"Shoeless" Joe Jackson was one of baseball's greatest hitters and most colorful players. Born Joseph Jefferson Wofford Jackson on July 16, 1888, in Pickens County, South Carolina, Jackson went to work in a textile mill when he was around six years old, and got his start in baseball playing for the Brandon Mill team at the age of 13 earning $2.50 a game. He emerged as the star of the team and a favorite of fans with his hitting and throwing abilities, and moved up to play in the Carolina Association, where he received his nickname "Shoeless" because the blisters on his feet forced him to play in his stockings. He then made his move to the major leagues, signing on with the Philadelphia Athletics and rising to fame. This work chronicles Jackson's life from his poor beginnings to his involvement in the scandal surrounding the 1919 World Series to his life after baseball and his death December 5, 1951, with most of the work focusing on his baseball career.

About the Author
David L. Fleitz is a web developer and database analyst who lives in Troy, Michigan. A longtime SABR member, he has written nine other books on baseball history.

Reviews
"undeniably one of America's most remarkable hitters. The 80-year controversy over the scandal and Joe's fiercely loyal fans should provide interest in this new life of Jackson"-Library Journal; "provocative...carefully examines Jackson's life in order to distinguish reality from myth...a fine biography that clears up many of the misconceptions regarding one of baseball's most enduring controversies"-Booklist; "well-written and carefully documented...informative and useful"-Nineteenth Century Notes; "well-researched and excellent narrative"-Nine; "wonderful"-SABR Deadball Committee Newsletter; "very informative"-The SABR Bulletin; "astute detail...an eloquent and credible picture of Shoeless Joe and his place in baseball history"-Boston Sunday Globe; "excellent...definitive...crisply written prose"-Baltimore Chronicle; "excellent"-Elysian Fields Quarterly; "examines in great detail many of the tales associated with Jackson"-Baseball America; "thoroughly researched...well-organized, tightly written, informative"-The Blade (Toledo, OH); "a rich bibliography and copious notes indicates thorough research"-Sports Collectors Digest; "thoughtful examination...a masterpiece of clarity and succinctness...thorough...balanced"-Ohioana Quarterly.



Book Information
ISBN 9780786409785
Author David L. Fleitz
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint McFarland & Co Inc
Publisher McFarland & Co Inc
Weight(grams) 422g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 16mm