One-Armed Wonder: Pete Gray, Wartime Baseball, and the American Dream

Synopsis

In the spring of 1945 Pete Gray, who had lost his right arm in a childhood accident, made his debut with the St. Louis Browns of the American League. Dubbed the "One-Armed Wonder" by sportswriters, Gray was a controversial figure from the moment he stepped on a major league diamond. Club owners saw him as a gate attraction for war-weary baseball fans; some of his teammates openly questioned his ability and felt that he cost them a chance to capture a second consecutive pennant. Gray was left to wonder just how good a ballplayer he really was. Though some may have doubted Gray's ability, no one questioned the cantankerous outfielder's desire to reach the major leagues. From the coalfields of northeastern Pennsylvania, Pete Gray fought his way through the minor leagues with single-minded determination. Despite his missing arm, he was the most valuable player of the minor league's Southern Association in 1944. His on-field exploits and relentless fire became an inspiration to the many servicemen who returned from the battlefields of World War II with missing limbs.

Copyright:

1995

Book Details

Book Quality:

Excellent

Book Size:

161 Pages

ISBN-13:

9780786400942

Publisher:

McFarland & Company,

Date of Addition:

01/29/24

Copyrighted By:

William C. Kashatus

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

Nonfiction, Sports, Disability-Related, Biographies and Memoirs

Reading Age:

0 and up

Submitted By:

Dave Wilkinson

Proofread By:

Beverly Cory

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.