The First World Series and the Baseball Fanatics of 1903

"In this account, Roger I. Abrams recaptures the drama and color of this historic sporting event. He shows how the series, which was won in eight games by the Boston Americans, provides a unique lens to view American life and culture at the dawn of the twentieth century. This is a fascinating story brimming with colorful, larger-than-life characters: legendary players Honus Wagner, Cy Young, Jimmy Collins, Fred Clarke, Big Bill Dineen, and Deacon Phillippe on the field; and Mike "Nuf Ced" McGreevey, "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald, and the boisterous Boston Royal Rooters, cheering, chanting, and singing in the grandstands. This is also the story of how the post-season play gave disparate classes in society - Brahmins, industrialists, Irish politicians, Jewish immigrants - the rare opportunity to join in common support of their local teams and heroes."--Jacket.