A Class C minor league during a turbulent 15 years: its stirring history reveals what minor league baseball–indeed, all of baseball–was experiencing. Begun in the Depression, this league saw the coming of night baseball, World War II, the prosperous postwar era, pioneering racial integration, a deadly competition with television, and a final demise. And here are the stories of stars in the making: Bob Lemon, Tommy Lasorda, Al Rosen, Lew Burdette, Frank Malzone, Vic Raschi, Gus Triandos, and "Spec" Shea. Future MLB pennant-winning managers Eddie Sawyer and Mayo Smith. One-armed outfielder Pete Gray. Future congressman (and JFK roommate and pal) Torby MacDonald. Mass murderer Conklyn Meriweather. A ball park that miraculously rose from its own ashes. The tragic war death of prospect Billy Southworth Jr. Plus its unique parish priest league president. This book–through groundbreaking research and dozens of personal interviews–captures the essence of minor league ball in a bygone but beloved era.

“fascinating” — Sports Collectors Digest