Johnny Temple: All-Star Second Baseman

by William A. Cook

Cincinnati Reds leadoff hitter Johnny Temple batted over .300 three times between 1954 and 1959. A tobacco chewing and tough-talking hustler, he had a fiery disposition on the field, which led many sportswriters, teammates and opposing players to refer to him as a throwback to baseball's early days--an Eddie Stanky or Enos Slaughter type who would challenge anyone to a fight. He and Milwaukee Braves shortstop Johnny Logan engaged in one of the Major League's longest-running feuds.

Temple was an expert glove man, forming one of the premier double play combinations of the 1950s with shortstop Roy McMillan. Following his retirement in 1964, making ends meet became a daily struggle. Temple's life ended in disappointment and disgrace.

201 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 12, 2016

About the author

There is more than one author in the Goodreads catalog with this name. This entry is for William A. ^ Cook.

William A. Cook is the author of numerous nonfiction books, including seven on baseball history, and has appeared in productions on ESPN2 and the MLB Network. A retired health care administrator and former township councilman, he lives in Manalapan, New Jersey.