Rube Marquard

by Larry D. Mansch

Rube Marquard's life was touched by success and scandal at nearly every turn. In 1906, the teenage pitcher defied his father and became a ballplayer. Only two years later, John McGraw's New York Giants purchased his contract for the then record sum of $11,000. Marquard soon became the best left-handed pitcher in the game; over the course of his career he won 201 games (including 19 straight in 1912), threw a no-hitter and pitched in five World Series. Off the field, Marquard wrote his own newspaper column, starred in movies, delighted crowds by catching balls thrown off high buildings, and even appeared as a female impersonator. This book gives for the first time the true story of one of the most colorful and controversial baseball players of the century.