The Detroit Tigers : club and community, 1945-1995 / Patrick J. Harrigan.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

A vivid portrait of a team, a sport and its far-reaching influence. The Detroit Tigers are a curious reflection of America's post-war urban society and this book illustrates the inextricable links between this team and its hometown.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

If one is looking for a history of the Tigers's exploits on the field during the half-century covered, this is not the book. But if one wishes to learn about the beliefs and strategies of management in its relationship to team and community, then this concise volume meets that objective quite well. Tigers management was among the most conservative in baseball, and its fortunes reflected this stance. Resistant to the integration of baseball and to acknowledging the changing racial composition of Detroit, it clung to the old ways in appealing to fans, in its recruitment of players and other employees, and in its approach to the media. Whereas Babe Ruth was probably baseball's most influential figure in the first 50 years of this century, Harrigan, perhaps without recognizing it, makes abundantly clear that Marvin Miller was Ruth's counterpart in the second 50. As with many volumes these days, there are incorrect names (Charles Wrigley, Frank Bancroft), misstatements, misspellings, and occasional jumbled sentences. Extensive notes, tables, and appendixes. Still, well worth reading and an excellent reference. All levels. W. F. Gustafson; emeritus, San Jose State University