Breaking the Slump: Baseball in the Depression Era

The first comprehensive history of baseball during the Great Depression, by the esteemed Charles Alexander. Read about the players, personalities, and political forces that shaped and guided America’s most beloved game, and allowed it to continue to thrive even during some of the country’s darkest days. It is a tribute to our National Pastime that baseball took on even greater importance to millions of Americans while so many suffered through challenges to survive.



Great teams like the Philadelphia A’s and St. Louis’s Gas House Gang are covered, as well as superstars like Lou Gehrig and Lefty Grove, the departure of Babe Ruth and arrival of Joe DiMaggio. The era also included some of the greatest offensive seasons ever as well as the most exciting World Series.



As with all his histories, Alexander captures both the flavor of the game and the times about which he writes; the result is both informative and highly entertaining. Winner of SABR’s prestigious Seymour Medal in 2003, recognizing the year’s best book of baseball history or biography.