 1915 when it was always the Pirates, Cubs, and John McGraw's Giants. If you liked a book like "The Glory of Their Times" and are into old time players like Cobb, Mathewson, etc., you'll like it. He was kind of a simple Pittsburgh guy.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This biography definitely bumped Honus Wagner up to my favorite player of all time (sorry Pedro Alvarez). As a child born in Pittsburgh, I always knew who Honus Wagner was, but I never actually knew much about him or his career in baseball. After listening to his biography, I definitely have more respect for the man that many people still consider to be the greatest baseball player of all time.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honus Wagner’s baseball card is the most valuable one ever sold. I always wondered who he was. Turns out that he was the son of immigrants and became one of the greatest and beloved players that ever played the game. Humble and hard working, he was a great example for his time. This book is a very detailed account of his life.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biographies generally are terrible for me. It's just too much detail and not too entertaining, especially for an athlete. I'm rounding up on this because I feel like it does get to the heart of his character and his personality. The end of his life was nothing too amazing, sweet and sad moments.

[Richard Deneault · Rating 3 out of 5]

A detailed account of Honus Wagner's career in baseball. If you are interested in the minutia and a game by game account of Wagner's career, this is the book for you. Doesn't explore his life very much outside of the box score so to speak.

[David Barney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story of one of the great baseball players that does not get much attention. Yet, in his day was great. These stories are good to read and better understand some of the history of baseball. Also, Wagner was a good guy.

[George Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, a great biography of an outstanding baseball player from another generation.
The Pirates could really use Honus now.
Excellent detailed biography.

[Collin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book detailing Wagner's life. Gives a good glimpse of what baseball was like in the early 1900s.

[Tim K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the book and felt the reader was super annoying. The content of the book was good with a lot of details surrounding early 1900 baseball and Honus Wagner. I am pretty sure I would have enjoyed the book much more if I had read rather than listened to the audiobook.

[Rugg Ruggedo · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the statistics are there. There is even a account of his life that is factually the most complete every put together. The DeValeria's are really great researchers. The bibliography for this book was several pages long. The thing is among all this research and accuracy there is very little that is personal. I dont think this is because the authors were lacking in ability to bring that personal touch to their writing,its more a product of the fact that there are very few people alive today who had personal contact with Wagner/the player. I admire the authors reluctance to use information that is purely anecdotal but it does make the accounts of Honus's career a bit sterile. The contrast in fact with the last few chapters where this is more first hand accounts of his life as a coach and representative of the Pirates much more personal, and interesting.
Since I had very little information about Wagner other the straight statistics I did enjoy learning of the career of the man many think of the greatest player in the first decade of professional baseball in the 20th century.
Oddly, the book inspired me to dig out the first two "innings" of Burns PBS Baseball documentary and after reading such a well researched account of that period, Burns effort seemed very inaccurate and full of myth rather then fact. Since I find the actuality of this history pretty amazing, it left me wondering why the PBS doc couldnt have lived more inside the proven stories of the times.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid read. A little heavy on the details of Wagner's seasons, but authors do a good job of putting Honus in the context of early twentieth-century baseball. Writing is more graceful than ponderous, but wobbles back and forth between the two at times. If you're a fan of early baseball history, you won't be disappointed at this.

[Todd Everett · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good read but not as good as so many baseball biographies because of the lack of information from the period. Still an excellent read for anyone who wants to understand the early days of MLB as it evolved into a scientific pursuit.

[Ronald · Rating 3 out of 5]

read SOMETIME in 2001