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Tinker, Evers, and Chance: A Triple Biography
Though they never led the league in double plays turned, and though at times they actively disliked one another, Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, and Frank Chance of the Chicago Cubs have for decades been called one of the greatest, most colorful and most memorable double-play combinations of all time. But their places in the Hall of Fame have been disputed by some who believe their reputation rests with a piece of Franklin P. Adams doggerel. This triple biography of Tinker, Evers, and Chance covers each man's career and life before and after baseball, giving special attention to their relationship on and off the field. The author also considers the trio's induction into the Hall of Fame in 1946 and examines the arguments made on both sides of the debate.
- GenresSports
272 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 20, 2023
I had a lot of down time today.. so this one when pretty quickly! The author did some very meticulous research for the book, which was really interesting...often dead ball era baseball books simply repeats common legends as fact. Here, the author went and found documented evidence, or said that he wasn't able to find any and even in some cases, proved a couple common things untrue.
His stated purpose of the book is to defend the trio's hall of fame credentials, and I don't think I agree there. I'm pretty good with Chance being in the hall of fame.. other guys that had short, brilliant careers (like Sandy Koufax, Dizzy Dean, even Jackie Robinson), are not questioned, and Chance's prime as player manager from 1906 - 1910 is pretty amazing. You could argue he's a hall of fame manager even without his playing career. It makes me wonder how long he would have managed, and how successfully, if batting helmets were a thing back then.
The book does a great job summarizing those great Cubs years.. nothing too Earth-shattering (many of the details I knew from other books) but a good summary none the less.
The argument the author makes is essentially that Cubs team at the time was the best ever... I'm definitely not sold on that... big records are just as much a symptom of a few teams in the league being perpetual doormats as much as the good teams being goo.
Tinker and Evers never really had success after those prime years, and more or less failed on their own, outside the Miracle Braves, and one year doesn't cut it. While you can argue intangibles and defense, the stats don't really bear it out.
While they are certainly not the worst additions to the hall (I'm looking at YOU Harold Baines), and I'm happy that Alan Trammell got in possibly by comparision, I'm not sold.
The book also spends more time that I think most people are interested in about Joe Tinker's Florida real estate dealings, but otherwise it's a well researched and enjoyable book.
His stated purpose of the book is to defend the trio's hall of fame credentials, and I don't think I agree there. I'm pretty good with Chance being in the hall of fame.. other guys that had short, brilliant careers (like Sandy Koufax, Dizzy Dean, even Jackie Robinson), are not questioned, and Chance's prime as player manager from 1906 - 1910 is pretty amazing. You could argue he's a hall of fame manager even without his playing career. It makes me wonder how long he would have managed, and how successfully, if batting helmets were a thing back then.
The book does a great job summarizing those great Cubs years.. nothing too Earth-shattering (many of the details I knew from other books) but a good summary none the less.
The argument the author makes is essentially that Cubs team at the time was the best ever... I'm definitely not sold on that... big records are just as much a symptom of a few teams in the league being perpetual doormats as much as the good teams being goo.
Tinker and Evers never really had success after those prime years, and more or less failed on their own, outside the Miracle Braves, and one year doesn't cut it. While you can argue intangibles and defense, the stats don't really bear it out.
While they are certainly not the worst additions to the hall (I'm looking at YOU Harold Baines), and I'm happy that Alan Trammell got in possibly by comparision, I'm not sold.
The book also spends more time that I think most people are interested in about Joe Tinker's Florida real estate dealings, but otherwise it's a well researched and enjoyable book.
March 4, 2013
Great book on the beginnings of MLB baseball, the Cubs, and these three Hall of Fame players.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews