Major League Baseball Profiles, 1871-1900, Volume 1: The Ballplayers Who Built the Game (Volume 1) Paperback – September 1, 2011

This book is not only very thorough in the information provided- often times from remote sources- it also presents the various profiles in a very entertaining manner. There is a dry humor that surfaces in many of the profiles that makes reading random bios enjoyable- totally unrelated to any research project.From this the reader learns that the game may have been different in many ways in the 19th century- rules were changing and matters in 'organized baseball' were a lot less organized- but those who played it were subject to issues off the diamond and other human failings that are around the game 100 years later. It makes the events and people described come to life and not seem like remote characters from a bygone era.Nemec and the team of authors he assembled to undertake this project did a fine job.

What an undertaking. This was a huger Encyclopedia on nearly every position player in MLB in the 19th century. This book is just the first half.The author clearly outlined the criteria for the inclusion and exclusion of players. It is complete with the stats and gives you a quick, basic run down of all the players of the day.

Major League Baseball Profiles is a huge, impressive and well research collection of short players biographies from 1871 to 1900. It covers players from the National Association, the American Association, the Player's League, the National League and the forgotten Union Association.The enormous amount of information the book provides is overwhelming to say the least. Stats are a part of the bios, but not it's essential element. You'll learn how those players lived, how and why they got to the majors or got rejected, what they did of their final years of life and how they died. Believe me, the tales of some of those forgotten and unknow players will enrich your life and your understanding of baseball.The book is filled with delicious and humourous anecdotes, such as what some pitchers tried in order to bring life to their dead pitching arm. Some of those tales will amaze you beyond reason!David Nemec is one of the best baseball writer you'll ever read, and Major League Profiles will become a priceless reference work for years to come.Can't recommend a better baseball book.