Product Description
In the view of contemporary players and sportswriters, Chicago Cub Johnny Kling was one of the greatest catchers of all time. A strong batter, Kling was even better behind the plate, where his strong arm, quick reactions, and even his chatter harried the opposition. He was by all accounts an indispensable part of Cubs teams that won four National League pennants and two World Series titles between 1906 and 1910. Yet today he is remembered by historians as a player at the center of two unresolved questions: Was Johnny Kling’s absence from baseball in 1909—during the prime of his career—the result of a salary holdout? And was he Jewish? This heavily researched biography ends the debate over those questions while restoring Kling to his place among the greats at his position. It covers in detail his exploits on and off the field (which included a world billiards championship in 1909) and his life after his playing career ended, when he became a philanthropist and gentleman farmer. The foreword is provided by Ernie Banks. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

major league disappointment
Kling was one of the top catchers of the deadball era, but Bogen pushes how important he was to the Cubs beyond anything reasonable. He continually writes that any game the Cubs lost was due to Kling's absence, and that any success was due solely to Kling's great catching, batting, and running of the game (forget team captain/manager Chance calling plays from First Base). This attitude gets overheated frequently. Bogen says that Chicago sorely missed Kling while he was out eight days for his father's funeral in 1906. A check reveals that the Cubs won all six games they played in Kling's absence. He blames Frank Chance for the 1-0 loss on April 18, 1907, due to the centerfielder's error. Why is the loss Chance's fault? Because he rested Kling that day.

Bogen blasts Chance continually. Chance purposely keeps Kling from catching 100 games in 1908 out of spite for his (perennial) early season holdout. He gives no credit to Pat Moran, the backup, for also being a premier catcher in this era, nor to Chance for wanting to rest Kling a little late in a season the Cubs won the pennant by 20 games. BTW, the Cubs were 6-1 during the period of Bogen's chart with Moran behind the plate, and 5-2 with Kling.

Bogen repeatedly states that Cubs owner Murphy deliberately "ruined" Kling's chance to open a successful pool hall in Cincinnati by refusing to trade him. Kling's business interests seemingly should be more important to the Cubs than winning a pennant, sinceBogen repeatedly tells us that the Cubs could hardly win a game with Kling, much less a pennant, but that Murphy "unfairly" kept him in Chicago. Bogen wants it both ways.

This book makes me think Kling shared that all-for-me attitude, making it less a wonder why he was not popular among his own teammates. Yet Bogen claims several times that only bad PR (such as a reporter calling Kling a "truant" after he tended his KC pool hall in 1909 rather than playing for the Cubs- what else should he be called?) and his religion kept Kling out of the HOF. After reading this book, I like Kling less than I did before, and that is probably not fair.

Despite writing two books about the period, Gil Bogen doesn't seem to know the players of the period - he spells Delahanty and McQuillan, with "e"s instead of "a"s, and inserts unwanted "e"s in Mike "Kelley", and "Leache". When an "e" is called for in Mike Mowrey, he omits it. He doesn't seem to realize that "Koney" was just a nickname for Ed Konetchy, rather than his name. He doesn't know the rules, saying that Kling got an "assist" when he tagged out a runner. He gets the date of Kling's dramatic (and only) home run in 1907 wrong, and then misses pointing out why it was so dramatic, a spot where lauding Kling would be expected.

Just a couple very short examples of poor writing. Bogen begins paragraphs with sentences such as these: "It's now time for the World Series." "The season moved forward." "Game One began." Kling is called a "potent factor" to the Cubs' 1907hopes twice within five lines of text.

Poor writing style, unreliable factual research, a pushy, relentless overstatement of Kling's rightfully considerable merits, and one-sidedness in all stories. Thank goodness for the new bio of Kling's battery mate, Three Finger Brown, which is everything this book should have been.

A book of Fiction with the Sprinking of a few Facts in his Stories
As to being Researched? The names were listed under Cling, not Kling. John Cling, born in Ohio, age six, is listed in the 1880 census, used by the author, but not mentioned in the book. Gear's letter in stated Fast horse, not a RACE Horse, he should have researched Gambling and transportion in the State of MO in 1907, Kling's parent's deaths were both listed in the KC Times and KC Journal, plus the days between their death's and funeral's, and being buried in KCMO at Union Cemetery. As to being Jewish?.The KCFD records only went back to 1912, why didn't the book pointed this out, their Historian told the author this. The listing as to the Jewish books and authors used in this book seems to have major problems as to facts, for more than 43 years, a few never knew the Kling name,it's listed as his real name being John Kline! as to one other written in 1965, four years before, Mr. Lee Allen had checked in 1969 as to Johnny being really jewish with his wife Lillian, why didn't the author show Mr. Allen's reply back to her on Feb 18,1965, thanking her for straighting out the mess at the HOF and that he's was taking her information to Roy Silver in NY so he could make corrections within the Jewish records. I will also point out the author failed to mention the 1970s phone call made by Mr, Joe Siegman with the International Jewish HOF to Mr. Jocobson, Johnny's jewish son in-law, who also stated that Lillian was Jewish, Johnny wasn't. As to a few of the credits listed in the book?Seems some are non existence, including at the HOF and KCMO. the Public library.The May, 2000, Frank Kling letter in the book, as to it's contents has changed, from the one sent to the HOF in 2003 to be put into Kling's Files also.The 92 year old lady, Mrs. Allen's conversation with author, I can't believe, her mother didn't tell her that her own father in-law was Jewish, Bennie Allen. The author's research should havefound the facts, that two of Johnny's sister's son's were also World Champions,making them also Jewish Star's, Carl Schutte and Bennie Allen.So the book's use of calling John in 1909 based on a reported fire, a liar in so many words, Plus, Lillian later in the Book as a questionable liar, Then supported by their own Johnny on the spot,Chicago grandson, who's own mother was baptisted, Lutheran, years before he was born, is a disgrace. The hold out issue was covered in 1910 thru the media, why is this Great man's name in baseball, still beingtargeted andused for decades, by fiction writers? So I'd say, this book contains a lot more than the smelling of Fresh bread for starters, Plus lack's Major key area's of research, before it's being considered a Biography ,The finding of Johnny being Jewish might be rewarding to a few under the age of 12,once again? At least it was in the 1963 in jewish fun stamp history book for kids, but even they were told his Real name was KLINE.

It is sure to turn on its head everything, the smart guys thought they knew about Johnny Kling.

In Johnny Kling, a Baseball Biography, Gil Bogen has written an important book.It is sure to turn on its head everything, the smart guys thought they knew about Johnny Kling.

The book's aim is to restore Johnny Kling to his place among the baseball greats and to open the door to the HOF to this neglected and forgotten star.

Some of the conclusion this books reaches will shake up the baseball world.

It will refuel the debates about whether Kling was or was not the first great Jewish baseball star.

The undeniable fact is that when Kling played and lived, he was thought to a Jew.

Only after his death did this aspect of the man's life come under question.Surprisingly, Johnny's wife was the one who denied his Jewish background in a series of baffling letters throughout a long period of time.


This new, compelling biography will raise new questions about why Johnny's wife, Lillian, wrote the contradictory and mysterious letters that denied him his Jewish background.

Before this book, only a few, mostly in private letters, have dared to questioned Lillian on those letters, or have tried to explain or reconcile her motivations.Most have taken her letters at face value, even though they were obviously contradictory, and contained questionable statements.

The writer explains those curiosities of so long ago that changed baseball history for Johnny Kling but did nothing to help his wife achieve her goal of getting Johnny in baseball's Hall of Fame.

Along the way, Bogen points out that Kling has gotten a raw deal from baseball historians about the year he supposedly held out.

He tells how the incident has been distorted and falsified since then.

Perhaps most revealingly, he points out that this event caused ill feelings with his fellow teammates and other baseball people. How it caused Frank Chance not to trust Kling and to blame him for their Cubs' failure to win the World Series against the A's.

He also points out that Kling caused bad feelings, again, among baseball people when he allowed blacks to attend Kansas City Blues games in the 1930's.After the Yankees bought the club from Johnny, they reinstated to old discriminatory policy to excluded blacks from the games.


Bogen hints that Kling's open door policy riled up the KKK in Kansas City, and certainly implies that they may have burned down one of Johnny's property, the Dickinson Theater, about two weeks after the policy was in place.Apparently, this incident was not thoroughly investigated at the time.

On ahopeful note,He concludes, "If that ain't great, what is?And if that doesn't entitle him to entry into the Hall of Fame, what will?"

One hopes that this book finally opens the doors to the HOF for this important and great player.





... Read more

Book Description

Created in conjunction with the Chicago Cubs, a unique tribute to baseball's most beloved landmark

Wrigley Field brings to life and pays tribute to one of baseball's greatest ballparks. The story of this revered park, from its opening in 1914 through today, this revered park's story is gloriously depicted in picture and in word. This up-close-and personal record, proves why Wrigley is sacred ground to millions, from its manually operated scoreboard and the climbing green ivy of its outfield walls, to the raucous bleacher bums and bright days bathed in sunlight, massaged by Lake Michigan's soothing breezes. It is a refuge, it is a haven, it is an escape­­from the workweek or from homework. Produced with the full cooperation of the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field pays fitting tribute to the ballpark's extraordinary nine decades­its history and unique features, its vitality, its people, and its greatest moments­­through intimate, enthralling perspectives from the team's official photographer, Stephen Green, as well asteam and private archives. Wrigley Field is the most stunningly visual and complete book ever on this beloved park that is like no other.

Customer Reviews (2)

A Wonderful Photographic Portrait Of This Legendary Building
Wrigley Field may be one of the oldest arenas in the world of sports, but its one of the most legendary.The building was once called an "edifice of beauty" by Charles Weeghman, its designer.The stadium was originally named Weeghman Park when it was built in 1914, then to Cubs Park in 1920, and finally to Wrigley Field in 1926.It has undergone numerous renovations over the years since being built as a single-decked structure in 1914.It was the original home of the Chicago Whales, or Chi-Feds, of the Federal League before the Cubs moved there from West Side Grounds in 1916.It is famous for its ivy-covered outfield wall and its manually-operated scoreboard, and more recently for stirring renditions of Take Me Out To The Ball Game during the middle of the seventh inning.Wrigley Field is to baseball what the Boston Garden was to basketball and the Montreal Forum was to hockey.It may be considered a modern-day version of the Colosseum in Rome.It truly is a structure of amazing design and shows no sign of going obsolete as it is constantly being improved and updated.Colorful photographs of this sports palace abound in this entertaining and informative book.It is considered a landmark alongside all the other buildings that have made Chicago one of the world's great cities.The stadium was also home to the Chicago Bears of the National Football League for many decades before moving to Soldier Field in 1970.A must-read for baseball fans or sports fans in general, and especially for Cubs fans who have endured a losing baseball team for so many years.

Gorgeous coffee table book for baseball fans
If you've ever been to Wrigley, few words can describe the feeling you get as a baseball fan.This book manages to capture a lot of those images and feelings, tracing the history of Wrigley Field and getting lots of insight from fans, players, coaches and more about what makes it special. Gorgeous photos throughout punctuate an excellent narrative.A must for fans of ballpark books. ... Read more

Book Description
In a landmark work that continues the tradition established fifty years ago by the legendary Tom Meany, sports analyst David Shiner fills in the last fifty years with portraits of modern baseball's Greats. From Aaron to Yastrzemski, Dave tells the stories of how and why the greatest players achieved so much. Filled with thrills and insights into what made them tick, Baseball's Greatest Players is a hit in its own right. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Linking Baseball's Best
As we share Shiner's nostalgia, we rediscover Aaron, Mays, McCovey, Mantle, and Gibson, old heros, old memories. Baseballs Greatest Players, The Saga Continues is more than a Who's Who of baseball, it's a way of life, a catalog of events, a collection of memories. As Shiner reveals the greatest players, we, who are old enough to remember, bask in their glory and relive our own unachieved ambitions.

But Shiner does more than take us back, he bundles the past with the present and into the future, tyingthe memories together forever in our minds. McGuire's record-setting season rekindles other home run hitters: Roger Maris, Reggie Jackson, Mickey Mantle, even Babe Ruth. We connect to the present, even anticipate the future. McGuire's 70 home run season triggers a vision of people diving into San Francisco Bay to retrieve the balls Barry Bonds his in 2001, the year he surpassed McGuire's record.

Baseball fans will love this book, others will like it. It's clearly, simply, and accurately presented and guaranteed to stir a memory or two.

One For The Books
With the writing of Baseball's Greatest Players, author David Shiner takes a serious risk.The only thing a sports fan loves more than making a "greatest list" is arguing voluably about why the other guy's list is WRONG!One read of this book will shut down most any other greatest list's chances, and it does so with style, wit, and a healthy dose of readable fact.

In its text, Shiner's book fulfils both the needs of casual fan's interest and the SABR-members desire for solid, quantifiable statistical evidence.But it goes beyond just fact and storytelling to get to the intangibles that separate the players truly great between the white lines from those whose personality and dedication supported not just their teams, but the game itself.

Baseball, more than any other sport (though Canadian hockey fans will rightly take exception to this) carries its past with it.This continuity, this love of the game that both transcends and unites generations is served well by Shiner's writing.Buy Baseball's Greatest Players, and take it to a sports bar near you.You won't go wrong.

50 Years of Baseball's Best Players--Fun and Interesting!
It's hard not to enjoy this well written, easily readable book on baseball's best players of the past 50 years.Lively anecdotes plus comprehensive (but not boring) analysis shows exactly why these are the best players of the game.I got a kick out of remembering a lot of things I had almost forgotten, like just how good Bob Gibson was.Some of the facts are amazing, like that in the last two years Sandy Koufax pitched, there were 8 games where the Dodgers only scored one run for him--but he won 4 of them.This book also avoids wallowing in sex and drug garbage.It's a baseball book, not National Enquirer.Balanced, interesting, a really solid piece of work.

Fun & Interesting Book on Baseball
Brief synopses of baseball's best players during the past 50 years.Fun and informative.Enjoyed reading this, think others would also.

GREAT BOOK ON BASEBALL'S GREAT PLAYERS!
What an enjoyable book!I loved it.Great short biographies of the greatest baseball players from the past 50 years.For the serious baseball fan or the novice (or anyone who wants to know the story behind legendary players like Mantle and Mays, or why Ricky Henderson really IS one of the greatest players ever).Whether you are ten or eighty, this book is fun, interesting, and helps explain why millions love baseball--and their heroes!Makes a great gift for kids or adults.Exciting stories, well written. ... Read more

Product Description
Side One Features Cub Players And Sounds Of Wrigley Field; Side 2 Has Cub Songs Performed In Dixieland Style; Bleacher Bum Eight With John Frigo On Bass, Arranger & Conductor ... Read more

Product Description
Includes Band Music By Bleacher Bum Eight With John Frigo On Bass, Arranger & Conductor ... Read more