The Rhubarb Patch, the Story of the Modern Brooklyn Dodgers by Barber, Red - 1954

New York: Simon and Schuster, 1954 Illustrated with photos by official Brooklyn Dodgers photographer, Barney Stein. First edition, first printing. Signed by 38 former Dodgers, including: Pee Wee Reese (signed "Pee Wee Reese / The Captain") [HOF], Duke Snider [HOF], Dick Williams [HOF], Ralph Branca, Carl Erskine, Don Newcombe, Johnny Podres, and "Preacher" Roe. Publisher's green cloth, with spine stamped in darker green; in its original green dust jacket, lettered in white and yellow. Very good book, with bottom corners worn to boards, some rubbing to spine ends and top and bottom edges of boards, tiny yellow sticker to rear board, and some toning to pages; very good unclipped dust jacket, with a few light marks to front panel and spine, light wear to spine ends, a small closed tear to top of rear panel, light spotting to jacket flaps, light rubbing to top of rear flap, and light spotting and creasing to left edge of rear panel. Overall, an attractive copy signed by many Dodgers greats. In this book, photos by Barney Stein, the official Brooklyn Dodgers photographer for 20 years, are paired with anecdotes and insights by the colorful and legendary sports announcer, Red Barber. According to the dust jacket's front flap, "The Rhubarb Patch is not a formal history. It is a chatty, behind-the-scenes book, in which Barney Stein and Red Barber invite you to become a member of the hot stove league along with them." Pee Wee Reese was the "heart and soul" of the Dodgers, playing shortstop for the team from 1940 to 1958 (Hall of Fame Website). In his career, he was selected to 10 All-Star games and won two World Series titles (1955, 1959). He was one of the first players to publicly support Jackie Robinson's entrance into the MLB, and his support went a long way in mitigating the negativity that Robinson faced. Duke Snider won two World Series titles with the team and earned six All Star selections. Other notable signatures include those of 4x All-Star and 1956 NL MVP Don Newcombe, 5x All-Star Preacher Roe, managerial great Dick Williams, and Howie Schultz, who's one of only thirteen athletes to play in both the MLB and NBA. . Signed. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good/Dust Jacket Included.