Examines the history of Yankee Stadium and its importance to the people and politics of New York, looking at the teams, mayors, and players involved.

Discusses the business aspects of baseball, including free agents, salary arbitration, new stadiums, franchise moves, expansion teams, the minor leagues, television revenue, cable broadcasts, and beer commercials

Chronicles the turbulent rise, decline, and revival of the minor leagues from the nineteenth century to the present

Product Description: This impressive history of baseball in the smaller towns and cities of the U.S. is divided into three sections. The first covers the years from 1877 to 1920, when the modern game was evolving and the general outlines of major and minor leagues were taking shape; the second treats the period from 1920 to 1950, the golden age of the minors; the third is devoted to the expansion of the majors and the rise of television, both of which all but destroyed the minors, reducing the number of leagues from 59 to 21...read more

Stressing the vital role of city politicians on both coasts, this book provides insights into the Brooklyn Dodgers' move to Los Angeles in 1958 and reveals the relationship between sports franchises and public funding (view table of contents)