The First Fall Classic: The Red Sox, the Giants and the Cast of Players, Pugs and Politicos Who Re-Invented the World Series in 1912

by Mike Vaccaro

Book Overview

Acclaimed author Mike Vaccaro presents a riveting, must-read account of what remains, nearly a century later, the greatest World Series ever played. In October of 1912, seven years before gambling... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385526245
• ISBN13: 9780385526241
• Release Date: October 2009
• Publisher: Doubleday Books
• Length: 290 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.5" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Baseball Writing at its Finest

If you love baseball, especially its history, "The First Fall Classic" is a must-read. Not only is it an interesting snapshot of a time period in American history, both on the field and off it, but it's absolutely heart-racing when it comes to the chronicles of the games played in the 1912 World Series (or world's series, as it was then called -- no caps). Mike Vaccaro's style is humorous, intense, and thought-provoking by turns, and he certainly knows the game about which he's writing, form the time it began through today. I particuarly like his chronicles of the games played; they're exciting and easy to follow and visualize. They're also tension-filled. By the time I read the nail-biting account of the final game, it was all I could do not to read ahead because I almost couldn't take the excitement of not knowing who won. If you are a baseball fan, get this book and read it ASAP. And, if you don't know how the 1912 Series turned out, do everything you can to keep from peeking ahead to learn the winner. You will feel like you're in the stands at Fenway by the time you read Vaccaro's account of the last game.

Collections strong in baseball history must have this

THE FIRST FALL CLASSIC: THE RED SOX, THE GIANTS, AND THE CAST OF PLAYERS, PUGS AND THE POLITICOS WHO REINVENTED THE WORLD SERIES IN 1912 is a 'must' for any library strong in baseball history and culture. It covers a cast of characters who during the course of just eight games spanning nine days elevated the sport to World Series fame, involving sports and political worlds alike in the finest World Series ever played. Collections strong in baseball history must have this.

High Drama of the 1912 World Series

A rip-roarin' look at the first "great" World Series. The 1912 World Series between the New York Giants and Boston Red Sox, a series that went to an astonishing eight games, is brought to full life by Vaccarro in this exciting and highly readable account. The greats are all here from John McGraw, Christy Mathewson, Tris Speaker to "Smokin" Joe Wood, who for one brief season, was perhaps the greatest pitcher in the history of the game. Vaccarro does a great job of placing the series in the context of American history by also spending time on the Becker trial, the so-called "trial of the century", the 1912 presidential campaign and the attempted assassination of Teddy Roosevelt. Even JFK's grandfather had a role to play in the series. Baseball was a business in 1912 with greedy owners, players trying to enhance their salaries by betting on games, gamblers mingling with ball players and a corrupt ruling National Commission dedicated to protecting the interest of the owners. As much innovation that the game has experienced, it's refreshing to see how little has actually changed in the sport. The accounts of the games and portraits of the players sustain the drama and excitement of the 1912 World Series. This is a great baseball book, reccommended for any sports fan.

A Must Read For Baseball Fans

The First Fall Classic by Mike Vaccaro has three things that I really look for in a book: (1) non-fiction, (2) a topic that interests me, (3) a topic I know little or nothing about. I really enjoyed reading this book because it felt like I was right there. The writing is superb. It is about the 1912 World Series between the Giants and the Red Sox--what a series it was! The ending has to be read to be believed. If you are a baseball fan or just a sports fan in general, you owe it to yourself to read this book! Thank you, Mr. Vaccaro, for writing this very enjoyable book!

I Felt Like I was Brought Back In Time to the Year 1912

Baseball has a fascinating history and author Mike Vaccaro brings the reader of his book back to what he calls "The First Fall Classic." The title meaning that this World Series (upper case) was the first one to really be considered a classic. In addition to bringing us a game-by-game description of the eight games (one was a tie) we are told about other important events taking place in the country at the time the games were taking place, namely the trial of officer Charles Becker for his arranged hit on Herman Rosenthal by a trio of gangsters with colorful monikers and the assassination attempt of Bull Moose candidate for president Theodore Roosevelt in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Author Vaccaro does a wonderful job in capturing the personalities of the participants of the Boston Red Sox and New York Giants. What a cast of characters! Names such as Christy Mathewson, Rube Marquard, Chief Meyers, Buck Herzog, Fred Merkle, Jeff Tesreau, Fred Snodgrass, Tris Speaker, Smokey Joe Wood, Harry Hooper, Duffy Lewis, and managers John McGraw and Jake Stahl. The Royal Rooters led by John "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald and Michael "Nuf Ced" McGreevy serenade the fans and players with rousing renditions of "Tessie." John McGraw is well known for his abrasive personality on the ball field, and for his intolerance for mental errors. However, not only was McGraw forgiving of the Merkle incident of 1908 and the Snodgrass "muff" in 1912, he raised their salary for the following year. Snodgrass took his dropped fly ball very hard, but you win as a team and you lose as a team. In addition to making a tremendous catch on the next batter, a dropped pop fly along the first base line that Merkle could have caught, but pitcher Mathewson called for catcher Meyers to catch. The ball would have been an easier play for Matty to catch than Meyers. Dissension among the Red Sox takes place as Bosox owner James McAleer pressures manager Stahl to pitch a nondescript hurler in game six in New York presumably to coax a game seven in Fenway Park to add to his coffers. All is forgiven with the outcome of the Series favorable to Boston. I have to wonder if the reaction among the Red Sox would have been the same had the Giants prevailed instead. I did find what I believe to be an error on page 123 the author may want to check up on. The sixth line from the top has Josh Devore being quoted describing a fantastic catch he made and the name of the umpire "Evans" is used instead following the quote. I find baseball history to be fascinating to read about, and this book gave me a feeling of "You Are There" just like the old television show.