A History of Cuban Baseball, 1864-2006 |
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You Are Here: Home > History Books > Baseball History > Item 246
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A History of Cuban Baseball, 1864-2006
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by Peter C. Bjarkman
Sales Rank: 773724
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List Price: $49.95
$31.96
At Amazon
on 9-14-2008.
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Features
Cover Type: Hard Cover with 496 pages
Published by: McFarland & Company January 22, 2007
Written in: English
ISBN 10 Number: 0786428295
ISBN 13 Number: 978-0786428298
Book Dimensions:
10.9 x 8.6 x 1.3 inches
Weighs: 2.9 pounds
Reader Reviews
The importance and quality of this book is best expressed in a recent review by noted sports journalist Pete Cava, when he writes: "Like opera afacienados, fans of international baseball are passionate, but few and far between. And for any author, writing the definitive tome about Cuban baseball from its origins to the present is like taking vows of poverty. Therefore,!felicitaciones! to Pete Bjarkman for his latest opus, "A History of Cuban Baseball, 1864-2006", simply the most complete work on the game as it's played just ninety miles away across the Florida Straits. Bjarkman's book is a dizzying, four-part compilation of hard-to-find material on Cuban baseball- both pre- and post-revolution. Frequently detonating myths along the way, Bjarkman explains how the game took root in Cuba; how the island became a winter hotbed during the 20th Century's first decades for Negro League stars from the U.S. like Oscar Charlseston; and how it was Cuba's amateur ballclubs (and not the winter league teams) that enthralled local fans prior to the ascent of Fidel Castro. Paying homage to Cuba's legends, Bjarkman devotes time to Adolfo Luque ("the Original 'Pride of Havana'), Orestes Minoso ("the Cuban Comet"), Conrado Marrero and Martin Dihigo ("Baseball's Least-Known Hall of Famer"). He also writes about Cuban players of the Castro era ("The World's Best Unknown Players"): Omar Linares, Orestes Kindelan, Antonio Pacheco, Norge Luis Vera, Victor "El Loco" Mesa- men who would have commanded fabulous big league contracts on the open market, but remain unfamiliar to most North American fans. A number of tomes on Cuban baseball have appeared over the past decade, written by notables like S.L. Price, Milton Jamail, and Roberto Gonzalez Echevarria. Bjarkman alternately praises and scolds each of them throughout his book. Since he probably spends more time in Havana than Castro and may know more about Cuban baseball than "El Comandante" himself, Bjarkman's criticism can't be shrugged off. Bjarkman buries once and for all the notion that Fidel was once a pitching prospect (while Castro was a schoolboy athlete in the 1940's, baseball wasn't even his best sport). Bjarkman also puts to rest any notion that Cuba's baseball tradition, like so many Cuban citizens, fled the island after Castro's rise to power. Istead, Bjarkman argues that the sport reached its zenith during the Castro years- a theory that's bound to act as a lightning rod for criticism. But anyone who claims Bjarkman is soft on Castro's regime ultimately has to concede that this book isn't about Cuba's government; it's about Cuban baseball. And while many readers would disagree with what Bjarkman calls America's "blatant imperialistic policies", few would disagree when he acknowledges Havana's use of baseball as a propaganda tool. (Bjarkman's depiction of Castro's micro-managing of the Cuban national team would have George Steinrenner shaking his head and clucking his tongue). "A History of Cuban Baseball, 1864-2006" explores baseball to its roots. It provides statistics, records, standings and other nuggets previously found only in the official Cuban league guides. And if there's any disparity, it's best to go with whatever Bjarkman says.
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A History of Cuban Baseball, 1864-2006
Available from Amazon
Price: $31.96
Updated on 9-14-2008.
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