Even the Browns: Baseball During World War II

By William B. Mead

Book Overview

"A thoroughly diverting and occasionally surprising exploration of a slice of baseball history heretofore largely ignored . . . marvelously informative and fun to read." -- Sports Illustrated
"Mr. Mead describes the Browns and baseball's war years with wit and irony." -- The New York Times
"In this delightful rambling history, the author sees wartime baseball in its unique social context." -- Time
Now known as the Baltimore Orioles, the bumbling St. Louis Browns won their only American League pennant in 1944 -- during an era when the game's brightest stars were in the military. This lighthearted look at America's Pastime during World War II recalls charity games, cigarette drives, and the Browns themselves, a team stocked with a one-armed outfielder and other unlikely players. A joy to read, this trip through baseball's past was written by William B. Mead, a veteran Washington journalist and author of several other baseball books.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486474623
• ISBN13: 9780486474625
• Release Date: August 1970
• Publisher: Dover Publications, Incorporated
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.6" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

For Historical Baseball Fans

Journalist William Mead wrote this interesting look at the St. Louis Browns and baseball during World War II. Mead examines some history of this underdog franchise, which won its only American League pennant in 1944 as most big-leaguers were in military uniform. The 1944 Browns squeezed out a pennant on the last day with a typical wartime roster of aged players and some 4-F's whose minor infirmities kept them out of the service but not off the field. We learn about top Brownie players like Denny Galehouse, Don Gutteridge, and Mike Kreevich, manager Luke Sewell, and the team's ownership. The author quotes several players, adding spice to the narrative. We also learn about baseball during the first half of the 1940's, as war needs affected the game. I'd have liked more attention on the 1944 pennant race, but this is a solid look at the era, plus the largely-forgotten Browns (1902-1953), forerunners of today's Baltimore Orioles.