Old Baseball Books

Applecorey · 07-11-2003, 05:46 PM

My father went up into the attic today and found an old book in a box. He gave it to me. It was called "The Baseball Cyclopedia". c. 1922. By Ernest J. Lanigan.

It is the first ever Baseball Encyclopedia.

Lanigan evidently invented or first encouraged the use of the run batted in statistic.

It's a pretty sweet find.

LivnLegend · 07-11-2003, 06:04 PM

Very nice find! I love old books like that. What you said about Lanigan is true. He was once the Hall of Fame historian but he was a statistician at heart and really wasn't even a real fan of baseball.

ill16ca · 07-11-2003, 11:10 PM

When I was at my cousin's in Chicago last summer, I found a book dating back quite a ways - maybe the 40's, but it could have been the 60's, I can't remember. I believe it was also the Baseball Encyclopedia. I actually found distant relatives of mine in there, which I found quite fascinating.

magnet · 07-12-2003, 06:09 PM

i have a book, which isnt nearly as old (1991 i think) but its called the baseball timeline. its a chronological history of the major leagues from 1874-1990. its pretty badass.

07-11-2003, 05:46 PM	#1
Applecorey Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 307	Old Baseball Books My father went up into the attic today and found an old book in a box. He gave it to me. It was called "The Baseball Cyclopedia". c. 1922. By Ernest J. Lanigan. It is the first ever Baseball Encyclopedia. Lanigan evidently invented or first encouraged the use of the run batted in statistic. It's a pretty sweet find. __________________ www.boardgamegeek.com

07-11-2003, 06:04 PM	#2
LivnLegend Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: 100% pure adrenaline! Posts: 5,624	Very nice find! I love old books like that. What you said about Lanigan is true. He was once the Hall of Fame historian but he was a statistician at heart and really wasn't even a real fan of baseball. __________________ Excess ain't rebellion. You're drinking what they're selling.

07-11-2003, 11:10 PM	#3
ill16ca All Star Reserve Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 690	When I was at my cousin's in Chicago last summer, I found a book dating back quite a ways - maybe the 40's, but it could have been the 60's, I can't remember. I believe it was also the Baseball Encyclopedia. I actually found distant relatives of mine in there, which I found quite fascinating.

07-12-2003, 06:09 PM	#4
magnet Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 5,029	i have a book, which isnt nearly as old (1991 i think) but its called the baseball timeline. its a chronological history of the major leagues from 1874-1990. its pretty badass.