The Federal League formed in 1913 as an "outlaw league" in six cities across the Midwest. In 1914 it added two teams and declared itself a major league. The league's owners "stole" players from the two existing major leagues and put teams in some of the same cities. Both the American and National Leagues struck back. After the 1915 season, with several Federal League teams struggling financially, the two more-established leagues bought out several teams. This caused the collapse of the Federal League.
The impact of the Federal League on baseball is still felt today. The league filed one of the first antitrust lawsuits against Organized Baseball. The case ended up in the court of Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, who looms large in baseball history. Although that case was settled, a later lawsuit went all the way to the Supreme Court. The Court decided that baseball is entertainment and thus not subject to antitrust law. This decision has had a wide-ranging effect on the business of baseball. For a physical reminder of the Federal League, one can still see the ballpark built for the Chicago Whales, now known as Wrigley Field.
This book contains biographies of a number of the key players and executives, and game accounts of some of the most interesting games during the league's brief existence.
The book represents the collaborative work of many members. The enthusiasm for this book on the Federal League was so great that 54 SABR members quickly signed up to make the book a reality.
This volume contains biographies on the following Federal League players, executives, and umpires: James A. Gilmore, Phil Ball, Robert B. Ward, Charles Weeghman, Jimmy Esmond, George Kaiserling, Al Kaiser, Harry Moran, Max Flack, George McConnell, Mike Prendergast, Joe Tinker, Art Wilson, Dutch Zwilling, Vern Duncan, Benny Meyer, George Suggs, Harry Swacina, Jimmy Walsh, Charlie Hanford, Gene Krapp, Baldy Louden, Al Schulz, Happy Finneran, Dan Marion, Al Shaw, Tex Wisterzil, Ted Easterly, Grover Gilmore, Pete Henning, George "Chief" Johnson, Duke Kenworthy, George Perring, Frank Allen, Elmer Knetzer, Ed Lennox, Tex McDonald, Rebel Oakes, Al Wickland, Dave Davenport, Del Drake, Ward Miller, Doc Watson, Ed Willett, and Kenesaw M. Landis.
Plus over 50 game accounts of amazing contests that should not be forgotten.
