Christy Mathewson, the Christian Gentleman: How One Man's Faith and Fastball Forever Changed Baseball
Nearly a century after his final major league appearance, Christy Mathewson is still considered one of the greatest right-handed pitchers in the history of baseball. Mathewson ranks in the top ten among pitchers for wins, shutouts, and ERA, and in 1936 he was honored as one of the inaugural members of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Playing in the early twentieth century, Mathewson was the nation’s first All-American hero, a man of Christianity inspiring the values of millions while bringing dignity to a game that had previously been reserved for rougher characters.

In Christy Mathewson, the Christian Gentleman: How One Man's Faith and Fastball Forever Changed Baseball, Bob Gaines delivers a close and personal look at the extraordinary life and soul of a gifted man living in a unique time. After growing up in a loving, Christian home and attending Bucknell University under the careful watch of his childhood pastor, Mathewson struggled to find his footing in the unsavory world of professional baseball. Seen as an “intellectual college boy” whose shy personality was misinterpreted as an aloof arrogance, Mathewson’s faith and character were put to the test. Through strong will and an unusual partnership with John McGraw—a manager his exact opposite in everything but a desire to succeed and a fervent belief in God—Christy became the most admired and respected man on his team.

Christy Mathewson, the Christian Gentleman features details on Christy’s childhood and college years not documented by other sports historians—information discovered by the author in Mathewson’s hometown, the churches he attended, and college archives. Including timeless images, this book brings to life Mathewson’s amazing career, faultless character, and unwavering faith.
1120633497
Christy Mathewson, the Christian Gentleman: How One Man's Faith and Fastball Forever Changed Baseball
Nearly a century after his final major league appearance, Christy Mathewson is still considered one of the greatest right-handed pitchers in the history of baseball. Mathewson ranks in the top ten among pitchers for wins, shutouts, and ERA, and in 1936 he was honored as one of the inaugural members of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Playing in the early twentieth century, Mathewson was the nation’s first All-American hero, a man of Christianity inspiring the values of millions while bringing dignity to a game that had previously been reserved for rougher characters.

In Christy Mathewson, the Christian Gentleman: How One Man's Faith and Fastball Forever Changed Baseball, Bob Gaines delivers a close and personal look at the extraordinary life and soul of a gifted man living in a unique time. After growing up in a loving, Christian home and attending Bucknell University under the careful watch of his childhood pastor, Mathewson struggled to find his footing in the unsavory world of professional baseball. Seen as an “intellectual college boy” whose shy personality was misinterpreted as an aloof arrogance, Mathewson’s faith and character were put to the test. Through strong will and an unusual partnership with John McGraw—a manager his exact opposite in everything but a desire to succeed and a fervent belief in God—Christy became the most admired and respected man on his team.

Christy Mathewson, the Christian Gentleman features details on Christy’s childhood and college years not documented by other sports historians—information discovered by the author in Mathewson’s hometown, the churches he attended, and college archives. Including timeless images, this book brings to life Mathewson’s amazing career, faultless character, and unwavering faith.
55.0 In Stock
Christy Mathewson, the Christian Gentleman: How One Man's Faith and Fastball Forever Changed Baseball

Christy Mathewson, the Christian Gentleman: How One Man's Faith and Fastball Forever Changed Baseball

by Bob Gaines
Christy Mathewson, the Christian Gentleman: How One Man's Faith and Fastball Forever Changed Baseball

Christy Mathewson, the Christian Gentleman: How One Man's Faith and Fastball Forever Changed Baseball

by Bob Gaines

eBook

$55.00 

Available on Compatible NOOK devices, the free NOOK App and in My Digital Library.
WANT A NOOK?  Explore Now

Related collections and offers

LEND ME® See Details

Overview

Nearly a century after his final major league appearance, Christy Mathewson is still considered one of the greatest right-handed pitchers in the history of baseball. Mathewson ranks in the top ten among pitchers for wins, shutouts, and ERA, and in 1936 he was honored as one of the inaugural members of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Playing in the early twentieth century, Mathewson was the nation’s first All-American hero, a man of Christianity inspiring the values of millions while bringing dignity to a game that had previously been reserved for rougher characters.

In Christy Mathewson, the Christian Gentleman: How One Man's Faith and Fastball Forever Changed Baseball, Bob Gaines delivers a close and personal look at the extraordinary life and soul of a gifted man living in a unique time. After growing up in a loving, Christian home and attending Bucknell University under the careful watch of his childhood pastor, Mathewson struggled to find his footing in the unsavory world of professional baseball. Seen as an “intellectual college boy” whose shy personality was misinterpreted as an aloof arrogance, Mathewson’s faith and character were put to the test. Through strong will and an unusual partnership with John McGraw—a manager his exact opposite in everything but a desire to succeed and a fervent belief in God—Christy became the most admired and respected man on his team.

Christy Mathewson, the Christian Gentleman features details on Christy’s childhood and college years not documented by other sports historians—information discovered by the author in Mathewson’s hometown, the churches he attended, and college archives. Including timeless images, this book brings to life Mathewson’s amazing career, faultless character, and unwavering faith.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781442233157
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date: 11/20/2014
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 294
File size: 5 MB

About the Author

Bob Gaines was an award-winning sportswriter and columnist for The Times-Advocate (North San Diego County) before he became the director of development communications at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. He edited The Beauty of Bucknell (2001) and has been the key writer for hundreds of university publications.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
1 – The Boy Wonder from Bucknell (1901)
2 – A Near Perfect Boyhood (1889)
3 – Breathing in the Smoker (1900)
4 – Dumping on the Yannigan (1901)
5 – Don’t Call Me Muggsy (1902)
6 – Matty and the Iron Man (1903)
7 – A Busy Mind (1905)
8 – Tinkers to Evers to Chance, Oh My (1906)
9 – Nickel Plate Road (1907)
10 – The Smartest Bonehead in Baseball (1908)
11 – A Deeply Private Grief (1909)
12 – High Spikes for the Chief (1911)
13 – A Fateful Day at Fenway (1912)
14 – Pebbles on a Barren Shore (1913)
15 – The World’s Longest Baseball Adventure (1913-14)
16 – Say It Ain’t So, Joe (1916)
17 – The Shadow of Greater Days (1920)
18 – A Family of Faith (1929)
Appendix A: The Ups and Downs of Pitching Genius
Appendix B: Old Giants
Appendix C: Deadball Players in the Hall of Fame
Bibliography
Index
About the Author
From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews