Chicago Cubs Yesterday & Today - Couverture rigide

Johnson, Steve

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 0760332460 ISBN 13 : 9780760332467

Editeur : MVP Books, 2008

A propos du livre

Revue de presse :

On the title page, the reader is greeted by two fantastic photos. The portrait of Cubs great Ernie Banks is an instant reminder of the calibre of player that has represented the club over the years, but it is the shot of Wrigley Field that catches the eye. Taken from ground level, the photo shows a packed-out, two-tier main grandstand set beneath a stunning early evening red sky. With the Cubs playing their arch-rivals, the St Louis Cardinals, on the field below, it is a perfect picture and immediately compels you to start flicking through the pages to search for others of similar brilliance. Thankfully, the following 250+ photos do not disappoint. In fact, the photos are so good that it is easy to overlook the accompanying text on first inspection. This is not a comprehensive narrative of the Cubs history; instead the book is split into more than forty short sections ranging from the story of how they arrived at their nickname, to a two-page spread on their minor league affiliate teams. A dedicated Cubs fan won t find many new revealing insights in Johnson s prose, but that s not really his intention. Rather than being an authoritative text, it is an enjoyable overview that combines great photos with concise and engaging writing.The Chicago Cubs have a rich history and tradition to explore and it is here that the text has the most impact. Johnson states that 'since the inception of the National League in 1876, the Chicago franchise is the only one of the inaugural eight still operating in the same city'. As such, these sections provide not only an overview of the Cubs history, but also a history of MLB as a whole. The formation and development of the National League and the Championship Series are covered as well as more general themes such as changes to uniforms and salaries over the years. The Cubs also offer a useful opportunity to look at the 'breaking of the race barrier', with the team having a notable integration record with both players (the aforementioned Banks being a great example) and managers (most recently Don Baylor and Dusty Baker).Cubs fans will be glad to know that the author successfully defends their honour by making a convincing case against the loveable losers tag. While the World Series may have alluded them for a century (and counting), Johnson notes that their overall record is very impressive, with only five franchises holding a better winning percentage. Their record is backed up by the group of players profiled throughout the book. Taking each position in turn, Johnson charts the lineage of stand-out players who have worn the Cubbies uniform. Third base for example begins with Ned Williamson, who manned the hot corner during the 1880s, before profiling the likes of Stan Hack, fan favourite Ron Santo and the current incumbent Aramis Ramirez.With such a strong winning record and a host of good players, it s not hard to understand why some of the more obsessive Cubs fans believe that their World Series drought is the product of mysterious forces. Johnson explains the dreaded Curse of the Billy Goat as well as the 'gaffes and controversies' that have conspired against them. Fans of the Cubbies should be warned that this book does contain a photo of the Bartman incident!There are separate sections on some of the key characteristics of the ballpark, from the bleaches (both the official bleaches and the wildcat bleaches on the roofs of the surrounding buildings), to the scoreboard and the infamous ivy on the outfield walls. The wider Wrigley Experience is also revealed in sections about the fans, game day snacks and the 'voices of the Cubs', such as legendary announcer Harry Caray. If you have visited Wrigley Field, this book will bring the memories flooding back. If you haven t, you will start saving up for a road trip straight away. --BaseballGB

If your a Red Sox fan, Yankees fan, Dodgers fan, or Angels fan, your not going to be particularly thrilled with this book. You'll like it, but not love it. However, if you are among the millions, world wide, that love their Cubs you must own this book. It's nostalgia and current. Great photos and a story worth telling. For every Cubs fan that needs help getting through the winter, in Chicago, this book is a must have. --Cubs Fan

Through poetic and personal writing combined with powerful and passionate photographs author Tammy Lechner magnificently depicts and explains the Cubs Fans' journey of hope and faith. This book belongs in the home of anyone who loves the Chicago Cubs. I cannot imagine a Cubs fan who would not see this book as coming from their own heart and soul, and describing their own story of why the Chicago Cubs are loved by so many. It is a one-of-a kind, must-have, long-awaited visual narrative of the Cubs fans devotion that travels through time from winter to spring, summer to fall, visiting Chicago, Arizona... Banks, Williams, Sandberg and Grace... and fellow Cubs fans from Chicago to St. Louis to San Diego. --Midwest Book Review

Présentation de l'éditeur :

Open this book and explore the life and times of one of the most storied franchises in all of professional sports, the Chicago Cubs. Pairing historical black-and-white images with contemporary photographs of the modern game, Chicago Cubs Yesterday & Today celebrates more than a century of ups and downs in the history of the team and its legions of rabid fans.

The book examines the ballparks, the teams, the players, and the colorful characters that have defined Cubs baseball and earned the loyalty of fans nationwide. Photos and text trace the history of the ball club from its origins in the 1870s to the latest accomplishments on the field, comparing the diamond heroes of today with those of yesteryear.

In these pages you will encounter legendary batsmen from the Cubs roster, hitters like Cap Anson, Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, Ryne Sandberg, Sammy Sosa, and Derrek Lee. Youll see the dominating pitchers, from Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown to Carlos Zambrano. And youll meet the stars of the broadcast booth---Jack Brickhouse, Ronald Reagan, Harry Caray---and other behind-the-scenes figures who have played a revolutionary role in the development of the team and the game of baseball.

A feast for Cubs fans and baseball aficionados, this journey through more than a hundred years of Chicago baseball encapsulates our national pastime at its best. It is the next best thing to a seat at Wrigley Field on a sunny summer afternoon.

À propos de cette édition

• Éditeur: MVP Books
• Date d'édition: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0760332460
• ISBN 13: 9780760332467
• Reliure: Relié
• Numéro d'édition: 1
• Nombre de pages: 144