Our latest book discussion was on December 2nd with Jeffrey Orens who discussed his book, Selling Baseball, with Evelyn Begley as moderator. Earlier this year, Jeffrey Orens' vast research was published about the relationships between baseball athletes and commercial interests, specifically Albert Spalding and George Wright, beginning in the 19th century. Both superstars represented a post-Civil War unifying spirit and the promise of prosperity.
Spalding, whose pitching skills were honed in the rural heartland, and Wright, from the NYC area, promoted the excitement of the game to eager fans with leisure-time. As the game evolved into a business, the sporting goods industry emerged, led by these two superstars-turned-businessmen, into the 20th century.
"In his fine book, Selling Baseball, Jeffrey Orens offers a uniquely sliced view: how Al Spalding and
George Wright, superstars on the ball field, came to dominate its merchandising, building empires
that extended to tennis, golf, and, yes, roller polo. Highly recommended, even to those who may know a thing or two about sports." — John Thorn, official historian of Major League Baseball.
"In Selling Baseball, Jeffrey Orens provides his readers with a new perspective of the sport and the sports equipment industry through the long-overlooked relationship between Albert Goodwill Spalding and George Wright. The more than fifty-year friendship of these two on-the-field stars, Baseball Hall of Fame inductees, and sports equipment pioneers, transcended competition and launched baseball and other athletics to the status that we take for granted today. Thought provoking, instructive, and enjoyable—a must read." — Peter Mancuso, co-chair, Nineteenth Century Research Committee, SABR
We thank Jeffrey again for his presentation. For those who missed it or want to watch again, please click on the play button below.. [Evelyn Begley, Kevin Carter]
