Skip to content

Bottom of the Ninth: Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Bottom of the Ninth: Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball from Itself Hardcover - 2009

by Michael Shapiro


From the publisher

Fifty years ago, as baseball faced crises on and off the field, two larger-than-life figures took center stage, each on a quest to reinvent the national pastime

In the late 1950s, baseball was under siege. Up-and-coming cities that wanted teams of their own were being rebuffed by the owners, and in response Congress was threatening to revoke the sport's antitrust exemption. These problems were magnified by what was happening on the field, as the New York Yankees were winning so often that true competition was vanishing in the American League.

In "Bottom of the Ninth," Michael Shapiro brings to life this watershed moment in baseball history. He shows how the legendary executive Branch Rickey saw the game's salvation in two radical ideas: the creation of a third major league--the Continental League--and the pooling of television revenues for the benefit of all. And Shapiro captures the audacity of Casey Stengel, the manager of the Yankees, who believed that he could bend the game to his wishes and remake how baseball was played. Their stories are interwoven with the on-field drama of pennant races and clutch performances, culminating in three classic World Series confrontations.

As the tension built on and off the field, Rickey and Stengel would find themselves outsmarted and defeated by the team owners who held true backroom power--defeats that would diminish the game for decades to come. Shapiro's compelling narrative reaches its stunning climax in the seventh game of the 1960 World Series, when one swing of the bat heralds baseball's eclipse as America's number-one sport.

Details

  • Title Bottom of the Ninth: Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball from Itself
  • Author Michael Shapiro
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 303
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Times Books, New York
  • Date 2009-05
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780805082470 / 0805082476
  • Weight 1.25 lbs (0.57 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.3 in (23.88 x 16.26 x 3.30 cm)
  • Library of Congress subjects Rickey, Branch, Baseball - United States - History - 20th
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2008043582
  • Dewey Decimal Code 796.357

About the author

Michael Shapiro is the author of "The Last Good Season: Brooklyn, the Dodgers, and Their Final Pennant Race Together." A professor at the Columbia School of Journalism, he is the author of five previous books, and his articles have appeared in "The New York Times," "Sports Illustrated," "Esquire," "The Wall Street Journal," and "The New Yorker." He lives in New York City with his wife and two children.

Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

Bottom of the Ninth
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Bottom of the Ninth

by Shapiro, Michael

  • Used
  • Fine
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used - Fine
Edition
First Edition
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805082470 / 0805082476
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$7.64NZ$6.88
Save NZ$0.77!
NZ$12.77 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Times Books, 2009-05-12. First Edition. HARDCOVER. Fine/Near Fine. 6x1x9. We're happy to combine shipping to save you some money. We're also always buying collectible book collections. Contact us for details. We're happy to provide pictures of any and all books for you, please just ask! American first edition, first printing. Contains number line 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. Virtually no wear to jacket. Jacket is NOT price clipped. Covers are clean and bright. Edges are sharp. No tears or creases. The book itself is in Near Fine condition. The binding is straight and tight. No remainder mark.
Item Price
NZ$7.64NZ$6.88
Save NZ$0.77 !
NZ$12.77 shipping to USA
Bottom of the Ninth: Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball from...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Bottom of the Ninth: Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball from Itself

by Shapiro, Michael

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805082470 / 0805082476
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Eugene , Oregon, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$7.64
NZ$6.79 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Times Books. Used - Acceptable. Hardcover The item is fairly worn but still readable. Signs of wear include aesthetic issues such as scratches, worn covers, damaged binding. The item may have identifying markings on it or show other signs of previous use. May have page creases, creased spine, bent cover or markings inside. Packed with care, shipped promptly.
Item Price
NZ$7.64
NZ$6.79 shipping to USA
Bottom of the Ninth: Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball from...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Bottom of the Ninth: Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball from Itself

by Shapiro, Michael

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805082470 / 0805082476
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Ventura, California, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$8.43
NZ$8.43 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Times Books, 2009-05-12. Hardcover. Good. minimal wear to DJ minimal wear on edges of cover slight peeling and tears on corners of DJ
Item Price
NZ$8.43
NZ$8.43 shipping to USA
Bottom of the Ninth : Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball from...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Bottom of the Ninth : Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball from Itself

by Shapiro, Michael

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805082470 / 0805082476
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$8.51
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Holt & Company, Henry. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
NZ$8.51
FREE shipping to USA
Bottom of the Ninth : Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball from...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Bottom of the Ninth : Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball from Itself

by Shapiro, Michael

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805082470 / 0805082476
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$8.51
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Holt & Company, Henry. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
NZ$8.51
FREE shipping to USA
Bottom of the Ninth : Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball from...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Bottom of the Ninth : Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball from Itself

by Shapiro, Michael

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805082470 / 0805082476
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$9.99
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Holt & Company, Henry. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
NZ$9.99
FREE shipping to USA
Bottom of the Ninth: Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball from...

Bottom of the Ninth: Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball from Itself

by Shapiro, Michael

  • Used
  • very good
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
1st Edition 1st Printing
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805082470 / 0805082476
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Benson, Arizona, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$10.21
NZ$9.36 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
NY: Times Books, 2009. 1st Edition 1st Printing. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. 303 pp. with Index. Illus. with B&W plates. The author wraps the superb story of the 1960 World Series within the intriguing tale of Branch Rickey's concurrent efforts to start a new league. Binding tight, text clean.
Item Price
NZ$10.21
NZ$9.36 shipping to USA
Bottom of the Ninth : Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball from...

Bottom of the Ninth : Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball from Itself

by Michael Shapiro

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805082470 / 0805082476
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$12.73
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Holt & Company, Henry, 2009. Hardcover. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$12.73
FREE shipping to USA
Bottom of the Ninth : Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball from...

Bottom of the Ninth : Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball from Itself

by Michael Shapiro

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805082470 / 0805082476
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$12.73
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Holt & Company, Henry, 2009. Hardcover. Good. Disclaimer:A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. The spine may show signs of wear. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. The dust jacket is missing. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$12.73
FREE shipping to USA
Bottom of the Ninth: Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball from...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Bottom of the Ninth: Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball from Itself

by Shapiro, Michael

  • Used
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used - Fine Condition
Edition
1st edition
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805082470 / 0805082476
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Kent, Ohio, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$15.32
NZ$8.51 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Times Books, New York, 2009. 1st edition. Hardcover. Fine Condition/Fine. Dust Jacket is in as new condition, apart from normal shop shelf wear - contains no tears or chips or other damage. Quantity Available: 1. Category: Sports & Pastimes; Baseball; ISBN: 0805082476. ISBN/EAN: 9780805082470. Pictures of this item not already displayed here available upon request. Inventory No: 58. . 9780805082470
Item Price
NZ$15.32
NZ$8.51 shipping to USA