The Great Baseball Revolt: The Rise and Fall of the 1890 Players League

by Robert B. Ross

The Players League, formed in 1890, was a short-lived professional baseball league controlled and owned in part by the players themselves, a response to the National League’s salary cap and “reserve rule,” which bound players for life to one particular team. Led by John Montgomery Ward, the Players League was a star-studded group that included most of the best players of the National League, who bolted not only to gain control of their wages but also to share ownership of the teams.

Lasting only a year, the league impacted both the professional sports and the labor politics of athletes and nonathletes alike. The Great Baseball Revolt is a historic overview of the rise and fall of the Players League, which fielded teams in Boston, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, New York, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Though it marketed itself as a working-class league, the players were underfunded and had to turn to wealthy capitalists for much of their startup costs, including the new ballparks. It was in this context that the league intersected with the organized labor movement, and in many ways challenged by organized labor to be by and for the people.

In its only season, the Players League outdrew the National League in fan attendance. But when the National League overinflated its numbers and profits, the Players League backers pulled out. The Great Baseball Revolt brings to life a compelling cast of characters and a mostly forgotten but important time in professional sports when labor politics affected both athletes and nonathletes.

Genres: Baseball

288 pages, Hardcover

Published April 1, 2016

Reviews

[Chip Rickard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, but short, book on the Players League of 1890. Of course how long can a book be about a league that only lasted a year. Some interesting tidbits in there like how the Boston team celebrated its 1891 PL championship after clinching the championship for 1890. Some places like the NY Clipper would say the championship should be for, in this case, the 1891 season since they would be champions all through 1891. Other outlets would say it's for the 1890 season like we do now. Anyway, great background on the players who were a part of the league. The only question I have is how Ross gives short shrift to the American Association which was the other major league at the time. Of course it was pretty much on its last legs and only lasted another year so perhaps Ross's lack of attention to it may be justified.

[Michael Cresci · Rating 3 out of 5]

fascinating topic with some amazing details, the story is just not as well told as it could be. needs to find a better balance between the drama and the didactic economics. pick a direction

[Douglas W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift, and would otherwise not have found it. Thoroughly enjoyable. I love baseball, love history, and the additional, critical aspect of the story relates to labor relations. Fascinating to think about this point in history, and connect the dots to the present day relationships between owners, players, fans and others.