Curt Flood Story - The Man Behind the Myth

Curt Flood, former star center fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, is a hero to many for selflessly sacrificing his career to challenge baseball's reserve system. Sportswriters and fans have helped to paint a picture of Flood as a larger-than-life figure, a portrait that, unhappily, cannot stand closer inspection. This book reveals the real Flood--more man than myth. Drawing on previously untapped sources, Weiss explains how Flood's battle against the reserve system cannot be understood in isolation from the personal experiences that precipitated it, such as his youth in a dysfunctional home, his unwavering commitment to the Cardinals, and his alcoholism. It shows that Flood was neither a hero nor a martyr but a victim of unique circumstances and his own life.

About the author

Stuart L. Weiss, Professor Emeritus of History at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, is author of The President's Man: Leo Crowley and Franklin Roosevelt in Peace and War. He resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Summary

Curt Flood is a hero to many for selflessly sacrificing his career to challenge the legality of baseball's reserve system. Sportswriters and fans alike have helped to paint a picture of Flood as a larger-than-life figure, a portrait that, unhappily, cannot stand closer inspection. This book reveals the real Curt Flood - more man than myth.

Product details

• Authors: Stuart L. Weiss
• Publisher: University of Missouri Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.08.2018
• EAN: 9780826221728
• ISBN: 978-0-8262-2172-8
• No. of pages: 272
• Series: Sports & American Culture; Sports and American Culture
• Subjects: Guides > Sport; Non-fiction book > Politics, society, business > Biographies, autobiographies; Social sciences, law, business > Ethnology > Folklore; Baseball, Ethnic Studies, BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Sports, Biography / Autobiography, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Ethnic Studies / African American Studies, SPORTS & RECREATION / Baseball / History