SABR Digital Library

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Here’s our newest book in the SABR Digital Library

The Stars Shone on Philadelphia: The 1934 Negro National League Champions, edited by Frederick C. Bush and Bill NowlinThe Stars Shone on Philadelphia: The 1934 Negro National League Champions
Edited by Frederick C. Bush and Bill Nowlin
Associate editors: Len Levin and Carl Riechers
ISBN (ebook): 978-1-960819-04-8, $9.99
ISBN (paperback): 978-1-960819-05-5, $24.95
8.5″ x 11″, 240 pages

In 1934, Ed Bolden’s Philadelphia Stars joined the new Negro National League II (NNL2), which had been founded one year earlier. After fending off their intrastate-rivals, the Pittsburgh Crawfords, the Stars claimed the NNL2’s second-half championship and faced the first-half champions for the title. They defeated the Chicago American Giants to claim the NNL2 crown.

Over two dozen SABR members researched the Stars’ history for this book, which includes biographies of as many of the team’s players as possible, even those who participated in only a single game. The 1934 Stars featured future Hall of Famers Raleigh “Biz” Mackey and Jud Wilson; stalwarts like Phil Cockrell, Webster McDonald, and Chaney White; shooting star Stewart “Slim” Jones; and temporary fill-ins like Frederick Coleman and Clifford “Whip” Irons.

Majority owner Ed Bolden, a vital figure in the history of Philadelphia baseball, and minority owner/booking agent Eddie Gottlieb—who is better known to basketball fans—are both featured, as well, along with the history of the Stars’ home ballpark in 1934, Passon Field, named after another prominent local baseball entrepreneur. Also included is a complete season timeline, articles about select games such as the epic September 9 Satchel Paige-Slim Jones pitching duel at Yankee Stadium, and a comprehensive write-up of the NNL2 championship series complete this portrait of the 1934 title-winning team.

Contributors include: Rebecca T. Alpert, Richard Bogovich, Frederick C. Bush, Alan Cohen, Joseph Gerard, Darren Gibson, Margaret M. Gripshover, Michael Haupert, Leslie Heaphy, Paul Hofmann, Jay Hurd, Bill Johnson, Thomas Kern, Bob LeMoine, Len Levin, Bill Nowlin, Will Osgood, James Overmyer, Richard J. Puerzer, Chris Rainey, Carl Riechers, Courtney Michelle Smith, Jeb Stewart, Mike Whiteman, and Dave Wilkie.

SABR members, get this e-book for FREE!

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About the SABR Digital Library

For the past half-century, SABR and its members have led the way in publishing the best baseball historical and statistical research.

SABR members can download all Digital Library publications for free or get 50% off the purchase of paperback editions. If you’re not a member, click here to join SABR.

To learn more about SABR Publications, contact Publications Editor Cecilia Tan at ctan@sabr.org.

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Click on a link below to learn more about getting involved with SABR as a writer, editor, or fact-checker; new and experienced authors are always welcome to contribute to our Research Collection!