Blackguards and Red Stockings

William J. Ryczek is a finance professional from Wallingford, Connecticut, who writes about early baseball, football, the Yankees, and the Mets.

• Table of ContentsIntroduction1. Opening Day2. Elysian Fields to Fort Wayne3. Collier’s Rooms4. The Game5. The Players6. Play Ball7. The First Pennant Race8. The Pernicious Practice9. A ­Two-Tiered League10. The Tournament11. Financial Troubles12. The Umpire13. A New Powerhouse14. The Mutuals15. Boston Makes a Run16. The Return of the White Stockings17. A Trip to Europe18. Going for Three19. Not Cricket20. The Mutuals Repulsed21. Going West22. The Force Case23. Going Broke24. An Early Challenge25. A Little Chin Music, Maestro26. A Stunning Succession27. Grand Central HotelAppendix—Selected Statistics: Statistical Leaders of the National Association, 1871–75Chapter NotesBibliographyIndex

“a comprehensive examination of the history of the National Association of baseball”—ProtoView; “Until 1969, no one had any doubt that the National Association of 1871–75 was the first big league, but then Major League Baseball changed its view and cast the NA into official darkness. Bill Ryczek loves that unruly, raucous circuit...so do I...and he unveils its story brilliantly.”—John Thorn, Official Historian of Major League Baseball; Reviews of the first edition: “an extensive amount of research...very informative...excellent”—Nine; “engaging...a good discussion of strategy”—Choice; “an excellent guide to a murky period in baseball’s past...strongly recommend[ed]”—Nineteenth Century Notes; “comprehensive”—Reference & Research Book News; “diligent research and flavorsome writing...reliable, comprehensive history”—Baltimore Evening Sun; “intriguing...extremely rare look into the first professional sports league”—Houston Post; “[This book] sparkles with the author’s wit and charm of a bygone era. It is an exhaustively researched, beautifully fashioned account of the National Association. All baseball histories should be this good!”—Darryl Brock, author of If I Never Get Back.