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Baseball Rebels: The Players, People, and Social Movements That Shook Up the Game and Changed America
Finalist for the 2023 Seymour Medal
Foreword INDIES Finalist in History
In Baseball Rebels Peter Dreier and Robert Elias examine the key social challenges—racism, sexism and homophobia—that shaped society and worked their way into baseball’s culture, economics, and politics.
Since baseball emerged in the mid-1800s to become America’s pastime, the nation’s battles over race, gender, and sexuality have been reflected on the playing field, in the executive suites, in the press box, and in the community. Some of baseball’s rebels are widely recognized, but most of them are either little known or known primarily for their baseball achievements—not their political views and activism. Everyone knows the story of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color line, but less known is Sam Nahem, who opposed the racial divide in the U.S. military and organized an integrated military team that won a championship in 1945. Or Toni Stone, the first of three women who played for the Indianapolis Clowns in the previously all-male Negro Leagues. Or Dave Pallone, MLB’s first gay umpire. Many players, owners, reporters, and other activists challenged both the baseball establishment and society’s status quo.
Baseball Rebels tells stories of baseball’s reformers and radicals who were influenced by, and in turn influenced, America’s broader political and social protest movements, making the game—and society—better along the way.
Foreword INDIES Finalist in History
In Baseball Rebels Peter Dreier and Robert Elias examine the key social challenges—racism, sexism and homophobia—that shaped society and worked their way into baseball’s culture, economics, and politics.
Since baseball emerged in the mid-1800s to become America’s pastime, the nation’s battles over race, gender, and sexuality have been reflected on the playing field, in the executive suites, in the press box, and in the community. Some of baseball’s rebels are widely recognized, but most of them are either little known or known primarily for their baseball achievements—not their political views and activism. Everyone knows the story of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color line, but less known is Sam Nahem, who opposed the racial divide in the U.S. military and organized an integrated military team that won a championship in 1945. Or Toni Stone, the first of three women who played for the Indianapolis Clowns in the previously all-male Negro Leagues. Or Dave Pallone, MLB’s first gay umpire. Many players, owners, reporters, and other activists challenged both the baseball establishment and society’s status quo.
Baseball Rebels tells stories of baseball’s reformers and radicals who were influenced by, and in turn influenced, America’s broader political and social protest movements, making the game—and society—better along the way.
408 pages, Hardcover
Published April 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 20, 2023
I learned more about baseball’s history in human rights than I ever would in Cooperstown for sure. I am shocked to learn of so many of my baseball heroes were downright racist, misogynistic and homophobic. And how the league has been inconsistent with supporting players who are targets of hate. FFS it’s 2023.
The writers really dug deep and share stories and name of folks in baseball I never knew about. It was a great education. And I’ll probably never go to Florida again because of what I learned.
Really happy I read this one.
The writers really dug deep and share stories and name of folks in baseball I never knew about. It was a great education. And I’ll probably never go to Florida again because of what I learned.
Really happy I read this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2022
A by-the-numbers recitation of many of the people who have taken a stand against injustice through the years in baseball. This could serve as a primer for those who are new to the subject, and encourage them to look for other books that detail the lives covered here.
October 4, 2025
Worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews