Cactus League: Spring Training

Images of America: Arizona

by Susie Steckner, The Mesa Historical Museum

Arizona's baseball roots run long and deep, but the star of the show is the Cactus League. The state's spring training history is filled with social, political, and cultural intrigue, not to mention a roster of baseball greats. Early on, fans watched Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Willie Mays, and the American League's first black player, Larry Doby. Beyond the field, baseball became part of the state's social fabric, as players and fans alike flocked to watering holes, hotels, parades, and a desert resort famous for its mineral baths. History also saw a political battle to save the Cactus League and fend off Florida's attempts to dominate spring training. Today, the Cactus League is a 15-team powerhouse that holds court in Arizona each spring.

128 pages, Paperback

First published February 27, 2012

Reviews

[Dave Case · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly enjoyed this historical overview of Arizona’s Spring Training for Major League Baseball teams. Having attended many years of Cactus League competitions, it was fun recalling lots of the ballparks that I’ve attended, and stories about them, along with the teams & players cited in this book. I highly recommend it!

[Ann]

I am not reading this book.