Shoeless Joe and Ragtime Baseball

Veteran sports-historian Harvey Frommer provides another glimpse into baseball's good old days, or in this case, the bad old days. Frommer's portrayal of Shoeless Joe Jackson paints him as a natural baseball talent, "Joe Jackson hit the ball harder than any man ever to play baseball" - Ty Cobb, but also as an illiterate hick, using a knife and his fingers as table utensils, and an innocent man caught up in the greatest scandal in baseball history.

Frommer's account of Shoeless Joe Jackson presents a multifaceted view of the player, acknowledging his exceptional abilities on the field while also highlighting his humble background and lack of formal education. The description of Jackson's table manners, using a knife and his fingers, serves to emphasize his rural upbringing and lack of sophistication, contrasting with his prowess as a baseball player.

The narrative also delves into the infamous Black Sox scandal, in which Jackson, despite his talent, found himself embroiled in the greatest controversy to ever rock the sport. Frommer portrays Jackson as an innocent man, caught up in the web of deceit and corruption that tarnished the integrity of the game he loved.

Through Frommer's skilled storytelling, the reader is transported to a bygone era, when the lines between good and bad, right and wrong, were often blurred in the world of professional baseball. The author's comprehensive understanding of the historical context and his ability to capture the nuances of Jackson's character make this a captivating and insightful read.

Overall, Frommer's exploration of Shoeless Joe Jackson offers a multidimensional perspective on a baseball legend, highlighting both his exceptional talents and the complexities of the era in which he lived. The narrative's balanced approach and attention to detail provide readers with a thought-provoking and engaging account of one of the game's most controversial figures.

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