Baseball in Greenville and Spartanburg (SC)

by Bob Nestor

Baseball, an important institution in every American town, takes centerfield in the histories of Greenville and Spartanburg, South Carolina. These two cities have hosted some of the most well-known players of all time, from Tommy Lasorda and Chipper Jones to "Shoeless Joe" Jackson, the man who will forever link Greenville and Spartanburg with America's game. Baseball in Greenville and Spartanburg chronicles the diamond game as it has been played in the Carolina Upstate. More than a century of games from the Minor League, Textile League, and Big League clubs, along with high school and collegiate teams, are showcased. An older Joe Jackson still plays ball, a patriotic Joe Anders impresses crowds in the 1940s, and the Greenville Spinners, Greenville Braves, and the Spartanburg Phillies bring the crowds to their feet. The greats teach the game to tomorrow's stars, while tomorrow's stars perfect their talent, all with the Blue Ridge Foothills rising in the distance.

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Don Heiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2003 Arciada Publishing released Bob A. Nestor’s book “Baseball in Greenville and Spartanburg: Images of Baseball.” Nestor’s book is about the history of baseball in the upstate South Carolina communities from Clemson, to Greenberg and Spartanburg along the Interstate 85 corridor. The game of baseball in this corridor began at Wofford College in 1869 and from this beginning the corridor teams sent an amazing number of professional players to the baseball major leagues. These players included talents like Chipper Jones, Tommy Lasorda, Nolan Ryan, Ryne Sandburg, and Tom Glavine to mention a few.. Nestor’s chapter on Shoeless Joe Jackson is fascinating. His book has 216 pictures that feature industry textile league, minor league, school/collegiate teams and big league player profiles. When the book was published, Nestor was a Society of America Baseball Research member and writing professor. (P)

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic photographs and history of baseball in the Greenville-Spartanburg area. Would recommend to anyone wanting to know more about baseball in the Upstate!