From 1895 to 1939, the Longview Cannibals were the most recognized and well-known of the East Texas baseball clubs. In The Longview Cannibals, the complete story of one of the most celebrated and colorful teams in the history of minor league baseball is presented for the first time. Follow the Cannibals from the early days when the team first acquired its unique nickname, through the incredibly successful semi-pro years and the rich professional history of the ball club, in this amazingly detailed season by season review. The story of the Longview Cannibals Baseball Club is filled with entertaining episodes both on and off the field. Relive the triumph and tragedy of local hero Grady White’s life and career in baseball. Trace the rise of hometown legends Jack Johnston and Sam West from the streets of Longview to the major leagues. Take in the exploits of Cannibal stars Hick Munsell, Ray Flaskamper, Abe Bowman, Merv Connors, and Tex Jeanes. Like never before, Jeff Barnhart describes what it was like to be a semi-pro and professional ballplayer in East Texas during a time when baseball was truly the national pastime and a central part of daily life in the small towns of America. Transport yourself back in time to hear the sounds of the crowd and the crack of the bat, as the Longview Cannibals take the field in the city that was regarded during the first four decades of the twentieth century as the baseball capitol of East Texas.
Jeff Barnhart has blasted a home run with The Longview Cannibals. The Cannibals performed when baseball was the national pastime, fielding semi-pro and minor league clubs in Longview for half a century. With exhaustive research and the artistry of a novelist, the author brings back to life the players, fans, ballparks, and games of a bygone era.
Bill O’Neal, author of The Texas League
Over the years, I’ve tried to soak in as much of the history of professional baseball in East Texas as possible, from the original East Texas League, where my father-in-law once played, to the Texas-Louisiana League. There were some great teams, players, stories, and unknown facts. But no one has ever captured the magic of East Texas pro baseball like Jeff Barnhart’s history lesson on the Longview Cannibals. It’s an obvious home run and if you love baseball, you’ll love this book.
David Smoak, host of KTBB Sports Talk Radio
ITEM # 000-10
BOOK
THE LONGVIEW CANNIBALS
A Complete History of East Texas'
Most Celebrated Baseball Club
$34.95
*Price includes shipping
Hard Cover 516 pages
Tenative Release Date
July 7, 2009
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