When the Red Sox Ruled

There is no denying that few teams in baseball have a history as dramatic and storied as the Boston Red Sox, love them or hate them. Whalen (Dynasty's End: Bill Russell and the1968–69 World Champion Boston Celtics) explores the birth of baseball in America and analyzes why the early Red Sox teams were so dominant. His book features larger-than-life and all-too-real characters, introducing readers to everyone from legendary players and rabid fans to shrewd team owners and baseball-crazed politicians. Full of photos and anecdotes that bring the players and their stories to life, this book is rich in detail and lively descriptions. Contemporary accounts of key games and insights into players' personalities at the time lend color and authenticity. Whalen sets the story of Boston baseball within the context of American politics, labor disputes, and business, making for a thoroughly compelling read.