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Bill Veeck
- Baseball's Greatest Maverick
- Narrated by: Dan John Miller
- Length: 14 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Sports
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Publisher's Summary
William Louis 'Bill' Veeck, Jr. (1914-1986) is legendary in many ways - baseball impresario and innovator, independent spirit, champion of civil rights in a time of great change. Paul Dickson has written the first full biography of this towering figure, in the process rewriting many aspects of his life and bringing alive the history of America's pastime.
In his late 20s, Veeck bought into his first team, the American Association Milwaukee Brewers. After serving and losing a leg in WWII, he bought the Cleveland Indians in 1946, and a year later broke the color barrier in the American League by signing Larry Doby, a few months after Jackie Robinson - showing the deep commitment he held to integration and equal rights. Cleveland won the World Series in 1948, but Veeck sold the team for financial reasons the next year. He bought a majority of the St. Louis Browns in 1951, sold it three years later, then returned in 1959 to buy the other Chicago team, the White Sox, winning the American League pennant his first year. Ill health led him to sell two years later, only to gain ownership again, 1975-1981.
Veeck's promotional spirit - the likes of clown prince Max Patkin and midget Eddie Gaedel are inextricably connected with him - and passion endeared him to fans, while his feel for the game led him to propose innovations way ahead of their time, and his deep sense of morality not only integrated the sport but helped usher in the free agency that broke the stranglehold owners had on players. (Veeck was the only owner to testify in support of Curt Flood during his landmark free agency case).
Bill Veeck: Baseball's Greatest Maverick is a deeply insightful, powerful biography of a fascinating figure. It will take its place beside the recent bestselling biographies of Satchel Paige and Mickey Mantle, and will be the baseball book of the season in Spring 2012.
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What listeners say about Bill Veeck
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Amazon Customer
- 04-22-20
Fantastic!
This book does a very good job of articulating the art of Bill’s compassion, genius, and human faults. A must read for baseball fans and rebels.
1 person found this helpful
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- GKL
- 11-12-21
Best Baseball Book I’ve Read
As a Missouri native and baseball fan, I knew something of the history of the St. Louis Browns and Veeck’s history as the brief owner. And I recall the disco demolition night. But I had no idea how important and innovative he was. Not to mention he was a real life Forrest Gump in intersecting with so many important people of the 20th century.
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- Matthew Tsien
- 04-21-18
Bill Veeck - Baseball's Greatest Innovator
Wonderful story of a man with no personal fortune purchasing three low budget teams and reaching the World Series twice in 1948 and 1959.
All the while Veeck was a trailblazer for accepting Black players. He signed the first Black players in the American League as well as Satchell Paige.
All three men are in the Hall of Fame.
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- Chris
- 05-21-13
Baseball at it's best!
Would you listen to Bill Veeck again? Why?
Yes. This was very interesting and informative
What other book might you compare Bill Veeck to and why?
None
What does Dan John Miller bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
He is pleasant to listen too. Smooth and flows well.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes and I found myself constantly coming back to hear more!
Any additional comments?
Great book about a great baseball man! Truly a maverick!