Extra Bases

A collection of previously published essays exploring various aspects of baseball history includes an introduction to baseball historiography and a discussion of Jackie Robinson and Jim Crow baseball.

In the past ten years or so, biological magnetic resonance (NMR and ESR) has fully blossomed and become highly branched. In the 1970s and earlier, a practitioner in biological magnetic resonance was using virtually all of the available methods suitable for his research, with the latter covering a diverse range of systems. Today, the focus of an individual laboratory is actually much narrower, with respect to both the methods and the systems investigated. Thus, those who investigate protein structure by multi dimensional NMR spectroscopy do not usually engage in studies involving in vivo spectroscopy. The conferences on biological magnetic resonance now have parallel sessions rather than the single, common session of earlier days. Moreover, topical meetings are becoming more frequent. Therefore, this and future volumes of our series will also focus on specific topical areas. We are proud to present Volume 10 of our series. It focuses on Carbohydrates and Nucleic Acids. In an extensive chapter, Kamerling and Vliegenthart use oligosaccharide-alditols released from mucin-type- glycoproteins to illustrate the power of proton NMR spectroscopy in the determination of carbohydrate structure. Wemmer gives a detailed coverage of the arsenal of modern NMR methods now available for structural studies of nucleic acids. Forthcoming volumes will focus on In Vivo Spectroscopy and Protein Structure. As always, we are anxious to get feedback from the readers and hear their comments and suggestions. Lawrence J.

More than any other sport, baseball has developed its own niche in America’s culture and psyche. Some researchers spend years on detailed statistical analyses of minute parts of the game, while others wax poetic about its players and plays. Many trace the beginnings of the civil rights movement in part to the Major Leagues’ decision to integrate, and the words and phrases of the game (for example, pinch-hitter and out in left field) have become common in our everyday language. From AARON, HENRY onward, this book covers all of what might be called the cultural aspects of baseball (as opposed to the number-rich statistical information so widely available elsewhere). Biographical sketches of all Hall of Fame players, owners, executives and umpires, as well as many of the sportswriters and broadcasters who have won the Spink and Frick awards, join entries for teams, owners, commissioners and league presidents. Advertising, agents, drafts, illegal substances, minor leagues, oldest players, perfect games, retired uniform numbers, superstitions, tripleheaders, and youngest players are among the thousands of entries herein. Most entries open with a topical quote and conclude with a brief bibliography of sources for further research. The whole work is exhaustively indexed and includes 119 photographs.

After talks with baseball's owners broke down in the fall of 1889, some of the greatest players of the day jumped their contracts and declared open revolt against the American Association and National League. Tired of life under the hated reserve clause, which bound players to their teams and left them with no bargaining power, John Montgomery Ward and some 140 others set out to form a rival major league. The Players League would last only a season and end quite badly for both the players and the American Association, which folded a year later; but as a representation of the first major battle between the players and owners, the league occupies an important place in baseball history. This remarkably comprehensive book opens with an historical introduction to the league, including detailed information about its origins and failure. A biographical dictionary follows, with entries for every player in the league's brief tenure and additional profiles of prominent players who chose not to dignify the revolt with their participation. Profiles of the teams are also included.

This account of the four baseball seasons of 1900 through 1903 seeks to capture the flavor of the period by providing yearly overviews from the standpoint of each team and by focusing more deeply on 30 or more players of the era—not only such legendary stars as Cy Young and Willie Keeler, but also relative unknowns such as Bill Keister and Kip Selbach. Each team section is supplemented by a table providing the significant batting and pitching statistics for each regular team member. The major theme of the period was the baseball war between the National and American leagues from 1900 to 1903. But the broad multi-season, multi-team view allows varying the focus. The pennant races receive due attention but there are other aspects of the baseball drama, such as: the aging star who finds a way to extend his period of dominance (Cy Young); the young, unpolished phenom whose raw talent enables him to excel (Christy Mathewson); and the fierce competitor who risks injury to help his team (Joe McGinnity or Deacon Phillippe).