The Dark Side of the Diamond: Gambling, Violence, Drugs and Alcoholism in the National PastimeRoger Abrams latest book discusses the vices of baseball and how they reflect American society. The Dark Side of the Diamond relates little-known parts of baseball history, presenting evidence of game-fixing and gambling dating to the mid-19th century. Cobb, Ruth, Mantle, Rose, and Bonds are both idols and flawed human beings. While baseball can teach young people resourcefulness, fortitude, teamwork and pride, it is just as likely to instruct them in violence, disparagement, cheating, and human frailty. |
Contents
In the Beginning | 19 |
Gambling on the National Game | 35 |
Game Fixing | 63 |
Copyright | |
5 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
according alcohol American Association athletes ball ballplayers banned base baseball baseball players baseball's batter became become betting Black Boston brought called career charges Chase Chicago City Cleveland club Cobb Commissioner contest continued course crowd death decades drink drug early fact fans field fight fixing four gamblers gambling Giants going Grounds Hall hand head John Landis later living lost major league manager National Game National League needed never newspapers nineteenth century offered organized owners park participants pastime performance pitch pitcher Pittsburgh play players Post president professional race reported result risk Rose rules season seems social society Spalding spectators sport stands thing third throw told took turn umpire urban violence wager White World wrote Yankees York young