In Baseball Rebels Peter Dreier and Robert Elias examine
the key social challenges--racism, sexism and homophobia--that shaped
society and worked their way into baseball's culture, economics, and
politics.
Since baseball
emerged in the mid-1800s to become America's pastime, the nation's
battles over race, gender, and sexuality have been reflected on the
playing field, in the executive suites, in the press box, and in the
community. Some of baseball's rebels are widely recognized, but most
of them are either little known or known primarily for their baseball
achievements--not their political views and activism. Everyone knows
the story of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball's color line, but less
known is Sam Nahem, who opposed the racial divide in the U.S.
military and organized an integrated military team that won a
championship in 1945. Or Toni Stone, the first of three women who
played for the Indianapolis Clowns in the previously all-male Negro
Leagues. Or Dave Pallone, MLB's first gay umpire. Many players,
owners, reporters, and other activists challenged both the baseball
establishment and society's status quo.
Baseball Rebels
tells stories of baseball's reformers and radicals who were
influenced by, and in turn influenced, America's broader political
and social protest movements, making the game--and society--better
along the way.