Outside the Lines of Gilded Age Baseball: Gambling, Umpires, and Racism in 1880s Baseball

by Rob Bauer

Although on the decline, the threat of gambling on games continued menacing baseball in the 1880s. One issue that certainly was not in decline, however, was the abuse of umpires. Arguments and rows between players, fans, and umpires ranks among the most important issues in the game in this decade. Several major fights broke out every season. Many times, umpires narrowly escaped with their life. At least twice, they killed fans in their own self-defense. How did the situation grow so serious? Equally regrettably, the 1880s was the decade in which baseball drew its color line, banning African Americans from the game. Even after that decision, however, racism showed its face in more subtle ways. Learn how prejudice continued to mar the game throughout the decade, especially when it came to baseball's treatment of mascots.

197 pages, Paperback

Published March 9, 2018

About the author

I’m Rob Bauer, author of historical fiction and nonfiction books and owner of Rob Bauer Books. I hold a PhD in American History and was a Distinguished Doctoral Fellow at the University of Arkansas.

I love writing historical fiction. To me, it’s a continuation of what I used to do as a college professor—educate people about interesting historical events—except now I get to do so through fun stories. With historical fiction I hope I can reach a larger audience, too. My first novel is free to everyone on my website! You can find it at - http://robbauerbooks.com/a-free-ebook...

I also write nonfiction about baseball history because I’ve always loved the game, its history, and its lore. I sometimes joke that baseball may be the one thing in life I truly understand. Although I love the statistical side of the game, if you don’t, never fear because my histories go light on the statistics and heavy on what baseball was like in the past. They’re stories about baseball, but stories with a point.

The history blog on my website offers posts on a variety of interesting historical figures and events. I’d love to have you follow along at - http://robbauerbooks.com/blog/

When I’m not working on my next story or writing project, I enjoy spending time at the beach. And, oh yeah, I still read a history book or two. When I’m not watching baseball.

Reviews

[Bruno Bianchi]

Sport Reflects Life

This is the second book in a great series. If you’re a hard core baseball fan you serve yourself well reading it. Covering the topics of gambling, umpiring and racism in the 1880s game, it demonstrates that sport is always a true reflection of the society within which it operates.

Most intriguing to me is the fact that during that era so many people were fans of a professional game they rarely saw played live. At the time, games were played only by day and the National League did not play on Sundays. 2000 spectators was considered a large crowd at a game. There was no radio or TV. Most people worked a 6 day week. Nonetheless, they followed and cared about Major League Baseball. Scores would be telegraphed at the end of each inning to barrooms across the country. Since most fans were most likely working and not inclined to be hanging around some random bar on a weekday afternoon, they got all their knowledge of the major league game from newspapers.

What I got most out of this book is that despite the distant and disembodied way they got information about the sport, fans were passionate. And after reading about some of the on-field activities of the era, those fortunate enough to attend could be very passionate. The average fan experienced the game as if they were a prisoner in Plato’s cave.

Dr. Bauer presents all this in a very stylish, well written manner. If you’re a fan of the game and love history you will love this book.

[Chip Rickard]

Good historical information on issues in 1880s baseball. One of the saddest parts of the book when Bauer wrote about team mascots who were almost invariably African American. They would be treated well for a while but when the team(s) began to lose, the mascot(s) were blamed. Also another interesting passage about the danger of betting on one's own team to win.

[Jarred Goodall]

I learned a good amount from this book, and it was above-average. However, I wish he had more. Still, I applaud Dr. Bauer's effort.

[Zach Rebackoff]

Great

So much joy in learning the history of this era. Unearthing was indeed eye opening and educational. I will read other books from this author.