They Shaped the Game: Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson

Profiles three notable baseball stars--Ty Cobb, noted for bigotry, temper, and vindictiveness; Babe Ruth, the great batter; and Jackie Robinson, who ended the exclusion of Blacks from big league baseball teams

Grade 4-6?Brief accounts of the lives of three of the most talented and influential individuals to have played in the game of baseball. Jacobs does a commendable job of presenting accurate, interesting information in the 20-plus pages he devotes to each subject. While the majority of the text describes the outstanding athletic careers of the three men, Jacobs pulls no punches when covering the volatile off-field activities of Cobb and Ruth. Robinson's son's drug problems are also discussed. While the author makes general acknowledgments of the sources he referred to while preparing this book, he provides no formal documentation. Eleven black-and-white photographs, most of which were obtained from the National Baseball Library & Archive, appear throughout. A brief list of further reading is appended. A useful volume that might lead young readers to more substantial biographies.?Tom S. Hurlburt, La Crosse Public Library, WI
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 6-9. Although this book does not exactly spell out how Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, and Jackie Robinson actually shaped baseball, it does present interesting, readable biographies sure to be enjoyed by baseball fans. Both Cobb and Ruth lived wild lives and had fiery tempers. Cobb acquired his baseball greatness through hard work and determination, but his tactics on the diamond earned him the reputation of the "dirtiest" player in baseball history. Ruth was born to greatness with an innate batting and pitching ability. He loved to eat, drink and party to excess, yet went on to achieve a reputation almost synonymous with the name of the sport. Robinson was the first black man to play with a major league. His doing so helped fight discrimination in other social and political arenas as well. The book characterizes Robinson as having "greatness thrust upon him." Cobb and Ruth were two of the first five players elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame; Robinson was the first black to achieve the honor. The book includes interesting details about these men's lives and marriages as well as some simple philosophical musings about values and "greatness." Susan DeRonne