Includes bibliographical references (pages 240-242) and index.
Contents:
Part I. Red Sox Before World War II: "Bust You on Your Nose" -- "As Good as Man as Him -- Fictionlike -- Part II. Wartime: Infamy -- 1A? -- Till We Meet Again -- "Three Hustling Negroes" -- "It's Great to be Alive" -- Ghosts of the Field -- Part III. Coming Home: Peace -- The Best Years of our Lives -- "Great Hitter Who Needs a Kick in the Pants" -- He Promised to be On Time -- "Different Muscles Than They Used in the Service" -- Last Chance -- Teepees in Beantown -- "I Would Sign an Elephant" -- Part IV. The 1946 Season-The First Half: Opening Day(s) -- Spring World Series -- "Williams, the Greatest of all Time" -- Part V. The 1946 Season-The Second Half: A Shift -- "Easier to Give Him His Pint of Blood" -- The Darkness -- Clincher -- Playing Out the Schedule -- National League Playoffs/All -Stars Come to Boston -- Part VI. The 1946 World Series: All Aboard -- Batting Practice -- The Games -- Epilogue
Summary:
"Boston writer Michael Connolly captures the magic of American's return to normalcy after World War II in this intimate portrait of a city and the baseball team it loves. Fenway 1946 celebrates the city and the team and the spirit of that wonderful 1946 season in Boston--a season, as usual the broke fans' hearts--as America returned to return to peacetime pastimes. And none was more American than baseball. Along the way he brings out the stories and personalities that made that year so special in the Hub. From returning veterans like Ted Williams and young Congressman John F. Kennedy and thousands of others and their families who worried while they were in Europe or the Pacific, the 1946 Red Sox season was a celebration. It was catharsis. It was what made American great. Husbands and sons were coming home to the open arms of a grateful nation. This included five hundred major leaguers who fought in World War II. The homecoming of America's best sparked a spirit of collective pride from coast to coast--and New England was not exempt. For the previous five years, America sat around its radio listening to war reports. Now they would gather in the parlors to enjoy baseball once again. Baseball had always been a thread that connected the country--a sport that linked generations. Opening Day 1946 was a tangible reminder that the country was at peace - back to the way things were. Nowhere was this more relevant than in Boston. From Scollay Square to South Boston to the North End, veterans in their uniforms, kids with bats over their shoulder and housewives were talking about the return of Ted Williams and a roster that was considered the best in the league. Expectations were high - as always, at Fenway Park. Fans somehow knew this would be their year. The 1946 Boston Red Sox finished first in the American League with a record of 104 wins and 50 losses. And they wouldn't disappoint (until October)"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.