Baseball's First Indian: Louis Sockalexis: Penobscot Legend, Cleveland Indian

By Ed Rice

Book Overview

Born in 1871 on Maine's Penobscot Indian reservation and nephew of a chief, Louis Sockalexis became professional baseball's first American Indian player. Ultimately, his prowess on the diamond... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1559497386
• ISBN13: 9781559497381
• Release Date: July 2003
• Publisher: Tide-Mark Press
• Length: 207 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Take This One Home!

This new book by Ed Rice has everything--stats, rare photos of Louis Sockalexis and Hall-of-Famers such as "Cy" Young and Jesse Burkett, and game-by-game summaries. We learn about "Sock's" short, brilliant career as an outfielder with an arm like a rifle and the fastest feet in the league. But too much drinking and an ankle injury ruined Louis's speed and fielding. He was let go after 3 seasons and drifted around the minor leagues. Occasionally he played well but he never regained his former brilliance.Sockalexis went home to Maine and worked as a logger and ferry operator. He also stopped drinking, and earned respect as an umpire for the rough Maine leagues. "Coach Sockalexis" taught young Penobscots the game and proudly sent five of them to the New England League.Ed Rice gives us a nice glimpse into "Sock's" later years when he was much admired by friends and colleagues. His fellow tribesmen honor him to this day as a great athlete. Enjoy this interesting bio as you count the days to spring training!

This Book's a Home Run!

This is the story of Louis Sockalexis, the first Indian ballplayer who had a great college career but fizzled out in the majors. Maine author Ed Rice tells us all about this player who became a national sensation in one short season. This exciting bio is crammed with baseball lore and play-by plays of Sockalexis's games with Holy Cross and the early Cleveland Indians. Without TV or radio, the fans had to imagine Sock's sizzling throws to the plate from deep right field and hot line drives. He was so fast he could steal bases at will. He had to face war whoops and taunting crowds, but like Jackie Robinson, he just quietly played the game. Sadly, drinking cut his career short but he holds a special place in baseball history as a pioneer and great player who could have become a champion if he'd lasted long enough. This book makes great reading during baseball season!

An Angel in the Outfield

For part of one magical season in 1897, Louis Sockalexis, "Baseball's First Indian," had wings on his feet in the outfield. The fastest runner in the country, he ran down line drives and made spectacular diving catches followed by bullet-like throws to the plate. He went on a hot hitting streak that seemed unstoppable. Though he was showered with racial abuse at first, he soon won over the crowds with his calm demeanor and easy smile. It helped that he was rugged and handsome. If only the magic had lasted!Louis had an alcohol addiction that soon made itself known. It wrecked his career when he injured himself and lost his lightning-quick speed and reflexes. The Cleveland Spiders (now Indians) gave him several chances to shape up, but he couldn't stop drinking. Finally they let him go in 1899. He drank himself off several minor league teams as well but occasionally showed flashes of his former brilliance. He played one complete season with the Lowell Tigers, posting a .288 average. In 1902 he went home to Indian Island for good. He quit drinking and won respect as an umpire and coach for Penobscot youths who were proud to learn from the best.Of the three new books on Sockalexis, this one by Ed Rice is the most complete, covering each game of "Sock's" career and giving us a close look at his last years among his tribesmen, who honor his memory to this day. Mr. Rice grew up in Maine with the legend of Sockalexis close by, and decided many years ago his story was worth telling. This book is a remarkable portrait of a gifted ballplayer who's finally getting the attention he deserves.

A New Baseball Classic

Who remembers Louis Sockalexis, who played right field for the Cleveland Indians way back when they were called the Spiders? Ed Rice remembers and tells us all about this player who became a national sensation in one short season. This exciting bio is crammed with baseball lore and play-by plays of Sock's games with Holy Cross and the Cleveland team. Sockalexis sparked such excitement on the field with his outstanding playing that sportswriters started calling the whole team the Indians. Crowds who jeered at him and mocked him with war whoops quickly cheered when they saw him throw runners out at the plate and pound out hits. He was so fast he could steal bases standing up.Sockalexis was a handsome and popular guy, a big favorite with the women. He played like a superman until too much drinking destroyed his career. A few minor league teams let him play but he mostly drank too much with them too. Sometimes he played well and gave the small crowds a glimpse of what he used to be. Then he went home to Indian Island for the rest of his life. He became a coach and eagle-eyed umpire for the Maine leagues, which means he probably quit drinking. Louis Sockalexis holds a special place in baseball history as a pioneer and great player who could have become a champion if he'd lasted long enough. This book belongs in every library!

A Fitting Tribute to the Man and the Legend

Although "Baseball's First Indian" is the third Sockalexis book to appear in the past year, Ed Rice actually started this well-researched biography nearly 20 years ago. His book offers stats galore as well as an interesting account of Sock's later years in the minors, where he played better than most people think, despite his drinking. I especially liked the warm-hearted portrait of Sock's final years on Indian Island, where he was an extremely popular coach, umpire, and community member. He even sang beautifully in the church choir! Though he will always be remembered as one of baseball's tragic figures, he was more than that to his Penobscot family and tribesmen--a model of dignity, grace and generosity to the end. A fitting tribute by a Maine author to a fellow Mainer!