Overview

Perhaps familiar today as an answer to sports trivia questions, Ken Williams (1890-1959) was once a celebrity who helped bring about a new kind of power baseball in the 1920s. One of the great sluggers of his era (and of all time), he beat Babe Ruth for the home run title in 1922, and became the first to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a season that year. Later recognized for his accomplishments, he was considered for but not inducted into the Hall of Fame. This first-ever biography of Williams covers his life and career, from his small town upbringing, to his unlikely foray into pro baseball, to his retirement years, when he served as a police officer and ran a pool hall in his hometown.

Full Product Details

Author:   Dave Heller
Publisher:   McFarland & Co Inc
Imprint:   McFarland & Co Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 17.80cm , Height: 1.40cm , Length: 25.40cm
Weight:   0.494kg
ISBN:  

9781476665351

ISBN 10:   1476665354
Pages:   280
Publication Date:   13 February 2017
Recommended Age:   From 18 years
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Available To Order  
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Table of Contents

Table of Contents Acknowledgments Preface  1. Grants Pass and the ­Semi-Pro Life  2. O Canada: The Path to Pro Ball  3. Making a Name for Himself  4. A Small Taste of Cincinnati  5. Across the Ocean and Up the Ladder  6. The Minors, a Major War and the Big Leagues (Again)  7. Getting Established in St. Louis  8. Changing Style and Becoming a Top Slugger  9. “Who makes fans forget about Babe Ruth?” 10. Starting the 30–30 Club 11. Setting Career Highs Amid Team Strife 12. Powered Off and Back On 13. One Pitch Changes Everything 14. Battling for Playing Time 15. Goodbye St. Louis, Hello … Boston? 16. Winding Down a Career 17. Back to the Minors 18. The Hometown Boy Returns to Grants Pass—and St. Louis 19. Ken Williams’s Legacy Appendix A: Career Statistics Appendix B: Home Run Log Appendix C: Articles Appearing Under Williams’s Byline Chapter Notes Bibliography Index

Reviews

Researched primarily in newspapers, online sources, and interviews with Williams' two sons, Dave Heller produces a gripping and easy read. --Terry Lindley, Union University.

Researched primarily in newspapers, online sources, and interviews with Williams' two sons, Dave Heller produces a gripping and easy read. --Terry Lindley, Union University; [A] diligently researched account ... Through interviews with Williams' two sons, Ken Jr. and Jack, Heller is able to give the reader a look into the man, as well as the player. --SABR Deadball Era Committee Newsletter.

Author Information

Dave Heller has written and reported on sports for more than 30 years for a myriad of national newspapers, magazine and websites. He has published four previous books on sports history. He lives in Wisconsin.

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