Baseball's First Indian: Louis Sockalexis : Penobscot Legend, Cleveland Indian

by Ed Rice

Traces the brief professional baseball career of Native American Louis Francis Sockalexis, discussing his childhood, the impact of alcoholism and racism on his career, and how he inspired the name of the Cleveland Indians.

Genres: Baseball

Hardcover

First published November 14, 2013

Reviews

[Kosar7480]

Interesting book about a largely forgotten early baseball player. I did not realize just how short Sockalexis's playing career actually was and how many times he attempted a career revival with various other teams. Unfortunately a brief career combined with the limited information available resulted in a book that largely became an inventory of his performance in individual games and recounting of his statistics. Not the fault of the author, in fact I give Mr Rice credit for reviving interest and appreciation for Sockalexis.

[Fredrick Danysh]

A biography of Louis Sockalexis, a Penobscot Indian who played major league baseball for Cleveland in the 1890s. It also provides information on several of his relatives who were involved in sports. The work is well written and detailed although it comes across as somewhat biased toward Sockalexis. An interesting read for the baseball enthusiast.