A Summer to Remember: Bill Veeck, Lou Boudreau, Bob Feller, and the 1948 Cleveland Indians

The book was full of information about 1948 and the Cleveland Indians most recent World Series winner. The author told lots of stories about the various players on that team and other teams. What stayed with me was just what gentlemen these players were. They each seemed to take responsibility for any failures they had. They put the team ahead of their own egos. They shared their individual successes with the entire team. Manager-player Lou Boudreau, players Bob Feller, Larry Doby, Gene Beardon, and Bob Lemon are shown to be very unselfish in their quest for the World Series trophy. Owner Bill Veeck was always fair to his players (when in 1948, before free agency, many owners were downright unfair to players.) He never saw color and was a pioneer among owners when he signed the American League's first black player and later the second black team manager..both were Larry Doby, one of the games classiest men. When Veeck signed a Negro League player, he always paid that team a fair cash price. Many owners paid nothing for their Negro League players. Overall, this book could be titled "The Good Guys Won!" There is also a moment after game four when a special thing happened between two Indians players. You'll need to read the book to find out, but you will be touched by what happened!

As an Indian's fan starting in the early 80's i didn't know much about some of the names in their ring of honor. I now understand how important Boudreau and others were to that team. The season was magical and things fell into place.

I found nothing new in this book. Practically each chapter is a mini-biography of the major individuals involved in the 1948 Cleveland Indians. The information provided can be found in any one of several other baseball books such as Veeck As In Wreck. I found the book to be written on a level for middle school students, not that middle school students would be interested in the 1948 Cleveland Indians. I'm no longer a football fan but I found author Lew Freedman's book entitled "Clouds Over the Goalpost" to be an enjoyable read whereas this baseball book, a sport I do follow, to be one that I will donate to the local public library rather than add it to my baseball library. I would have liked to say I enjoyed this book but I am being generous by rating it two stars.

Good book, but too light on stories, which is what I was looking for.

Good summary of AL baseball in 1948, very factual, learned a lot about individual players, owners, and ,managers. Easy read

I usually enjoy baseball related books and thought that this may be an interesting subject to read about. However I found this book to lack any depth or analysis and equivalent to the "as told to" biographies I read in Junior High. The writing is so insipid and the analogies so corny that I was unable to even finish the book. Save your money and skip this one unless you happen to equate Bill Veeck to the 2nd coming.

A+

Being an Indians fan is tough but this book celebrates a good time to remember.