Ever since becoming America’s national pastime, baseball has
found a way to thrive in all parts of the country, no matter how remote,
crowded or challenging the terrain. This includes the beautifully mountainous
Montana, which is a state that may not boast any major league teams, but as it
turns out has a rich history with the game. This is detailed in the new book by
Skylar Browning and Jeremy Watterson, titled Montana Baseball History ($21.99,
Arcadia Publishing. Available at local retailers, online bookstores, or through
Arcadia Publishing and the History Press at www.arcadiapublishing.com or
888-323-2665).
If there are two people who should have a good handle on
Montana baseball, its locals Browning (news editor) and Watterson (worked as a
radio color man for baseball games and is a baseball historian). They put their
knowledge and proximity to good use in this volume, turning out what amounts to
a full-fledged historical site in 174 pages of solid writing and beautiful
photographs.
Divided into four sections (baseball origins in the state;
Montanans who played major league ball; major leaguers who later called Montana
home; and the Pioneer League), Montana Baseball History is smartly set up so readers
can either skip around to what may interest them, or can read straight through it
as they would any traditional book.
Like many areas of the country, baseball first came to
Montana primarily as a game played by those who worked in local industry—in
this case the military and mines. From pick-up games enjoyed by soldiers in
General George Armstrong Custer’s ill-fated army, to spirited town ball games
and leagues, the state has as rich a tradition as any when it comes to the
early days.
Fewer than 25 native-born Montanans have played in the
majors, so not a lot of room is needed to do them justice. Led by former
Baltimore Orioles 20-game winner Dave McNally, probably the most famous of the
bunch, each of these players is described with a brief history, including what
they accomplished after reaching the big leagues. It’s not a star-studded
roster—in fact the vast majority were players who more or less had “cups of
coffee” on baseball’s biggest stage—but their sum achievements are something
any region can be proud of.
Initially, the section of ballplayers who came to call
Montana home in some fashion seemed a bit of a stretch. After all, most of them
moved there to find economic opportunity or a home, and their connection to the
region seemed a little stretched for the concept of this book. However, on
closer inspection, it was nice to have the full scope of all those associated
with baseball who have passed through, regardless if they were born there or
discovered the state’s appeal later in life.
Browning and Watterson connect Montana’s present time to
baseball with their discussion of the Pioneer League, which is still a
Rookie-level circuit churning out quality major league players from raw-boned
prospects. George Brett, Bobby Cox, Joey Votto and Paul Goldschmidt are just a
few of the game’s luminaries who have played the game in Big Sky Country before
eventually graduating to the majors. Although their time there may have been fleeting,
they make up a big part of this story.
Montana Baseball History is a basic history for the masses.
No one subject is given more than two or three pages. However, given how much
total ground they cover in its modest length, it’s hard to not be impressed.
This is a book to pick up regardless of whether you are interested in just
baseball, or if you are specifically curious of its place in the state of
Montana.
Disclaimer: I was provided with
a free copy of this book, but received no payment or other consideration for
this review.
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